New batch of cacti, sowed a month ago, 20th May.
Seeds were kindly provided by JFabiao, neat species such as Strombocactus disciformis, Epithelantha micromeris, Acharagma aguirreanum and 11 different Turbinicarpus.
Sowing mix is pure mineral, different kinds of gravel and grit, no loam or soil of any kind. Temperatures here ranging from 10 to 25°C.
The sowing method was also suggested by JFabiao and apparently it works fine!
Pots were filled with the prepared sowing mix, and seeds were surface sown. The pots were put in a container with water in such a way that the water level reaches about 1/3 of the pot (substrate) height:
They were left in the water container for about 15 days, time that showed to be necessary for about half of the seeds to sprout. Then, the pots were taken out of the container and I let them dry until the surface of the substrate looks completely dry, and then the pots were put again in the water container to get damp again.
The idea is to provide short periods of drought between periods of humidity, and slowly increase the drought periods.
Getting dry (the pots on the right side are dry and are going to be immersed in the water container soon):
No sterilization at all, no caps or bags. Apparently the open pots, with short periods of drought, are not the ideal environment for pathogens' development.
Germination was good, I’m very happy with the results, moreover considering the long trip and delay in Brazilian’ customs:
Some pictures:
T. valdezianus:
T. macrochele:
T. pseudomacrochele:
Just after sprouting
30 days after
T. schwarzii:
E. micromeris: