How to sow desert cacti from seed - My huge seed sowing project!

Hi Guys,
so this is my long awaited how to sow cacti from seed video.
Some of my Instagram followers have been waiting for this one for quite some time,
and I'm glad to be finally able to provide you a video on how I do my seed sowings!
These videos take A LOT of work to produce & film, so I'd appreciate if you could leave a like and subscribe to my channel... If you're into desert cacti like Lophophoras, Ariocarpus, Copiapoa and the like, you won't be disappointed. I've got a couple of nice videos planned for you guys.
Also make sure to check out my Instagram @lophophanatica, I post a majority of my collection over there.
Other than that... I hope this video is of any use to you,
and if you have any questions, feel free to comment!
I'll make sure to get back to you.
Happy cactussing!

[@sats_nak]

love the video, thanks for sharing your method in detail. Hope to be able to get a few seeds from you next year. Again music, on point, sounds a bit like early Hawtin - awesome!

[@Lophophanatica]

My pleasure mate, I'm probably going to sell some next year when flower production kicks off again :) just hmu on IG 👍 hawtin? Don't know him, I'll check his music out! Thank you😄

[@sats_nak]

@@Lophophanatica Awesome. I'm following you there too so look forward to catching. Richie Hawtin - kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6HHi5JvfrCjrrc an EG.. he's prolific Not exactly the same, but quite close..

[@skifiafolspace3791]

thumbs up for the music selection and the rest just conencts nicely :)

[@Lophophanatica]

Thank you for the kind words, appreciate it brother! Glad you enjoyed the vid, it was a shitton of work 😁

[@Shaun.Stephens]

Did you ever do a follow-up to this video? I've looked but can't find one. I'm sowing my last 20 Loph seeds this afternoon using your methods. Cheers.

[@Lophophanatica]

Let me know how that works out for you 👍 unfortunately no follow up video as I lost a bunch of trays to a fungus, a bunch are doing fine and have been repotted

[@mrminer071166]

16 oz clamshells are the way to go. I like to keep them hermetic for 6mo-1 yr. That is, in a closed container with sterile sand and no water-loss. Just be sure to sterilize the sand first. SOW, and shut! (Some people rinse the seeds in a disinfectant solution, but i haven't found that to be necessary. No problem with anything getting in or out, no worries. Just give them a little bottom-heat. Then, to transition them, open the clam-shell lid 1 milimeter at a time. Hammer a nail into a 2x4. Set it down with the nail sticking up. Heat the nail red-hot with a torch. Gently set the clam-shell down on the nail 2-3 times. Then you have drainage, so you can irrigate freely. The key conceptual barrier is to think of the seeds as BABY ORCHIDS that need a moist, warm, steamy atmosphere. If you try to create warm and moist by adding bottom heat, the bottom heat dries your sand out in about two seconds. So it's best to go hermetic at first and not get onto the tread mill and then removing it by drainage and heast, until they have some size.

[@slashfeint]

Hi and thank you for posting this video! What kind of lights are you using for germinating the seeds, can you recommend a supplier and/or setup are you using? Thank you!

[@Lophophanatica]

Hello, I'm using cheap led grow lights I got from Ikea, but they're not longer being sold. I got them a few years back. Any weak full spectrum LED will do the job though 👍

[@Francadecriacoesecultivo]

😃😃😃 Muito legal, que organização. Amei o vídeo 👏👏👏 Também tenho Lophophoras e são apaixonantes mesmo. Já me inscrevi, abraços do Brasil👍🏼

[@Lophophanatica]

Hey, I don't speak portuguese,but I think I get the meaning what you were trying to say 🤗 thank you for the kind words and thanks for your subscription bro, I appreciate it 👏👏

[@alexphoenix6041]

i know it's kinda off topic but does anybody know of a good place to stream newly released series online?

[@karterares3064]

@Alex Phoenix Meh lately I've been using flixportal. Just google for it :P -karter

[@Francadecriacoesecultivo]

@@Lophophanatica seeing your answer now, I had said that I love lophophoras and that I really liked the organization of your copies. hug from Brazil.

[@alexphoenix6041]

@Karter Ares Thank you, signed up and it seems like a nice service :) I appreciate it !!

[@jethroe.davids132]

Hi Lophophanatica, thanks for this great video. I want to know if this can also be done for outdoors? Will i then need to cover the seedlings? For how long can it be

[@Lophophanatica]

Thanks mate, yes seeds can be started outdoors - but only in spring when there's no chance of frost. They need to be covered by shade cloth or provided shade to ensure they'll not be cooked by the sun. I have never grown seedlings outside as I've started mine all inside so I can't tell you much more about this

[@jethroe.davids132]

@@Lophophanatica ah cool noted For how long can one expect to grow them in these containers? will i need to water them weekly or monthly?

[@Lophophanatica]

For as long as they're healthy, and you only need to water when they look dry. There's no set scheme that you can follow that works for everybody since conditions are different for everybody and every groe

[@trent83]

бро) спасибо за видео...благодарю)

[@consciousnessfreedomdiscip8585]

Hi ! What is we use paper towel to germinate them and then let them stay that way until they are ready to be transplanted to soil ???

[@Lophophanatica]

I know some people use that method, but there are a lot of possibilities that this way can develop issues that you don't see if your seedlings are in a paper towel

[@FVb-zr4rd]

Hi lophophanatica. How long do you have your lights on for your seedlings? Ive got some loph.f & loph.d i want to sow indoors. But im not sure if i wil need extra light or if i can just keep them warm next to the window. (winter is coming..) Thank you.

[@Lophophanatica]

Hi mate, I've got my lights one for 18 hours, I guess I forgot to mention that. If you want to sow them in winter, you'll probably need some supplementary lightning since natural light isn't enough during these months

[@FVb-zr4rd]

@@Lophophanatica thank you. I will get some extra lights on them then. Recently discovered your channel and im loving the content 🌵

[@Lophophanatica]

Thank you for the kind words, appreciate it 👏 got a bunch of nice stuff planned for the channel too, so make sure you subscribe to not miss anything 😁✌

[@FVb-zr4rd]

@@Lophophanatica i already have. Its too interesting too miss out on.(huge loph fan) Looking forward too see what you will bring us next time. 🌵🌵

[@Lophophanatica]

Thanks so much man 👏 then you'll be in for a treqt ✌

[@delli6201]

Hi, what's your mix ratio please

[@alejandroardila5763]

Hi mate. We are waiting for your updates. Thanks in advance

[@Lophophanatica]

Probably not before the 6 month mark, I have some personal stuff I need to take care of before i can do any videos unfortunately :) i have a something different planned that may be even better though 👍

[@HeyHeyHarmonicaLuke]

I'd prefer to have my lophs evenly spaced out too, but the amount of time it took you to do that! Seems like lots of spores would float in on the air. I expect my sterilized soil would be more likely to be contaminated.

[@Lophophanatica]

True, it takes a ridiculous amount of time, to be fair I only to that on selected crosses, all the others get thrown onto the soil and then I'm done😅 maybe yes, but I don't think a lof of contaminates would penetrate your soil in the 5 minutes it would take you to spread them out. I don't sterilize my soil so I'm not really worry about that

[@HeyHeyHarmonicaLuke]

@@Lophophanatica I've started using a stencil, a sanitized piece of plastic with little holes drilled in it laying on the soil. I place seeds in the holes with dry, soft tweezers. Although it does take me just as long, I figure the stencil will stop a lot of air contaminants reaching the soil :)

[@nathansteffen7429]

Once you initially soak the medium and start the seeds how long until you water again?

[@Lophophanatica]

Depends on your conditions and how fast the soil dries out there's no set amount of waterings that works for everybody unfortunately

[@designbyjulian]

Hi is there a max amount of seeds per row? Hoping to sow some lophs and arios soon.

[@Lophophanatica]

Hi, no there isn't a maximum per row. They can get real crowded, but the older they get the harder it becomes to water them, as the water gets trapped between them and issues like rot might appear due to that. Other than that, go wild :) good luck on your sowing, hope the vid helps!

[@tonybucks5709]

For how many hours a day you keep your lights on? Thank you!

[@Lophophanatica]

Lights are on for 18 hours 👍

[@alejandroardila5763]

Hi bro. How long do you keep them in a high humidity environment? Thanks in advance

[@Lophophanatica]

Hey man, that always depends. Usually around 3-6 months, depending if there are issues or not. If there's no problems with mold usually a bit longer, but I check every couple of days on them to see what they're telling me, and then act accordingly. There is unfortunately no set amount of time since conditions are never the same. Hopefully this helps!

[@alejandroardila5763]

@@Lophophanatica thanks for answering

[@Lophophanatica]

You're welcome, if you haven't already a sub would be much appreciated ✌😁

[@BlueSkyViewer94]

What is the lowest and the highest temp that is optimal for the seeds?

[@Lophophanatica]

Room temperature is fine

[@nostik3623]

Trying not to burst into dance while watching

[@Lophophanatica]

Never stop the party

[@TheWeirdguy6]

Where do people get seeds from?

[@ianetheridge496]

Could you get by germinating seeds with cactus soil, fine pumice, oystershell grit, and smashed lava rock? Would you recommend sterilizing or do you even bother? I post on the page you admin sometimes on FB

[@Lophophanatica]

Of course, there are lots of different ways to successfully germinate seeds. I personally don't but oystershells often hold pathogens so I'd be worth a thought

[@ianetheridge496]

@@Lophophanatica Much appreciated!

[@yaddahaysmarmalite4059]

it doesn't even need to be that complicated. I used to use sifted coco coir:perlite:sand 1:1:1. I put it in a repurposed sushi container/tray. I found though that sushi trays are too shallow. Something 1.5 to 2 inches deep is better.

[@Pizzastevesgardenandmore]

Can u do an update??? 👍

[@tonybucks5709]

Hi, nice video! I have a question, i'm about to sow for the first time some Lopho williamsii seeds. I have a heat mat (i will keep it at 25-28 celsius), but the light, is it ok a regular led light or do i need a special growing light for planst? Like the Sylvania? Thank you!

[@Lophophanatica]

Hey, you'll need full spectrum grow lights for plants. Not every led light is suited for growing cactu

[@lophoflora]

Cool! Do you use fungicide? Thanks!

[@Lophophanatica]

No, only when there's rust fungus on a graft that the plant doesn't seem to be able to battle it on their own. I've made 2 posts on that matter on my instagram, if you're interested you can check that out 👍

[@lophoflora]

@@Lophophanatica Cool, I'm thinking about trying to graft some in the spring. Thanks! :)

[@Lophophanatica]

Go for it mate, super satisfying once they take :) just seen that this was on the seed sowing vid, i don't use fungicide while sowi g either. I just just hydrogen peroxide when there's issues like mold popping up. Good luck 👍

[@lophoflora]

@@Lophophanatica I also use hydrogen peroxide, and sulfur on the most severe cases. I confess I'm not a fan of grafted plants but, as I'm not getting younger, I need do speed things up a bit. 😅 Thanks again. 👍

[@Lophophanatica]

Haha i get what you mean, both have the pros and cons :) sure thing mate 👍

[@vrdlg4399]

Hello. nice video . Any page that you recommend to buys seeds.

[@Lophophanatica]

Hey, thanks! Yes, send me a dm on IG, I'll refer you to a couple of people

[@dragoniteadvanture8971]

no update, did you failed?

[@Lophophanatica]

A bunch of containers developed mold, others had a nasty fungal infection. Only a couple containers made it

[@RancidRobott]

Maybe should have ised the Fungiside

[@RenaissancePeopleNYC]

i cant take that damn stupid beat

[@Lophophanatica]

Then turn the music off or just don't watch it 🤷‍♂️ seriously, people always have to complain about somrthing. With no music, people would complain. With music, people complain. One music genre, people who don't like it complain. Another music genre, the other people will complain. Can't make it right for everybody, so you don't like it? Just close it then.

[@vakhelpasha5773]

Music has to go bud.

[@Lophophanatica]

Nah it'll stay, thanks for the comment though bud

[@punkysoso]

The Music is too loud and distracting bro

[@Lophophanatica]

Thanks for your input !

[@idlando]

Great video, but the music is somewhat annoying and unnecessary 🙄

[@Lophophanatica]

Thanks, you're entitled to your opinion. To me the music is fine and it would be crappier without any music. As I don't want to get copyright infringmenrs from facebook, music choice is fairly limited unfortunately

[@bushwalker6214]

This video is a great example of how not to make a video.

[@Lophophanatica]

And this comment is a great example on how not to make a comment. If you don't like it, move on. Plenty of other stuff for you to watch