Features of growing popular cacti from seeds at home

The cultivation of cacti from seeds is practiced mainly in greenhouses and nurseries.

This method is applicable at home, but it requires the necessary knowledge and patience: the preparatory process is very laborious, and the growth of cacti in the early stages of development is very slow - flowering occurs only after 4-5 years.

Next, we will talk more about this method of growing cacti, as well as what to do if the seeds do not take root.

What species can be germinated in this way?

Almost all types of cacti are propagated by seeds.. The most popular types for growing at home:

1. Mammillaria
2. Echinocactus Gruzoni;
3. Prickly pear;
4. Schlumberger (Decembrist);
5. Spurge;
6. Echinopsis;
7. Cereus
8. Epiphyllum;
9. Gymnocalycium.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

Benefits:

• the rarest species of cacti reproduce only by sowing (do not give children or processes);
• the plant is more viable;
• low cost of seed.

disadvantages:

• the complexity of the preparatory process;
• some seeds (e.g. Parody) are very small;
• low percentage of germination and survival of seed (50%);
• constant supervision and care of seedlings is required;
• the emergence of difficulties during the initial growth period: decay; sprout sideways or roots up; shell adhesion; "flowering" of the earth and others.

Learn more about cactus breeding here.

Suitable time for growing

The most favorable time for properly planting cactus seeds is spring. Climate in spring more favorable for immature shoots: The length of the day increases and gets warmer. March crops for winter grow quite large and viable plants and are able to easily winterize.

When planting seeds in winter, it is necessary to additionally irrigate seedlings for 12 hours and create the most hothouse conditions for cacti: high temperature and air humidity.

Land selection

For sowing cacti, it is necessary to prepare a substrate consisting of:

• washed river sand (1 part);
• leaf rotted earth (1 part);
• crushed charcoal (1/2 part).

And drainage from fine expanded clay or perlite. Soil and drainage can be prepared independently or purchased ready-made soil in a specialized store. The main requirement for the soil mixture is lightness and breathability.

Cactus seeds do not have an infection resistance mechanism, therefore the soil must be sanitized before planting, having stood the mixture for 15-20 minutes in the oven, pre-rinse the drain with boiling water. Broken eggshells can be added to drainage.

Pot preparation

What is the best way to plant? It is better to plant the seeds in a shallow plastic container - up to 8 cm in height. Containers at the bottom should have many drainage holes. White matte-colored containers that do not absorb a lot of sunlight are best suited. The pot must be equipped with a drip tray to drain excess fluid. A mandatory element is a transparent cover. It can be glass or a transparent plastic cap (cup, lid), which covers the planted seeds.

Important! Before sowing, the container must be sterilized, subjected to prolonged boiling and treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Where to buy seed material and how does it look in the photo?

Seeds can be purchased at the store. or collect the seeds yourself. The first option is suitable for beginner growers, the second - for experienced florists with at least two unrelated plants of the same variety. Their flowers must be cross-pollinated and wait for the berries to ripen. When the berry ripens, the seeds are dried and prepared for planting.

Due to the small size of the seeds, it is difficult to determine in appearance whether they are healthy or not. The main criterion is the freshness of the seeds, they should not be stored for more than six months. If the seeds were stored in a damp room or traces of getting wet are visible on the packaging - such specimens are not suitable for planting.

Tillage

Seeds must be soaked for 12-15 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This procedure not only disinfects the seeds and prevents the development of the fungus, but also wakes them up.

Purchased material for sowing

Cactus seeds are worth buying only from trusted manufacturers and suppliers. The average price for a package of 3 seeds in Moscow and St. Petersburg is 25 rubles.

Landing procedure

How to sow correctly?

1. A layer of drainage (1-2 cm) is poured into the disinfected container, then the prepared substrate (3-4 cm). 1/3 of the container should be empty.
2. The earth is poured with warm boiled water.
3. Using a toothpick at a distance of 1 cm, holes are made into which disinfected seeds are planted.
4. The soil with seeds is sprayed with water from a spray bottle, but not watered.
5. The greenhouse is covered with a lid and placed in a sunny place.

Attention! Seeds germinate on the surface of the soil and do not sprinkle with earth.

Next, a visual video with the procedure for planting cactus seeds:

How to care for the first time?

• Spray 1-2 times a day.
• Ventilate at least 2-3 times a day.
• Remove condensation from the lid walls so that blue-green algae do not form.
• To sow aisle between crops.
• Ensure sufficient lighting - at least 10 hours a day.
• Keep at an average temperature of 25 ° C during the day and 20 ° C at night.
• Feeding with special fertilizers for the growth of cacti.
• If algae appears in the pot, the plant needs to be transplanted.

How fast are they developing?

How many seedlings grow? The first sprouts seeds give no earlier than 2 weeks, last sprout in a month. If the germination does not appear after the germination period has elapsed, you can remove the container in a cool place and stop watering for 2 weeks, then return it to its original place and resume care. Such a stressful method allows you to "awaken" the seeds.

There are species with a long germination period of 2 months or more. Seedlings of most species grow very slowly and even after two years reach sizes of no more than 4 cm in height and diameter. Subject to all the rules of care, a cactus can begin to bloom for 4-5 years of life.

What to do if they do not take root?

If cacti do not take root, you need to review the conditions of their maintenance and check for diseases. If infected specimens are found, they must be immediately separated from healthy ones and destroyed. The remaining sprouts should be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. At the initial stage, you can resort to an emergency change of scenery and make the cactus go into hibernation, lowering the temperature and reducing watering. Then you can transplant the plant and resume the care cycle.

Growing a cactus is not easy, but insanely interesting. A plant that survives the initial growth phase will be strong and hardened. With self-growing seeds, you can get unexpected results in the form of new copies of hybrid varieties.

Useful video

We offer you to watch a video with the procedure for planting a cactus, as well as information on how to care for it:

Watch the video: Video Demo: Starting cacti from seeds with Sucs for You! (May 2024).