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Why bulbs ???
I would prefer fluorescent tubes !!!

I am switching to 24 inch tubes after a few days,any reason why bulbs aren't good (I have them in a tiny bookshelf so it is nice and bright)

Great looking seedlings, Mikey! I was more under the impression that Wattage was way more important than distance. Distance is more relevant if they're not growing in an enclosed space. Bulbs are bad if they're incandescent (the ones with the glowing filament) since they have a very low colour temperature and they'll make your seedlings stretch out. Also most of the energy you put in gets turned into heat, rather than light. Fluorescent bulbs/tubes have a much nicer colour temperature and a much higher light output, per Watt of electricity you put in.

I use two 11w flourescent bulbs.

Great thread! Do you have any updated pics of how the plants progressed?

Hi Mikey,

Do you scarificate your seeds or do any similar treatment before sowing?

I have a lot of problems in the past with E. horizontalonius becouse I used to scarificate them with sand paper but that process induce contamination in the seeds and they tend to produce mold quite easily.

This thread is almost 9 years old, and the original poster hasn't been active for 6 years, so you may not get a response.

MiguelCactus wrote: ↑Mon May 30, 2022 6:56 pm Hi Mikey,

Do you scarificate your seeds or do any similar treatment before sowing?

I have a lot of problems in the past with E. horizontalonius becouse I used to scarificate them with sand paper but that process induce contamination in the seeds and they tend to produce mold quite easily.

Try shaving the shell and not chipping it. https://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=46833

This thread is almost 9 years old, and the original poster hasn't been active for 6 years, so you may not get a response.

Evan is correct. You many not get a response.

I have experienced to propagate E. horizonthalonius from seeds.
Since the germination rate of E. horizonthalonius was poor, I tried several methods.
1. Cracked seed shell by hot water, 80 'C.
2. Rubbed seeds with sand
3. Washed seeds by acid
4. Sown old seeds, keeping seeds in a fridge for more than 2 years

Only method No.4 showed an acceptable result, 80%.

I have kept seedlings, sown seeds in 2014. Please have a look the attached photo.
They are in 6.5 cm square pots.

Frank

Thank you all guys for your comments,

Hi LateBloomer, I try to sand the tip of the seed to help the embrio, some of them end crushed in the process but some other germinate in 3 weeks, the problem was that after germination they tend to get infected by some really stuborn mold (didn't respond to H2O2 and/or fungicides) and I belive that the sandpaper contaminated the batch.

Amazing plants are you sharing Frank, they look geourgeus. Further to your comment, those seed stored in the fridge for a couple of years, how much time did they take to germinate?

Thanks again.

Regards,

- Miguel

G'morning Miguel,

how much time did they take to germinate?

Since I use a heating pad, the completion time of germination process is 3 weeks in the case of E. horizonthalonius.
If you did not use the heating pad, it may be longer.

Frank

G' morning Frank,

And you keep the heating pad at around 70-90ºF (20-30ºC) or even higher?

Best,

- Miguel

mikey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:32 am One more thing .......
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS PINKISH POLYCHEPHALUS PUPPY ?????????
Could it be a variegated one ???

Last picture

How often should you water seedlings out of the bad in the shade?

Thank you.

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