Cactus from seed?

[Seahorse]

Not even sure this is the right forum for this but anyway, entirely on impulse (how unlike me! ) I bought a packet of mixed cactus seeds today. I have kitchen windowsill space and an unheated g/h. Is it all likely I can get any to grow? I've only ever seen cactus for sale as established plants before, so I'm a bit unsure as to whether seed sales are a bit gimmicky/specialised or not?

[seasprout]

Easy Peasy.

The very first seeds i grew as a kid where Cactus seeds. They all germinated. And were very easy, sadly while away at college a collapsing shelf squashed the lot. I then progressed on to Coleus.

[Seahorse]

Oh, nice one seasprout (though not the shelf bit, obviously!). Thanks

[nick the grief]

Hi seahorse, I've bee trying to find some foto's of cacti seedlings but they are a bit lacking. THey are a lot easier than most folks would think. you just have to bear a few things in mind.

What I do is use a mix of 1part John innes No1, 1 part multi purpose and 2 parts grit ( I use Cornish grit cos I can get it easy) . Then what you want is a small pot ( about 2" is more than enough) and rain water.

what you do is steralise the compost ( 1 minute in the microwave is ok but make sure it's moist and put it in a bag) then leave it to cool still covered and boil the rainwater and leave to cool then.

1. Fill the pot with the compost and stand it in the water till the surface goes darker - it will have taken in enough water then
   
2. Sow the seed on the surface and then I sprinkle a little dry sand on the top but you could use vermiculite I guess.
   
3. Put it all in a plastic bag and inflate it and tie the end ( or use the self seal bags)
   
4. Put it somewhere warm.

As you don't have a propagator or lights I would leave it till April it should be OK then resist the urge to keep opening the bags and if the seed it reasonably fresh you should get something in a couple of weeks. Leave them in the bags and don't let them get too much sun - despite what you think they grow in the shade when they are seedlings

And keep them warm through the winter then when they have got to the stage where they are touching, you can pot them up in a similar mix ( but 50:50 JI no2 & grit) next year in either seperate pots, 24 cell trays or an ordinary seed tray.

Here's some I grew earlier ...

[quark1]

I bought some mixed varieties last year with the intention of starting this year - I'll let you know how I get on.

[seasprout]

Actually, you've got me thinking about sowing some more.

[nick the grief]

Don't bother Seasprout ... I'll send you some seedlings instead ! I could doo with a bit of room in the greenhouse ...

[shirlthegirl43]

My son loves cacti and we sowed a packet of mixed seeds last year with no luck whatever. We used cactus compost but didn't sterilise it - would that have been the problem? Didn't use rainwater either but did use filtered.

[quark1]

Nick - your tray of seedlings most impressive!

How long from sowing/germination to get to that sweet diddy stage?

What time of year did you start them? Any extra heat needed?

[jools]

This is interesting. I have just orederd a packet of seeds. Am hoping to be able to sell some plants at the school fete in summer. Do you think there is any chance at all of me doing this??
Jools

[nick the grief]

Hi Jools - Maybe next years fete - They don't grow quick ...

[nick the grief]

Nick - your tray of seedlings most impressive!

How long from sowing/germination to get to that sweet diddy stage?

What time of year did you start them? Any extra heat needed?

You can start them at anytime really they do need the right sort of temperatures but light is the main thing. I normaly sow mine in early spring but thats because I've got room in the greenhouse this time of year with all the other stuff! If you so in the summer you'll need to keep them warm and moist thru the winter (growing basically) as they won't be big enough to survive the resting of winter. then year 2 I treat them like my others - no water from about October till April ish depending on weather. If you keep them dry most of the North American Cacti will stand a cold greenhouse but the ones from South America can require it a bit warmer. There are varieties that you can grow in the garden but they really need well drained soil and idealy a bit of cover to keep the rain off - It's the combination of damp and cold thats the killer not just cold.

If you want to have a serious crack at growing from seed the easiest way is to construct a small box, paint it white inside an put a low energy bulb in it and this should provide enough light and heat for growing. But it can be done on the windowsill.

The ones in the tray were probably 6 months old I guess ( sown the previous summer) and I pricked them out that spring to grow on.

[Seahorse]

Thanks for all the great advice Nick!

[jools]

Yes, thanks for the advice, Nick. I'll be raising money for various schools for some years to come, so I can wait!
Jools

[quark1]

Nick - a mine of prickly info as usual - many thanks!