General
To
sow
To
sow but where
Grafting
Seed
harvesting
Storing seed
Labeling
Water
Cultivation climate
Growth season
Diseases
Importation
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As can be expected
also the start of the germination process of the seeds of
Discocacti requires a higher temperature. It is
known that plants from warm climates have a higher temperature optimum for
germination then plants from a milder climate.
Years of experience have learned us that the best
germination temperature is +/- 30oC. Above 30oC
will accelerate the germination process, but will lower the germination
percentage rapidly. Among the various sow method's are many used with
success.
Most important are: a sterile sow substrate, the
composition of it, as well as the disinfection of the seed.
Hereunder in brief a successfull method used
by us:
- As sow substrate we use a substrate as sterile as possible.
- The seeds are de-contaminated by
immersing them a few minutes in water
with a dissolved seed disinfectant and rinsed in cooled down to 25oC. cooked water; let dry
and sow within 2 days
-
- Sow widely if you do not wish to transplant the first year,
apply a light pressure and cover with river gravel of 1" 2 mm,
water carefully with cooked rainwater with a solution of fungicide (TMTD
of CAPTAN).
- Seed that is obtained from
commercial suppliers has in many cases been stored for a long time in
chilled conditions and should be used immediately after reception.
Otherwise
the germinative power will strongly reduced .
- When one has obtained only a
small amount of seed its best to graft the small plants within 3 to 4
months on i.e.. Pereskiopsis by this way the risk of loss is greatly
reduced.
- There is a simpler method in order to come to an acceptable result.
This method is also used for other cacti. The risk for infection is
also reduced. The method is as follows: sow in plastic pots
and after carefully moistening, cover it with a plastic bag and close it as good
as possible.
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