How we do it: Growing cacti from seed

How to sow cacti and raise them. Here we show how we do it
Deutsche Übersetzung mit Dank an Leonie Palik!

[@Emiliapocalypse]

If you turn on your English captions, there are subtitles. Found this out because I accidentally had them on :)

[@Cactusinformation]

Yes, indeed, thank you. We also would like to publish the subtitles in other languages, but need people to do the job

[@AliRaza-wx5fr]

Thank you so much, after subtitles i understand

[@OpiumWalls]

Ahhhh... Man without that this video is weak

[@karenwaldrop2307]

Thank you Amiliapocalypse!

[@homesteadnewbie1905]

Emiliapocalypse thank you 🙏

[@brianporteous6676]

Probabley one of the best educational videos i have watched without comentary ,,well done ☺

[@PlantFun1]

Absolutely love your videos! I used to watch them many years ago and you still have some of the best videos. Anyway I'm trying to let go of having to keep my seedlings humid for a long time and am trying your method of transplanting them into open air earlier than I normally do. Really hoping I am able to keep them going - my substrate is a little different and I'm not too sure how often they will want water. I've had some success with cacti and succulents from seed but I want to confidently get pots of seedlings that look like yours every time! Also I've been using your Sclerocactus germination technique and been having some success (still kind of low germination %, but germination!) so thank you again! The local cactus society recommends starting them outside and using the freeze/thaw cycles to germinate them but it's not the right time of year and is tedious so I'm thankful for an alternate method. Good vibes from New Mexico

[@Bootes1]

Thank you, such a helpful video. Now I can sow my mixed seeds. I just love cacti and can’t wait to see them coming up.

[@annabarro9212]

DRCEVNL, Thank you so much for this video and industriously answering all of our questions. I just want to say how helpful these are. I’ve been researching for two days now, a complete beginner. And this single video and the comments answered all of my questions. The video was so heart warming. Thank you.

[@Schlum]

Thank you Anna, it makes it worth doing this videos

[@OffGridInvestor]

VERY interesting. I have been sitting there trying to worry about soil sterilisation and fungicide and vermiculite negates those problems! Glad I watched!!

[@iren1772]

Excellent video: informative and generally very clear without words. And also...wonderful music. Very suitable for planting "kindergarten". Thanks.

[@desertplantsofavalon]

Such a fantastic video :-) I LOVE growing cacti from seeds :-) thanks so much for sharing and sending tons of love and Cactus Power from Ireland for a wonderful weekend XXXXX

[@OutdoorsAndBotanical]

Desert Plants of Avalon do you know what soil they used in the beginning for planting the Seeds? thanks

[@Schlum]

Vermiculite

[@OutdoorsAndBotanical]

Desert Plants of Avalon oh ok. thanks

[@tjbagoyo5813]

ohh soo you sometimes watch how other people take care of there cacti!!! great and love your vid

[@taherkashif]

hi sir, firstly thanks for the guidance. I have successfully grown mamillaria, melocactus, and golden barrel from seed. I have been successfully so far.

[@MASUMBILLAH-kd3qp]

Where are you my brother?

[@violinow1673]

Love this video. Thanks for sharing this! Yes, turn the caption on guys -

[@PapiSwing502]

This video was extremely helpful and gave me alot of hope for planting my first seeds. Thank you so much!

[@mrunalthatte7055]

Very Useful Video... 👍🏻👍🏻

[@marcvandeuren4597]

excellente vidéo, on apprend beaucoup sur la plantation de graines. Très bien aussi les sous-titres en Neerlandais. Bravo !!

[@frannatura]

Voce faz um trabalho maravilhoso, parabens!!!!

[@propergait]

Just found your excellent video on lighting. I'll save my questions until the end of the lessons. :)

[@Schlum]

LOL

[@maineoutdoorsman677]

Wow beautiful cactus

[@vijayalakshmikedarinath2978]

Very informative and useful too. Thank you.

[@eddie9903]

Very cool I am going to grow some from seed . thank you for you video.

[@tauceti8341]

Cool! I had no idea that cactus came from seeds. I've only bought them from cuttings before.

[@WayneTheSeine]

Great video

[@FherRodq]

thanks for the video, it is very useful. Also, how many time let the seedling inside the container before replant it?

[@Schlum]

Hi Fher. Sometimes a month, sometimes 6 months. Depends on the size of the container that is used and how fast the seedlings grow (and if you have time to transplant them). If you keep them in the container for more than a month you may lift the lid of the container a little to give them some fresh air and spray them with water with a little bit of fertilizer

[@sierra734]

Great vid those baby cactus 🌵 are adorable tfs best advice I’ve seen so far 💚

[@daniel022612]

Hello, what temperature do you have your seedbeds? Do you use any kind of light with a special spectrum?

[@SuperMaldita2010]

Perfect! thank You so much I now I'm ready to buy seeds.

[@Veganrecipeshotpooriz]

Very helpful video,thanks for sharing 🙏🙏

[@Linda-cf5ns]

Thank you. It's very helpful.

[@robertthallium6883]

Flugsand? Vogel sand? Where do you get these things?

[@cactihour6062]

Thank you for the vedio

[@markdale278]

Good video

[@vliegendevarkentjeshondent1147]

The bird sand is made of shells, is that okay? Or better silver sand?

[@salhak77]

Need to try this!

[@namibianodetombua]

I did cacti from seeds they grow well but in later stage they die. I didnt change them though. What age do you repot them? I did this year again with my own parodia seeds. They just sprung. Going to follow your tip. Thanks ever so much.

[@glizabethroshannev.boyboy8607]

thank you for the vidio

[@littlehomegardener]

Thank you for sharing your process! I don't know that soil (vermiculite) you use, but it looked good in the video. Baby cactuses look so cute, I would like to grow them now. :)

[@Cactusinformation]

It will give a lot of pleasure. And keep trying :)

[@fa6814]

nice video, thx for sharing. do u use LEDs to indoor grow? may u give more details on lightnings.

[@Cactusinformation]

Hi Fa, i already did :) : kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGSToI1pe9R0d9U

[@keithphillips6859]

Now i got to watch a video on how to turn on captions.

[@Cactusinformation]

LOL, Yes, i agree, that should be made easier. But it is the second buton from the left, 4th option

[@rbmfoods]

What a fantastic and easy way of germinating cactus seeds. And very beautifully made video. Thanks so much. Regards the fertilizer you use for the small seedlings, could you please let me know which type to use and how much ? Thanks so much! Warm regards from India!

[@Cactusinformation]

We use a weak solution of about 8-16-32-4 (NPK-MG). About half the normal strength

[@elenamonni1617]

Che spettacolo ..complimenti🌵🌵🌵💕💕💕💕

[@user-ox8cc6yj4s]

do the plastic containers to begin with need any holes for water drainage? is it bad to keep the box fully closed apart from when watering, i mean will the seedlings ‘suffocate’ 😶

[@Cactusinformation]

The boxes are closed. If you have clean seeds, just water and vermiculite and a clean box not much can happen. The seedlings will do fine.

[@norly211]

what a nature lover ! more power

[@norly211]

I like tha music Btw

[@vanpham6211]

Why do we need the vermiculite step to germinate first and then transplant? Could we just use a mix of minerals and vermiculite and just let them grow without moving them for a year or when they're much bigger?

[@Cactusinformation]

Yes, you can do that but you would need bigger containers to give them more room. That will take space. Transplanting is not a big issue for the small seedlings.

[@Cactusinformation]

The substrate used for the seeds is vermiculite

[@TheRajdeeep]

DRCEVNL sir after how much time u repot sedling in this vedio and soil mix in that pot plzz

[@angies9052]

Love this video - thank you!

[@UniquegardenwithDipanshu]

what type soil did you use in seedling

[@kathrynh685]

Unique garden with Dipanshu It’s been three years but a volcanic mix.

[@user-tn4bh3eh1h]

thank you very much for this vedeo great education

[@sararac3234]

After closing the plastic lid, do you grow seeds without watering them? When do I ventilate it? What should I do if there are water droplets in the box? Does it matter if there's water droplets? How long can you grow it in plastic?

[@mrunknown7567]

Wow nice skill

[@bmarchi1]

Thank you for this demonstration, do you reuse the vermiculite for another seeding?

[@Cactusinformation]

Hi, we do not reuse, as we want to keep the substrate clean to avoid harmful fungi

[@auxiliadoramaria3229]

Parabéns pelo o seu desempenho desse plantio de cactos👍👍👍👍

[@propergait]

Would love to know, what type/wattage of lights you use, how long you keep the seedlings covered under artificial lighting and what was it is you mixed into the substrate before transplanting.

[@GardenRudiments]

Great video, I really enjoyed!

[@pantocrator]

Wat duidelijk en leuk, ga ik ook proberen

[@rbc8839]

Wat other growing media can be used..if we don't have vermiculite

[@Cactusinformation]

People use all kind of substrates, but the organic ones are more prone to fungi unless the substrate is sterilized or an anti fungi is used. If possible use a mineral alternative like loose volcanic sand

[@desertblossomsage3586]

How are you touching the babies? Do they not spike you when they are that small?

[@Cactusinformation]

LOL. Not at all!

[@wicketchew4786]

Great video... if you had any explanation at all. Drainage holes? Watering? Type of soil? Etc... You've still just left it a guessing game.

[@Cactusinformation]

Maybe watch it again and pay attention

[@Cactusinformation]

And do not forget to put on the subtitles

[@sadhikarath]

Hey.. It was very nice!! Thanks..

[@santallum]

Excellent video ... but ..... I suggest wetting the vermiculite before placing it into the container and mix and wet your substrate before potting it into the pot

[@fneorab758]

Great video! I did 10 lophophora seeds with this method last year and they're doing great! 7 survived after transplanting, which isn't too bad since it's the first time I grew cacti seeds :) Now I got some fresh lophophora seeds from my adult plant and I was wondering if I can germinate them in wintertime on a south-west facing window sill (I live in Belgium) on top of a heating pad? Or do I really need some grow lights to germinate them you think? Thanks!

[@jimmywrangles]

7 from 10 is pretty good. I usually aim for 50%.

[@TrevLove]

I really appreciate this video! One question: after the seeds begin germination, should I be opening it up every day once in awhile to give some fresh air?

[@Cactusinformation]

Hi Trevor. There is no need for that. Only in case you would see fungi i would open it. Or if you want to spray some fertilizer.

[@TrevLove]

I see.. Thanks! So keeping the seedlings incubated for at least 3 months before opening and transferring to soil should be plenty?

[@Cactusinformation]

@@TrevLove That is possivle. Some people take them out for grafting after 3 months. As long as they develop well you can keep them in the same container. As soon as you think that you can handle them with your fingers you could transplant them

[@yellowvespa9267]

great video! Thank you for posting. I love towards the southern part of Texas. Do you think the seedlings would grow well outside without a cover over top or do you think it would be best to still have a cover over them? It get's rather hot during the day.

[@Schlum]

Hi Yellow Vespa. I think a cover would be needed. If you look around in Texas, you will not see young seedlings exposed to the sun. They all hide under (nurse) plants, along stones and rocks. Love Texas!

[@yellowvespa9267]

thanks so much!

[@ionutfloca962]

Very good...you do something special for Pediocactus, Sclerocactus, Navajoa etc???

[@Cactusinformation]

Yes, we chip them like in our video about germinating Sclerocactus: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3iqY2CPpax3jaM

[@matthewhaley2334]

wonderful video!!!! I recently got some Saguaro seeds, they sprouted in 3 days, rather fast lol but I was wondering how to transplant them up into a larger pot when the time comes. this video answered that for me, THANKS!! :-)

[@thenoicemango1827]

You don't trasnplant them until more than a month passes depending on the type.

[@hi-im-omar8138]

Really helpful video thanx

[@IrisMG]

Baby cacti are cute! Transferring must ouch, though!

[@Williams63]

Nice video, but where do I get Flugsand and vulcanic flour? :)

[@Cactusinformation]

The vulcanic flour is nice, but it will also work without. There are many other ingredients you can use to put your succulebts in. What is available depends on where you live. Some people use seramis, pumice, zeolite sometimes mixed with other ingredients. The more 'difficult' species are in general grown more easy in a mineral substrate

[@SameeraChughtaisBackyardGarden]

Very nice video.

[@tracybrewster9387]

does this process work for the schlumbergera truncata as well? If there are any differences what would they be?

[@Cactusinformation]

It works excellent for all Schlumbergera and other epyfitic cacti

[@callihoxie3690]

About how long should you let the cactus grow before transplanting them to the volcanic sand? Also, while they are in the container do you ever open it to give them air or anything?

[@Cactusinformation]

As soon as you can handle them you can tranplant. But as long as they are ok and growing you can keep them in the container. You can open de container if a fungus is seen or if you want to spray them with some water with nutrients to give them some food. Else you can keep the container closed so you will not loose water from the container

[@xuongronghoangtoan1666]

cảm ơn chia sẻ hữu ích của a !

[@fafasahat]

Impressive and Attractive!

[@tracybrewster9387]

Instead of flugsand and bird sand could 1/8th inch volcanic pumice and a fine grit white sand be used instead?

[@Cactusinformation]

Depends on the specie. Epyfitic cacti like Schlumbergera can be put right into your favorite mixture for these type of plants (but not too coarse at the start)

[@quercus_opuntia]

How often do you water? Do you reccomend bottom watering? I think my soil is too wet and the seedlings will not grow because of it

[@Cactusinformation]

Watering depends on the other conditions like temperature, substrate. Soilk for cacti should always be loose and allow it to dry in between water gifts

[@simone897]

Helpful video, sending thanks from Canada. I’m a beginner at succulents and I’m over buying seeds so I’m planning to harvest my echeveria’s one flower. U think it’ll work?

[@Cactusinformation]

Hi, i do not know if Ecgeveria is self-pollinating. For most species two clones are needed for pollination to set seeds. But the method shown here will work once you have seeds

[@ADAD-hi3vh]

Sorry but what soil are you using for the seedlings? Bird sand and what?

[@taherkashif]

with this method also help with astro, gymno, and adenium. as these seeds are slightly bigger than mamillaria seeds

[@jacklin7213]

Hi, I read through all your answers to the previous questions and they have been helpful. I was wondering if you can answer one of mine. I have a batch of 2 month old (3-5 mm diameter) strombocactus disciformis just moved to the transplanted phase (i.e. the volcanic rock phase in your video). How should I monitor the moisture?

[@Cactusinformation]

That is pretty large already. In general small seedlings should not dry out.The risk of getting to dry is bigger than the risk of being just wet. As long they are in the growing mood is would the soil not dry out completely. But it also depends on the other growing conditions like light, air, temperature, how fine or coarse the soil mixture is.

[@jacklin7213]

DRCEVNL thank you! For any seed disinfection, is this the same way as you treat sclerocactus seeds with bleach and coffee filter?

[@Cactusinformation]

For 'normal' seeds we use the method in our other video about cleaning seeds. If you buy seeds, you may expect them to be cleaned already and you can go through the procedure for cleaning seeds only once: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJyVkomCiNWfmcU

[@jacklin7213]

DRCEVNL thanks!

[@daisyd4146]

So I see that your answering comments and I have one of my own I just got cactus seeds and I'm planning to start growing them during spring (of course becuase its winter and it's cold were I live) and im wonder how you know when do water a cati seedling or how often I water it as its growing ir just in the beginning

[@Cactusinformation]

As long as they are small in the container you keep them moisture. Because the container is closed it will only need a small bit of spray now and then. Once they are in the open air it is better not to let the substrate get completely dry until they go into the winter and you can keep the temperature low. It is always a balance between how much moisture the seedling losses due to wind/temperature and how much to supply. If it is warm in winter (above 15 Celisus) i would still give them a bit of water so the substrate does not dry out completely

[@alphabetsoup753]

Beautiful video sir. How long will it take for a gymnocalycium hybrid to germinate? It has been more than 3 weeks that none of them sprout but some among my echino grussoni sprouted within a week.

[@Cactusinformation]

Most seeds germinate within two weeks time. If the seeds were not matured enough it could take some longer.

[@alphabetsoup753]

@@Cactusinformation thank you so much.

[@homeplantua]

Greetings from Ukraine. Please tell me after what time the first shoots of cacti appear. I sowed astrophytums 6 days ago and so far nothing happens. how long do you need to wait? thanks.

[@Cactusinformation]

These seeds normally germinate well. I would expect them to germinate within 2 weeks (from start). Most cacti germinate within that period of time

[@henryrivera4964]

what type of lights are used or what type of lights can you use

[@jahpickney2640]

Bruh did you make any holes on the first cup?

[@Cactusinformation]

No holes at all. The cup is closed

[@dmitrikapitonov5966]

Great video! What biological anti fungi (fungicide) would you suggest? Thank you

[@Cactusinformation]

When the seeds are cleaned well, you gnerally do not need a anti-fungi. What i use sometimes is a biological solution made of of herbs against soil fungi. But i do not think it is needed

[@myricelbalantin6427]

wow....sir how many days that the seed sprout.,?thankyou sir

[@andihilfers]

Thanks for the great video! I have learned a lot from you. Could you tell me where you got the tool for transplanting seedlings? I have been looking for something like this for quite some time but could not find one.

[@virginiacactus7801]

You can find them in craft stores with the clay sculpting tools

[@bazmekhyal6531]

tell me in which media u sowed seeds? and at transplanting whch media is used... aftr how much tym u transplnted that seedlings??

[@Cactusinformation]

Hi Tooba, please read the answers below and you have to put on the captions to get more information on this video

[@serenityrahn5656]

@DRCEVNL: sir, would you happen to know if the desert area around El Paso, Texas, USA is suitable for transplanting williamsii in an effort to help repopulate this species?

[@serenityrahn5656]

thank you for your reply. i'll find that book one way or another - i'm good at research. i have 6 3yo cactii ready to transplant and i have a nice spot picked out, under creosote bushes, far off the beaten path, so they have a good chance of seeding out.

[@andremanzay5312]

I want to know what you use to get them started, and then the mix afterwards.

[@Cactusinformation]

Hi Andre, please read all the answers already given. Click -more- at the bottom to find more answers given already.

[@halilbalaban1624]

What is the white powder you mix in the soil? How many lumens of the led lamp is enough for how many square meters?

[@Cactusinformation]

The white 'Powder' is bird cage sand. All about light you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGSToI1pe9R0d9U

[@gardendiary]

Nice video. It's really very useful. What's the soil mix you used for repotting from seedlings?

[@Cactusinformation]

We use a mixture of mainly volcanic sand, nowadays with some vermiculite and in some cases (like Sclerocactus) add some bird cage sand

[@gardendiary]

@@Cactusinformation Thank you for your response. 🙂

[@edwingonzalez6057]

how long are they in the germination container before transplanting?

[@Cactusinformation]

As soon as you can handle them, bt they can stay for a long time if there is no time. However they will not grow fast anymore after a certain time

[@edwingonzalez6057]

@@Cactusinformation thanks, great video

[@taherkashif]

Hi, good results obtained (especially freedom from algae) for mamillaria and astrophytum. I am attempting now to use the same method for ariocarpus trigonas seeds. Will the method be helpful with ariocarpus? Thanks in advance

[@Cactusinformation]

Yes, that would be the same :)

[@aliciaolayvar7206]

hellou! love your vid. I wanted to know if I could use this method to grow succulents from seed

[@munekun7465]

I was unable to tell In the video but when using this method with SOIL specifically for cacti do the containers need drainage holes in the bottom or do they NOT need any?

[@Cactusinformation]

Once the soil is humid enough and you cover them or keep them in a humid environment you do not need to apply water again. In this case you do not need drainage holes. If you work in another way and need to wet the containers or if you want to keep them in same container for a long time, you would need drainage holes so you can supply water from the bottom. Watering on the top would maybe flush the small seedlings out of the soil (unless you spray gentle)

[@tslrj1]

Can you tell me what other substrates I can use , haven't seen of the ones mentioned here by my side ? . Sorry for the inconvenience..

[@Cactusinformation]

Anything mineral with the same grain size able to absorb some whater. Using organic soil means you would have to sterilize it when you are using closed containers.

[@monsterkrruger1027]

So cuteee 😍

[@gayanimadu3686]

thank you so much....

[@karank2287]

@DRCEVNL, Hi, what is the alternative for bird sand that can be used forthe seedling? What ratio do we need to mix the volcanic sand with the bird cage sand? TIA

[@Cactusinformation]

Hi Karan. It is just for desinfection and I have used it only for very hard to grow species like Sclerocactus. Seedlings will grow in your normal cactus substrate

[@karank2287]

@@Cactusinformation thanks for confirming. Could you pls advise on the lighting schedule? How many hours of lighting is required?

[@cuppa72]

Great video. I've never seen seeds germinated in vermiculite like this. I guess in the early stages of germination all a seedling needs is the energy in its seed? Then when they are easily picked up, that's when you move to a free draining soil, approximately how long or what size is this? I've just ordered some seeds and going to try this method. What is the diameter and height of the pots ?Thank you once again for making such a great video x

[@Schlum]

yes, Tina. You are right. After germination you can spray the seeds lightly with water containing some fertiliser

[@cuppa72]

What is the size of those pots, diameter and height? And how many seeds to a pot is ideal?

[@Schlum]

The size is a couple of centimetres, but you can use also bigger sizes. The height should be enough to support a layer of vermiculite + the height of the seedling. So it also depends on how long you want to have them grow in the container. Number of seeds is not so important, as long as the seedlings have space to grow a little after germination

[@carmenbaez6459]

No comprendo que tipo de subsidio usó. El primero cuándo puso las semillas me pareció vermiculita, pero y después al hacer en transplante que es lo que usó??

[@Cactusinformation]

Si, el primero es vermiculite. Entonces arena volcánica

[@carmenbaez6459]

DRCEVNL gracias

[@jesusoalanis7189]

Beautiful video !! Where do you get those little containers from ?

[@Cactusinformation]

Mostly stores where they sell stuff for restaurants etc. A search on internet for small plastic cups will give you some addresses.