What are the pros and cons of starting Astrophytum seed outdoors?

Discuss hardy cacti grown outside all year.
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Pereskiopsisdotcom
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What are the pros and cons of starting Astrophytum seed outdoors?

Post by Pereskiopsisdotcom »

I live in the far north and have for years always started my seed indoors with grow lights. This year, I got my seed much earlier than I would have normally and would like to entertain the idea of taking advantage of the free sunshine outside to get a leg up before they go back in the basement under grow lights.

How have you grown seed outside? I'm thinking east or west side of my house so they're not in full sun all day and maybe using a shade cloth. I will apply a humidity dome to improve germination but I think I risk cooking them in that. Any advice?
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Interests include: Rhipsalis, Turbinicarpus, Gymnocalycium, and Lophophora.
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7george
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Re: What are the pros and cons of starting Astrophytum seed outdoors?

Post by 7george »

I'm not sure that Astrophytum seeds will like outdoors for germinating. Pros can be with using natural temperature fluctuations that are not maybe available indoors. I also live in Canada but if starting astros would use the hottest days of the summer and put some shading over that dome. Spring nights are quite cool or cold in Canada and seeds may not like this. The dome rises day temps only and will not affect much night ones I think.
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
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