Germinating Opuntia Seeds

[rearlpettway]

This is just interesting.
Out of curiosity we planted 9 Opuntia seeds from a cactus pear about 4 weeks ago. Two have germinated.



Sent from Rodney Earl Pettway's iPad using TortForum

 

[wellington]

Cool. I will be trying this. Didn't even think to try it. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[Tom]

I've never grown them from seed. That is pretty cool. What did you do to prepare the seeds?

 

[Len B]

That's Great, I plant a 100 and get 2 to germinate. I have better luck splitting the fruit open and pushing the whole thing into the soil and forgetting about it, until something sprouts. It has taken as long as 2 seasons for some seeds to sprout here, so don't give up on them. More DON"T germinate than do for me.

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

Some plants cote their seeds with stuff to keep them from sprouting until they have been eaten by a animal or bird .
You may want to sprout them in a damp paper towel then plant in soil . Just a couple ideas .


Sent from my iPhone using TortForum

 

[Yvonne G]

I've had good luck germinating cactus seeds in mini greenhouses. I save the "clam shell" containers that Spring Mix comes in and use them to plant my seeds. Add enough potting soil to fill half way, then add about an inch of very fine sand over the top of the potting soil. Use a spray bottle to water it because you don't want to disturb the soil once you've added the seeds. Sprinkle the seeds over the sand and gently push them down into the sand. Close the lid on the clam shell. You will see condensation on the inside of the container. Most seeds sprout for me in this manner.

 

[rearlpettway]

I've never grown them from seed. That is pretty cool. What did you do to prepare the seeds?

We took the seeds out of the cactus pear. Then they sat around for a few days while I tried to figure out what to do. We didn't get any big revelations so we just put then a pot with soil, watered and waited.


Sent from Rodney Earl Pettway's iPad using TortForum

 

[rearlpettway]

Oh,
On thing that I did notice is that the seeds are hard like little pebbles or stones. I was surprised that 2 germinated so quickly.


Sent from Rodney Earl Pettway's iPad using TortForum

 

[Jabuticaba]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing!


May, Aussies, & Hermannis
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES

 

[Jabuticaba]

Oh,
On thing that I did notice is that the seeds are hard like little pebbles or stones. I was surprised that 2 germinated so quickly.


Sent from Rodney Earl Pettway's iPad using TortForum

Do you have to soak them before sowing?


May, Aussies, & Hermannis
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES

 

[rearlpettway]

Do you have to soak them before sowing?


May, Aussies, & Hermannis
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES

We didn't try. We just put them in the soil and watered them.


Sent from Rodney Earl Pettway's iPad using TortForum

 

[Tortmomma2]

Would it be okay to n purchase one from home depot and then plant it in the ground with organic tort friendly soil?

 

[mike taylor]

Never tried growing them from seeds . It's to easy to cut a part off put on the ground then poof new cactus .

 

[rearlpettway]

Would it be okay to n purchase one from home depot and then plant it in the ground with organic tort friendly soil?

Yes


Sent from Rodney Earl Pettway's iPad using TortForum

 

[rearlpettway]

Never tried growing them from seeds . It's to easy to cut a part off put on the ground then poof new cactus .

Yes,
It is very easy. We planted these pads in pots in May. Notice all the new pads.


Sent from Rodney Earl Pettway's iPad using TortForum