D'awww Baby Cacti

[meka]

I started some cactus seeds a few weeks ago and I've had 10 germinate so far. The seeds came from a mixed pack, so I don't know what these are yet. I just wanted to show the new babies.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/meganekapellen/6190196987/" title="Cactus Seedling by meganekapellen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/6190196987_b906214b20.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Cactus Seedling"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/meganekapellen/6190186623/" title="Cactus Seedlings by meganekapellen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6190186623_2892479773.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Cactus Seedlings"></a>

Edit: The seedling on the left in the second picture looks just like a saguaro seedling. Fingers crossed!

 

[pappydew]

Nice! I got a bunch from mixed seed packets last summer/fall to germinate. Unfortunately I kept forgetting to keep them moist so they went kaput.

 

[meka]

I don't spray them that often. I got one of those windowsill greenhouse trays that comes with the peat pellets. I took the peat pellets out and filled the tray with my own cactus soil mix. I poked a few holes in the plastic top for circulation. It stays plenty moist and humid in there. I spray them maybe once every two weeks. I'm up to ten seedlings now and there's at least one new seedling each day. I'm guessing I have a germination rate around 45% right now, which isn't too bad considering I have no idea how old those seeds are or how they were being stored.

 

[pappydew]

Yeah it got to maybe once or twice a month LOL. I guess I was too focused on the cp's...

 

[cpsammich]

Aww so cute

 

[meka]

Aww so cute

Thank you. I find myself opening the lid a few times a day to look at them. These are the first interesting thing that I've grown from seed.

 

[James H]

Those look like they are coming along great. Do all of the seedlings look the same at this point or are you starting to see some variations within the group. I have a soft spot for seed auctions and end up going for the mixed bags for fun.

 

[meka]

Thanks! At this point I see two distinct shapes in the seedlings that germinated first. The rest are too small to tell. There are 12 or so right now.

 

[UnstuckinTime]

So cute! I tried this a few years back, they were surprisingly easy to start (in my opinion). Unfortunately I didn't transition outside them slowly enough, and I believe there were also slugs, and they died pretty thoroughly.

Be sure to post lots of pictures so we can see a nice progression!!

-Cj

 

[meka]

There's something satisfying about growing things from seed. I'll try to post more pictures in a month or two once they've gotten bigger.

 

[lil hokie]

How are the babies now? They look adorable.

There is something so rewarding and amazing from growing from seeds. I love it.