textfiles/drugs/ALT.DRUGS/cac_growtip.drg

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Newsgroups: alt.drugs
From: rcain@netcom.com (Robert Cain)
Subject: Re: cactii
Message-ID: <rcainC89Dus.7zt@netcom.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Jun 1993 16:01:40 GMT
25u7gardinie@vms.csd.mu.edu wrote:
: I am planning on growing some cactii soon and was wondering if anyone
: out in this virtual land has any experience with growing cactus from
: seed. If anyone does and would like to post any comments or suggestions
: they would be greatly appreciated. I regretably have little experience
: in growing things of this nature and would like to have the best chance
: for success the first time out. If you would rather e-mail me info that
: would be fine. I would even appreciate some advice on books which would
: give me the info I am seeking. Once again thanks in advance.
I have 26 little T. peruvianus that I germinated from 100 seeds from
... of the jungle. It was quite easy. As a germination bed I used
commercial cactus mix in a 3/8" layer on the bottom of a pie plate that
I could seal with saran wrap. Moisten, apply a half recommended
solution of Ortho Multi-Purpose Frungacide, DACONIL 2787, with a spray
bottle. This need be done once but needs be done. I lost seeds and
seedlings until I did this and my germination ratio would have been
much higher. Sprinkle seeds on wet bed and seal with saran. Open once
a day to air out. Sprouting will occur within a couple of weeks. They
seem to have a remarkably difficult time getting their tap root into
the ground but don't worry, it happens. They will reach 1/2" in
three months or so. I transplanted half into separate containers at
that point and left half in the germinating bed for a total of eight
months. Interestingly the ones left in the germinating bed grew taller
and thinner and overall slightly larger while the transplanted ones
gained more girth. I just transplanted the remainder and moved them
outside at about seven months and the heavy duty noon day CA sun gave
them a pretty serious sunburn, they were turning purple, I moved to
partial shade and they are recovering nicely. I have no idea how long
it will take until sufficient maturity but the fall should tell
something. These little cuties are perfectly legal (as cactii.)
Peace,
Bob
--
Bob Cain rcain@netcom.com 408-358-2007
"I used to be different. But now I'm the same."
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