Growing Cactus from Seed

They make for beautiful ornamental plants, and those who have them, can go on and on about the different types, the vivid and vibrant colors of their flowers, set against a dry arid background. So now, you are tempted to grow a cactus, or perhaps are keen on adding more variety to your plant collection.

Although cactus seeds follow the usual steps of germination, propagation from them is a slow process, as, unlike other plants, they don't germinate within a week. Depending upon the variety of the plant, and the quality of the seeds, they generally take anywhere between 2 to 16 weeks to germinate.

Cactus seeds can be bought from nurseries, or collected from the pods of a plant that has flowered. Remove the entire intact mature pod from the plant, then with a sharp pen knife, very gently cut open the pod.

Spread a sheet of paper on a flat surface, and shake the seeds off from within, without touching them. Leave them on the paper to dry at room temperature. If you manage to collect a large quantity and do not wish to germinate all of them, then store them in a dry airtight container.

It should not be rich, and must be devoid of all organic materials, as moist organic matter can promote the growth of fungus and damping of the seeds. The gravel or sand you add to this mix should not be fine. Fine sand tends to bind the soil, whereas gravel that is slightly big in size will allow the water to flow freely.

The soil mix should contain one part washed sand, one part free-flowing soil, and one part perlite. The seeds can be grown in large or small containers, or even in Styrofoam cups. At the base, layer some bricks and charcoal pieces, fill the soil up to three quarters of the pot, gently pat it down to eliminate air pockets and flatten the surface.

Sow seeds in early spring, this way, the germinated ones will have enough sun as they establish themselves. Sprinkle them evenly on top of the soil. For very fine types, mix with a little sand for even distribution. Cover them with a sprinkle of very fine sand. There are two ways to water your container.

For plastic or earthen pots, spray mist, or place the pot in a shallow tray of water until the top of the growing medium becomes moist. If you are using a Styrofoam cup, spray mist. As cactus is quite susceptible to damping, add a little liquid fungicide to the water, before watering the seeds. The water should drain out completely.

Cover the pot with a clean plastic sheet, and leave it undisturbed in a place receiving sunlight, but not direct heat. One can use fluorescent bulbs for germination, instead of natural light. Turn off the light at night though. The soil should not dry out, and it should not be too damp. Spray mist only when you feel the soil is beginning to dry out.

Depending upon the variety and quality of the seeds, they will germinate within a few weeks. Once the seedlings are one or two inches tall, gradually acclimatize them to warmer, drier, and sunnier conditions. Water as per need, but never over water. As cactus is a slow grower, it may take a couple of years before one can transplant it into individual pots.