Succulents and More™

Growing cacti from seed is quite easy, but it requires patience. Depending on the genus and species, it may take two, three, four, or even five years for seedlings to grow into flowering-size specimens. I already have well over 100 cactus seedlings in my care, between the German echinopsis hybrids I mentioned recently , other open-pollinated echinopsis hybrids (‘June Noon’, ‘First Light’, and ‘Flying Saucer’), as well as dozens of assorted Astrophytum asterias . If you got tired just reading this, I sympathize. However, I had so many spectacular echinopsis hybrids flower earlier this spring that I decided to harvest seeds from two of them. The first is a German hybrid, Echinopsis ‘Liskes Feuerzauber’ (in the U.S. usually referred to as ‘Magic Fire’). It debuted this year with flowers that blew me away: Echinopsis ‘Magic Fire’ Echinopsis ‘Magic Fire’ Some cacti produce seed pods that dry up and release the seeds when they’ve become brittle. To harvest the seeds, all you have to do i...

We’re all familiar with noodle cups: Santa brought me the cactus equivalent: a cup o’ prickly pears! The eco-friendly cup is made from pressed bamboo fibers and rice husks and is filled with a growing medium pre-mixed with prickly pear seeds (hopefully the seeds are on top). All I need to do is add water and keep it in a warm spot. I’m a sucker for this kind of thing – Santa clearly knows that. The Prickly Pear Cactus Ecocup is sold exclusively at Indigo, a Canadian bookstore chain, but Santa knew how to get me one because Santa has connections in Canada . Step 1: Remove the round piece of cardboard on top of the mix Step 2: Add 60 ml (2 oz) of water The medium is a “natural nutritional granulate and the pre-mixed seeds” Step 3: Slip the included baggie over the cup Step 4: Place in a bright and warm spot The instructions say to add 50 ml (1.7 oz) of water every 3-5 days. That seems excessive to me, but I suppose I should do what I’m told. According to label, “in about 18-26 days, ...

Last November, I ordered seeds of 12 different Echinopsis / Trichocereus hybrids from Patrick Noll, a German hybridizer who runs a popular YouTube channel under the name Cactus Jerk . Unlike most growers who sell live plants, Patrick offers seeds of his own hybrids on his website, Trichocereus.net . While the parents are clearly stated, there’s no sure-fire way of knowing what the flowers of these hybrids will ultimately look like. If you’re interested, check out my August 2023 post to “meet” the parents. I started with approximately 240 seeds and ended up with the 82 seedlings you see below. Some have grown much faster (and larger) than others even though they have all received the same water and fertilizer – genetics at play! My goal is to grow these seedlings on until they flower for the first time. Then I’ll decide which ones to keep. I'm hoping that at least a few of these hybrids will be as beautiful as this one, Echinopsis  'Paul Ehrlich' As if 80+ seedlings weren’...

For many years, growing plants from seed seemed to me like a combination of mystery and magic. I was so intimidated that it took me a long time to even try. And when those initial attempts largely failed, I became even more disheartened. In reality, though, starting seeds, whether it’s succulents or not, isn’t complicated as long as you sterilize your growing medium and keep the seeds and seedlings in a humid environment. Here’s what I do: ❶ Thoroughly moisten a quantity of seed starting mix like  this  or this —however much you think you need. When the mix is evenly moist, put it in a microwaveable dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes to sterilize it. ❷ Let the mix cool, distribute it across one or more small sealable containers (see examples below) or Ziploc baggies. Sprinkle seeds on top. Seal the containers or baggies. Reused food and takeout containers on the sill of a west-facing window ❸ Put containers or baggies in a warm spot with bright light , like on a ...