Sandoval at Fresno - Cactus Seed Germination

Karl Church 64kkmjr@gmail.com
Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:39:29 PDT
It has a large underground storage organ, so It sounds like a bulb plants
Karl
On Jun 14, 2013 9:40 PM, "Eugene Zielinski" <eez55@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Karl.
> I appreciate the opinion, but this has not worked for me.  In fact, my
> failures using "a thin layer of sand" are what led me to investigate the
> effect of light on germination.
> I used to sow cactus seed the traditional way.  Use a nice inorganic soil
> mix, sow the seed on the surface, and just cover with grit.  I used a layer
> of silica type grit, just enough so that I couldn't see the seed.  I
> watered and placed the pots under fluorescent lights.  The usual result:
> low and slow germination, or none at all.  (One species that wouldn't
> germinate for me using this procedure was Escobaria minima.  Uncovered,
> seed germination was close to 100%.)
> I could see where a layer of sand may be useful if sowing the seed
> outdoors, under intense light.  I don't think the resultant seedlings would
> appreciate the high light levels, though.
> Not every cactus species needs light for germination.  However, I will be
> looking at the effect of light whenever I sow cactus seed in the future.
> OK -- back to bulbs.  (Does Peniocereus greggii count?)
>
> Eugene Zielinski
> Prescott Valley, AZ
>
>
>
> > [Original Message]
> > From: Karl Church <64kkmjr@gmail.com>
> > To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
> > Date: 6/11/2013 9:13:53 PM
> > Subject: Re: [pbs] Sandoval at Fresno - Cactus Seed Germination
> >
> > Eugene, a light covering of sand (1-2 mm) is considerably different than
> a
> > light proof covering of aluminum foil. You might find sand is quite
> > translucent & provides stability to the small seeds.
> > Karl
> > On Jun 11, 2013 8:22 PM, "Eugene Zielinski" <eez55@earthlink.net> wrote:
> >
> > > David, and others.
> > > I realize this is a bit off topic, but I want to share something I
> learned
> > > about cactus seed germination, by experiment.  The smaller globular
> cacti,
> > > such as Mammillaria, Matucana, Lobivia, Trichocereus, etc. require
> LIGHT
> > > for germination.  Therefore, covering the seed with "a thin layer of
> sand"
> > > will almost guarantee erratic germination...
> >
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