Propagation of asterias from seed

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Paverpicker
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Paverpicker »

I’m new to this group, but not new to cacti! Here’s my good fortune after six days... close to 95% germination. I purchased eight different varieties of Astrophytum asterias from Koehres. They always have very fresh seed. More photos to come in the next few weeks.
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Six days after sowing.  80 degrees F, 90% humidity
Six days after sowing. 80 degrees F, 90% humidity
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Fatich
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Fatich »

They look healthy maybe light is a bit strong.
Paverpicker
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Paverpicker »

Fatich wrote: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:54 am They look healthy maybe light is a bit strong.
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I agree. The reddish tips on the seedlings indicate strong light. I would like to add that the photo is not the best... the seedlings are much greener. After another day or two, I will raise a bit the light up and away from the seedbed. The current closeness provides just the right amount of heat to reach the desired 80 degrees F.
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

G'morning Paverpicker,

It is a very good germination rate.
I hope you could mange seedlings well and could see some flowers 5 years later.

Frank
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

I sowed seeds of asterias related species last year. They will be repotted soon.
They are in 10 cm square pots currently.

1. Astrophytum asterias cv Oibo ruri kabuto
Seeds were given by my friend and sowed on 26th July 2018.

2. A. asterias 1st filial hanazono kabuto x red flowering asterias
Seeds were harvested from my cacti and sowed on 15th November 2018.

3. A. asterias 2nd filial hanazono kabuto x red flowering asterias
Seeds were harvested from my cacti and sowed on 22nd December 2018.
It seems these ones will be small plants due to more crossings.
https://cactiguide.com/forum/download/f ... w&id=70599
https://cactiguide.com/forum/download/f ... w&id=70600
https://cactiguide.com/forum/download/f ... w&id=70601
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Oibo ruri kabuto
Oibo ruri kabuto
DSC_1132 - Copy.JPG (142.73 KiB) Viewed 6009 times
1st filial red flowering hanazono kabuto
1st filial red flowering hanazono kabuto
DSC_1134 - Copy.JPG (146.69 KiB) Viewed 6009 times
2nd filial red flowering hanazono kabuto
2nd filial red flowering hanazono kabuto
DSC_1136 - Copy.JPG (148.71 KiB) Viewed 6009 times
Paverpicker
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Paverpicker »

Hanazono wrote: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:12 pm G'morning Paverpicker,

It is a very good germination rate.
I hope you could mange seedlings well and could see some flowers 5 years later.

Frank
Thank you for your comment. For me, the harder part is the germinating of seeds, and the easier part is growing them to maturity! I have decades of experience with Sulcorebutia, Lophophora, and Turbinicarpus, always on their own roots. A.asterias is new for me. I will keep on posting photos as time goes by. Cheers!
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

3 asterias related species of seedlings have been repotted.
They are one year old and moved into 10 cm square pots.

No.8: asterias cv oibo ruri kabuto

No.5: asterias cv 1st filial red flowering hanazono kabuto

No. 6: asterias cv 2nd filial red flowering hanazono kabuto

https://cactiguide.com/forum/download/f ... w&id=71082
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Oibo ruri kabuto
Oibo ruri kabuto
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1st filial red flowering hanazono kabuto
1st filial red flowering hanazono kabuto
DSC_1138 - Copy.JPG (149.96 KiB) Viewed 5836 times
2nd filial red flowering hanazono kabuto
2nd filial red flowering hanazono kabuto
DSC_1139 - Copy.JPG (150.19 KiB) Viewed 5836 times
Zonengorg
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Zonengorg »

Amazing all your posts Hanazono! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!! I want to know if you have info about the origins of the Hanazono cultivar, I know its a Japans region and your Nickname but nothing else hehe

cheers¡
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

G'day Zonengorg,

Yes Hanazono kabuto is an asterias cultivar of Japanese origin.
Histroys of miracle kabuto and super kabuto are very clear but None can tell the clear history of hanazono kabuto unfortunately.

Farnk
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mrc28
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by mrc28 »

Hi Frank
I have read your post several times and I think it is one of the most instructive ever read in years of cultivation.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the community.

If I can I ask you some questions about it:

Does the entire cultivation process involve the use of fertilizers?

How many times a month do you water? Do you fill the pans up to the edge of the pots? what kind of water do you use (normal or from reverse osmosis)?

You write that in the sowing potting mix (zeolite, scoria, clay, coarse sand) if you do not have the scoria available you replace it with pumice. If clay is bentonite clay, the sowing potting mix is composed of only inerts substances?

The 20% of organic matter that you introduce after the first year, what is it? peat, akadama or similar other? the cactus mix of the market how it is made?

What are the average temperatures min. and max. in the 4 seasons inside your greenhouses?

Finally a little curiosity some boxes that containing the pot have a wire mesh. can I ask what is it for?

thanks Frank and sorry for the many questions and compliments for your wonderful plants!

GRAZIE!!!
Ciao Marco
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

G'morning Ciao Marco,
Does the entire cultivation process involve the use of fertilizers?

How many times a month do you water? Do you fill the pans up to the edge of the pots? what kind of water do you use (normal or from reverse osmosis)?

You write that in the sowing potting mix (zeolite, scoria, clay, coarse sand) if you do not have the scoria available you replace it with pumice. If clay is bentonite clay, the sowing potting mix is composed of only inerts substances?

The 20% of organic matter that you introduce after the first year, what is it? peat, akadama or similar other? the cactus mix of the market how it is made?

What are the average temperatures min. and max. in the 4 seasons inside your greenhouses?

Finally a little curiosity some boxes that containing the pot have a wire mesh. can I ask what is it for?
Yes it does.
I start to use old chicken manure form 4 years old seedlings.

I am not familiar with bentonite clay.
Clay which I used is too light and I mixed also heavier permeable materials.

Water every week in growing season by 5 years old seedlings and every 2 weeks more than 6 years old.
Water over pots. Pan is just received drain.
Water is rain water collected from roof of greenhouse into water tanks.

Organic matrial for young seedlings is mainly peat.
Main material of cactus mix in market is pine bark whick is normally used for any plant potting mix in here.

Max and Min temperatures in greenhouse are:
Spring: 40'C, 10'C
Summer: 50'C, 20'C
Autumn: 40'C, 10'C
Winter: 30'C, 5'C

The wire mesh supports tubes.
The size of tube is 5 cm square and 140 cm tall and hard to stand securely by themselves.

Frank
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RichR
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by RichR »

Frank, Do you sterilize soil mix by heat before sowing? Do you ever use a fungicide on soil mix before sowing seeds? Thanks.
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

G'morning RichR,

I do not sterilize soil mix by heat.
I use a fungicide, 3 sprays during sowing.

1. Spray over soil mix surface before sowing
Sowing seeds
2. Spray over seeds and soil mix
Setting top dressing
3. Spray over top dressing

Frank
oriky
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by oriky »

HI Frank, you mention different variegate patterns here:
https://cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 1a#p338677

the photos is unavailable and i will glad to see the different between the Hade-han and the Hake-Jan and if you can give a little bit more information it will be great :):)

Thank you like always.
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Hanazono
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Re: Propagation of asterias from seed

Post by Hanazono »

G'morning oriky,

The degree of variegation is not stable normally.
It may be loose variegation and turns to green body or 100% yellow body and die.

Hake-han
Varigation pattern is similar to painted by a brush.
Varigation degree is very stable.

Hade-han
Varigation degree is unstable and may turn to completly green or yellow.

Frank
https://cactiguide.com/forum/download/f ... w&id=74106
https://cactiguide.com/forum/download/f ... w&id=74107
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Hake-han
Hake-han
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Hade-han
Hade-han
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