How to grow cacti seeds?

I like plants · Sun May 30, 2010 5:08 pm

Hello everyone,

In December, I baught some Giant Suguaro seeds and other cacti seeds. I have planted them in soil but they all died. I have tried more than once. They germinated then for like 3 months they simply didn't grow and then ther died. It is rather strange. They are the only seeds that germinate. The other cacti seeds just don't germinate.

Last week I started a new set of Giant Suguaro seeds. They have germinated and are in a plastic strawberry pot. They are about 2 feet from a sunny window and I usually keep the soil moist. Is there anything else that is simple that I could do? I just want a Giant Suguaro cactus.

Thanks in advance for any help I get.

Kisal · Sun May 30, 2010 5:59 pm

What medium are you using to start the seeds? You might want to look at this past discussion of how to start cacti from seeds:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=112050

I like plants · Mon May 31, 2010 6:54 am

I use normal potting soil since it retains moisture better. I've tried cactus mix potting soil but, it dries up too fast.

Kisal · Mon May 31, 2010 2:14 pm

Cactus mix is intended to drain rapidly and dry quickly. The Giant Saguaro is a desert cactus, and evolved to survive in very dry conditions. Desert cacti develop rot when they receive a lot of moisture and don't dry out quickly enough.

My guess is that you are losing your cacti to rot or some other fungus, because of overly damp conditions. JMO.

I like plants · Mon May 31, 2010 3:59 pm

Maybe, but I've tried with cacti soil a few times and they died too.
Would it be a good idea to put a piece of aluminum foil under the plastic tray too keep the seedlings warm?

bonsai-connor · Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:36 pm

When I grow my cactus seeds I grow them out of soil from my back yard. I live in Colorado so it's what the cactus are used to. it's like crushed up rock and sand so it drains easily.

Kisal · Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:55 pm

bonsai-connor wrote:When I grow my cactus seeds I grow them out of soil from my back yard. I live in Colorado so it's what the cactus are used to. it's like crushed up rock and sand so it drains easily.

Natural cactus mix, right from your own backyard! I love it!

a0c8c · Fri Jun 18, 2010 12:58 am

Colorado and natural cacti soil? Doesn't sound right to me, wrong climate. You need desert soil, like Arizona, Texas, SoCal, etc.

Kisal · Fri Jun 18, 2010 2:00 am

The high desert in eastern Oregon has soil that would make a very nice cactus mix I'm sure Colorado must have similar areas.