Growing cacti from seed?

[Alan]

Does anybody here have any experience growing cacti from seed? I bougt seed for a few varieties, most notably Peruvian Torch and one of it's cousins as well as Peyote. No not for cerimonial use, more for history and beauty. Anyhow, I was wondering what the best method of starting seeds was as well as the best germination temperature and seed starting medium.

Thanks.

-Alan

[johno]

Never tried it, myself, but this looks logical...

www.cactus-mall.com/propagation.html

An excerpt:
"The seed may then be thinly and evenly sprinkled on the surface of the compost. The seeds should then be covered with a very thin layer of coarse grit. There is one exception to this in seeds of Mesembryanthemaceae such as Lithops which need light to germinate and these should not be covered. Most seeds germinate best at around 70F (21C). It may be necessary to use some artificial heat to reach this temperature particularly if the seeds are being started early in the year. If it can be arranged, some temperature differential between day and night will improve germination. It is necessary to maintain a fairly humid atmosphere while the seeds are germinating. Some growers achieve this by sealing individual pots in plastic bags. Trays can be covered with sheets of glass or plastic. Once the seedlings have germinated they can be introduced to the light and more air although direct sunshine is not a good idea at this stage. They should be kept reasonably moist and certainly not allowed to dry out completely."

[tomc]

Cactii start out life an an understory plant. All those cool barrel cactus you see in westerns started out life (800-1000 years ago) when it was cooler and moister. An' under an oak tree most likely.

Make a quick draining soil(less mix) an use a tall pot. I make mine on the sweet side of PH

They'll all pop pretty quickly and can be teased out and transplanted when still young

[Alan]

Thanks for the advice guys, I started them a couple of days ago in some small individual terracotta pots and put them inside a humidity dome, I keep them sprayed really well and am hoping for the best, time will tell though I suppose.

I had no idea that barrel cacti were that old. Do you have any history on them? I would love to no more about dessert diversity, something I am becoming more and more interested in.

Thanks,
Alan

P.S. Johno, I got those seeds out in todays mail to you, you should get them next week probably with the snow storm coming in tonight.

[plantsnobin]

Alan, I grow cactus the same way I grow everything else, same potting mix. I have a few small plants of Opuntia polyacantha-Almost Red that I will give you a start of. I got the seeds from www.gardensnorth.com She is in Canada and a great source of seeds. She has many native cactus seeds if you are interested.

[plantsnobin]

www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/pubs/brochures/pricklypear.html Here is some info on usefulness of the cactus.

[johno]

Found another link...

www.bcss.org.uk/seedgrow.html