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Author Topic: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination  (Read 33481 times)

Chicsa

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Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« on: May 05, 2015, 02:48:02 AM »

HCC EDIT: TEK is 3 posts below


Hey I've been sent some amazing new seedlings. I'm curious how to raise them.

What kinda watering conditions for how long (i.e keep wet for x amount of time, then let dry and wet on x time frame)

What kind of lighting conditions (i.e. Should be in controlled setting -> shade -> full sun

Thanks cacti wizards :)
« Last Edit: January 28, 2016, 03:48:03 PM by happyconcacti »
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misplant

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2015, 04:16:40 AM »

pics of your seedlings would certainly help as some basic info...such as outdoor seedling growing conditions would be much different in Arizona versus lets say Idaho.  How big are the seedlings?  How big are the pots they're in?  have they been sun hardened?

as for watering, that too is a function of climatic conditions, pot size, plant size, potting soil medium etc.

how many cacti die due to lack of water vs how many are drowned from too much watering?

generally speaking i will introduce my seedlings to full morning sun at the 1" stage, moving them from a gh setting.  I let the soil in the pots dry out completely, then douche them sopping wet.  Sometimes they go a week or two with no water.  In hot desert areas 30% shade cloth is advised.

In my garden its survival of the fittest, as with mother nature. 
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Chicsa

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2015, 04:34:25 AM »

I'm in West Central Florida, currently in 2" square pots but can move up.

I think some general information in Desert + Tropical regions would be great information for the forum at large, and not just for me. I am about to begin starting several cacti from seeds so any information on the whole process is greatly welcomed.
Thanks :)
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misplant

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2015, 02:22:39 AM »

I start the process with a clean plastic tub such as this one



Then a add my choice of potting soil, the best stuff I've found for straight out of the bag use



approximately 2-2.5" deep in the tub


then i mix in warm tap water, 4-5 cups worth to totally saturate the soil


I rough level it & then spray it down really good with distilled water


then I add 1/4-3/8" washed plaster sand


the idea is to completely cover the wet potting soil, creating a barrier to the potting soil which water & roots can penetrate & isolating mold and algae etc from the decomposing forest products in the potting soil.  It also prevents the potting soil from drying out too quickly.



Then if I'm planting multiple varieties of seeds per tub, I'll cut some plastic strip dividers from an old milk or vinegar bottle



then I add the dividers, toss in the seeds, label & date the tags, and then spray things down real good again with distilled water



Then I put the lid on & seal it, creating a nice humidity chamber & put the tub on a heating mat under the lights.  I use two each, cheap 2 bulb 4' shop lights with cheap T12 cool white bulbs, although have considered switching out to T5 lighting. Tiny seedlings turn reddish with too much lighting.





I run the lights from around 5:30 am to 9:30 pm & the thermostat controlled heating pad stays on all the time, maintaining a soil temp of around 85F.

I'll open the tubs every few days & spray mist with distilled water.

When the seedlings get around this size, I open the lids and let the seedlings start to acclimate to the outdoor air



when they get around this size, I take them out from under the lights & put them on a table in my gh, which is nothing more than an open air, unheated  lean-to type with tinted plastic Suntuff UV coated panels. 


As can be seen from the pic above, I got in a hurry & didnt add the washed plaster sand and the continuously wet soil in contact with the humid air allows mold & algae to grow, as well as rotting some of the tinier seedlings. 

Another important point is not all seeds (or seed sellers) are the same.

I've learned its critically important to separate the live seeds from the dead (un fully developed embryo's) seeds, as this greatly affects germination rates.

I use water separation for all my tricho hybrids, pouring off the 'floaters' as they tend not to germinate, or if they do at not nearly the same rate as the 'sinkers'. I'll repeat the water separation process several times, eliminating all the floaters.

This pic somewhat illustrates that, a batch of 'floaters' is planted on the left side of the tub.  Look at the date all three batches were sown.



1 month old saguaro seedlings hardening off


and not all seedlings of the same batch grow at the same rate


I'm fortunate in location in that i can grow seedlings & plants year round outdoors using natural lighting, and only using artificial lighting for some seed germination. 
I dont think there's any way to prevent some etiolation from occurring with columnar's under artificial lights; the sooner a person can get them in natural outdoor lighting the better.
« Last Edit: January 28, 2016, 03:35:39 PM by happyconcacti »
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misplant

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2015, 02:34:07 AM »

and btw, the next time I get a



I'm effing outta here >:(
« Last Edit: January 28, 2016, 03:36:23 PM by happyconcacti »
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Chicsa

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2015, 02:37:22 AM »

Excellent post thanks for all of this high quality information and photos. I am envious of your whole operation :) very awesome
« Last Edit: January 28, 2016, 03:36:37 PM by happyconcacti »
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happyconcacti

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2015, 03:42:14 AM »

Thank you for the write-up misplant! very thorough.

As for the timeout, I'll ask around. I've never seen that one before. I would be really bummed to see you leave.

Hcc
« Last Edit: January 28, 2016, 03:36:47 PM by happyconcacti »
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Chicsa

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2016, 04:49:58 AM »

*BUMP*

Can this be moved to SEEDS & GERMINATION?

Also can be renamed Misplant Tek for others to easily find
« Last Edit: January 28, 2016, 03:36:59 PM by happyconcacti »
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Ian Morris

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2016, 04:55:06 AM »

Just to add on here, I was looking for this tek the other day and couldn't find it but it is now reposted on misplants website.

-Ian
« Last Edit: January 28, 2016, 03:37:11 PM by happyconcacti »
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happyconcacti

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2016, 03:40:54 PM »

*BUMP*

Can this be moved to SEEDS & GERMINATION?

Also can be renamed Misplant Tek for others to easily find

Done and done.
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happyconcacti

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2016, 03:44:05 PM »

Also, I'd like to add that I just did a huge sowing with this method and so far it's been wonderful.

No mold, no algae, no bugs. *knock on wood*

And some tips from another Trich seed grower who uses Misplant's method:

1) don't keep the seedlings sealed up for too long. It's okay to open them to mist with distilled (or otherwise non chlorinated) water after 4 or 5 days. Mist every few days

2) straighten up leaning, upside down, or sideways seedlings by poking a little hole with a toothpick in the sand near the fallen seedling. Use the toothpick to carefully put the seedling upright in the hole

3) Once the majority of the seeds have germinated and you've straightened out the fallen ones, add a thin layer of sand over the top of the roots to help keep them upright.


« Last Edit: January 28, 2016, 04:20:21 PM by happyconcacti »
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Bach

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2016, 08:58:16 PM »

Maybe make it a sticky?

This is some really good information that we need to be easily available.

Kudos to misplant!
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mr.miyagi

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #12 on: June 03, 2016, 05:57:31 PM »

I would like to follow this tek to the teeth.
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misplant

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2016, 07:54:21 PM »

just a follow up from one of my pics above, the scop x yowie seeding pic which was taken on 5-5-15 & seeds sown on 3-10-15

the first pic was taken on 9-2-15, the second on 4-9-16 and the third on 6-3-16
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mr.miyagi

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Re: Misplant TEK -- Trichocereus Seed Germination
« Reply #14 on: June 03, 2016, 09:34:53 PM »

when I have the funds i'm going to follow it exactly, Ill also be looking to you for the seeds as well.  ;)
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