Special cactus germination practices

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stefan m.
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Special cactus germination practices

Post by stefan m. »

While discussing growing opuntia via seed, ive been told that some need be soaked in vinegar, others say http://www.koehres-kaktus.de/shop/Cactu ... 1_347.html
So, to a lot of growers growing rarity from seed, any specific things i should to the seeds prior to germination?
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7george
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Re: Special cactus germination practices

Post by 7george »

Seeds of many cacti species contain inhibitors of germination so multi-time soaking /washing/rinsing is good to perform before sowing. Without this you may have delayed or prolonged germination lasting months or even years. This adaptation spreads cacti generation among different years or seasons and prevents it from early germination before optimal terms come. Rains, soil & bacteria do this job in the nature but in culture we want everything to happen right away.

http://www.new-mexico.cactus-society.or ... ev1-09.pdf

https://opuntiads.com/oblog/wp-content/ ... nation.pdf

Sclerocacti are special too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGG2-YpGDWA
Last edited by 7george on Mon Jan 01, 2018 9:01 pm, edited 3 times in total.
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
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majcka
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Re: Special cactus germination practices

Post by majcka »

Adansonia for example is usually crushed by an elephant foot to germinate. I cant get an elephant here to do it for me...I must do something else instead. :lol: :lol: :lol: I usually crush a seed a bit and soak it in warm water before I sow it. But still didn't get one to germinate. ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

Same thing with cacti seeds. You have to triger them somehow. Some seeds need to be frozen before they germinate properly. ] #-o
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teo
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Re: Special cactus germination practices

Post by teo »

I have also tried Adansonia seeds without succsess. Both scarification and treatment with hot water. I read one report that recommended soaking in concentrated sulphuric acid for 12 hours - but I have no access to that :-(
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stefan m.
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Re: Special cactus germination practices

Post by stefan m. »

....Now they tell me about the baobab......
btw thanks 7george
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majcka
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Re: Special cactus germination practices

Post by majcka »

teo wrote:I have also tried Adansonia seeds without succsess. Both scarification and treatment with hot water. I read one report that recommended soaking in concentrated sulphuric acid for 12 hours - but I have no access to that :-(
I think I will try Coke next time. :-k
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Re: Special cactus germination practices

Post by majcka »

stefan m. wrote:....Now they tell me about the baobab......
btw thanks 7george
Baobab is just for example, how come you have to use some strange methods to deal with seeds. Some opuntias (I think opuntias) can only germinate if birds digest them first...now how about that???? You have to simulate that....so....instead of digest you have to put it through some kind of stratification or crushing or something.
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stefan m.
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Re: Special cactus germination practices

Post by stefan m. »

Tried germinating it. Not from a reliable source, but it didnt work anyway. Now i find out there was a quirk to it too.
pretty certain now that pandanus has a similar twist too.
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teo
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Re: Special cactus germination practices

Post by teo »

You can often find advice (good or not so good) if googling 'species name' + seed + germination. Often also the big seed resellers have some info on germination on their sites
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stefan m.
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Re: Special cactus germination practices

Post by stefan m. »

Somewhat somewhat soak for 24 hours, expect seedling in couple of months. Needless to say, ive tried out most of them. This time
- ill try to perforate one of the seeds
- soak it for longer that 24 hours
- leave it in the outside to germinate
- soak it in willow tea.
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