Success finally

Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 119 Location : brisbane

Well i sowed some trichocerus seed about a week ago using chinese containers and they have started sprouting which is the first time i have really had good luck so i have just sown some more tricho seed along with copiapoa, gymnocalcium and lithops. This might be the way i'll germinate most my seed now, seems very easy.

Subject: Re: Success finally Wed May 21, 2008 3:32 pm

Good to hear. Once you have a system that works germination will most depend on how viable your seed is.

Just be careful with humidity, the small space in the contained means humidity will rise rapidly especially if left near a heat source (heat mat, hot water heater etc) or the sun. Too much humidity is the number 1 killer for young sedlings. they will turn a browny colour and sart to get soft and before you know it completely rot.

Trichocereus are a very good SP to start with, even as seedlings they are fairly tough and can handle adverse conditions better than most. Once established they will grow like mad.

Good grafting stocks too Smile

Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 119 Location : brisbane

isnt the aint to have high humidity? I also sowed 5 lithops varieties, not sure on their viability but hopefully i get a few germinating.

Subject: Re: Success finally Wed May 21, 2008 4:30 pm

The aim is to reach 70-80% humidity, the problem is maintaining it.

Joined : 02 May 2008 Posts : 93 Location : Bendigo Victoria

thanks for the details on humidity. Ive kept details on the general level of humidity in my polyhouse but dont know what the optimum humidity is with a large polyhouse mainly containing cactus and succulents. not seedlings of same. I have no means of heating or air circulation other than opening the 2 doors at either end.

Subject: Re: Success finally Thu May 22, 2008 11:01 am

Gracie,

In a larger hot house, as you said, the doors at each end usually do the trick. Before placing a hot house its a good idea to have a study of the environment. Where the sun rises, changing angle of the sun during summer/winter, and what direction the wind regularly comes from. Once you know all this you can find the best spot and facing for your hothouse.

For larger plants I would try and keep humidity <70% The thing about cacti is they are highly evolved survivors and many sp will survive in a much higher %.

Joined : 02 May 2008 Posts : 93 Location : Bendigo Victoria

thanks for that, I'll look back at my stats with a view to seeing how close I got to 70% and how long it maintained that level.

Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 119 Location : brisbane

just checked the copiapoa seed i sowed, sowed 5 seed have 5 seedlings now, still waiting on 2nd trich batch, gymno's and lithops

Age : 35 Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 181 Location : Cairns

Some seed appear like that may take months to germinate!

I will be very interested to see how mine go over the next few weeks. We've had a spell of awful weather - constant rain and temperatures falling to 18'C over night (brrrrrrrr).

Can I ask how are you checking your humidity Gracie and HN?

Age : 35 Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 181 Location : Cairns

Oh, and by the way, congrats on your babies hatching Smile