Hi,
Over the last few years I have tried to germinated and grow some small Opuntia seed, the following photos show some of the results. Some are looking a bit shrivelled - dormancy and no nutrition since September, I also transplanted them mid growing season which contributed!
Small Opuntia seedlings
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Small Opuntia seedlings
Andrew
Interested in most genera of small to medium ‘globular’ cacti, large flowering Mammillaria, Epiphyllum, Trichocereus, Hildewintera, Cleistocactus etc, small Agaves, Lithops, Titanopsis, Faucaria etc, plus hybridising.
Interested in most genera of small to medium ‘globular’ cacti, large flowering Mammillaria, Epiphyllum, Trichocereus, Hildewintera, Cleistocactus etc, small Agaves, Lithops, Titanopsis, Faucaria etc, plus hybridising.
- ralphrmartin
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Re: Small Opuntia seedlings
I'd be (gently) watering those smallest ones through their first winter.
Ralph Martin
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Members visiting the Llyn Peninsula are welcome to visit my collection.
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https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/cacti.html
Members visiting the Llyn Peninsula are welcome to visit my collection.
Swaps and sales at https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/forsale.php
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Re: Small Opuntia seedlings
Hi Ralph,
I don’t water during the winter, they never seem to absorb it, even on the sunniest days.
I don’t water during the winter, they never seem to absorb it, even on the sunniest days.
Andrew
Interested in most genera of small to medium ‘globular’ cacti, large flowering Mammillaria, Epiphyllum, Trichocereus, Hildewintera, Cleistocactus etc, small Agaves, Lithops, Titanopsis, Faucaria etc, plus hybridising.
Interested in most genera of small to medium ‘globular’ cacti, large flowering Mammillaria, Epiphyllum, Trichocereus, Hildewintera, Cleistocactus etc, small Agaves, Lithops, Titanopsis, Faucaria etc, plus hybridising.
- Mike P
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Re: Small Opuntia seedlings
I find Maihuenia seedlings are very prone to desiccation even in winter and would risk a few drops of water especially if they are in a heated greenhouse.
Mike
Secretary Bromley Branch
Secretary Bromley Branch
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Re: Small Opuntia seedlings
It's hard to see, as everything happens so much slower at low temperatures - but the cacti I water in winter definitely seem more ready to start growing in spring than ones kept bone dry. It may help them retain their roots.
Ralph Martin
https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/cacti.html
Members visiting the Llyn Peninsula are welcome to visit my collection.
Swaps and sales at https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/forsale.php
My Field Number Database is at https://www.fieldnos.bcss.org.uk
https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/cacti.html
Members visiting the Llyn Peninsula are welcome to visit my collection.
Swaps and sales at https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/forsale.php
My Field Number Database is at https://www.fieldnos.bcss.org.uk
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Re: Small Opuntia seedlings
I was going to say the same as Mike - the Maihuenia in particular like a little water.
Darren nr Lancaster UK. Growing Conophytum, Lobivia, Sulcorebutia, bulbs etc.
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Re: Small Opuntia seedlings
Thanks for your advice.
I have ended up with plants getting dripped on when it rains during the winter. The results have usually been shrinking of the plant, presumably dilution of stored nutrients and not surviving the spring start. This winter I did get a couple of seedlings actually grow from the accidental deluge, but it seems the exception rather than the norm.
As it’s only two months until March, I shall wait until a decent sunny period in early spring.
I have ended up with plants getting dripped on when it rains during the winter. The results have usually been shrinking of the plant, presumably dilution of stored nutrients and not surviving the spring start. This winter I did get a couple of seedlings actually grow from the accidental deluge, but it seems the exception rather than the norm.
As it’s only two months until March, I shall wait until a decent sunny period in early spring.
Andrew
Interested in most genera of small to medium ‘globular’ cacti, large flowering Mammillaria, Epiphyllum, Trichocereus, Hildewintera, Cleistocactus etc, small Agaves, Lithops, Titanopsis, Faucaria etc, plus hybridising.
Interested in most genera of small to medium ‘globular’ cacti, large flowering Mammillaria, Epiphyllum, Trichocereus, Hildewintera, Cleistocactus etc, small Agaves, Lithops, Titanopsis, Faucaria etc, plus hybridising.
Re: Small Opuntia seedlings
Maihuenia is a very different creature, in its own subfamily of the Cactaceae, not an opuntia and from a quite wet area. Not to be confused with Maihueniopsis which is an opuntioid.
Asclepiomaniac. Armchair ethnobotanist.
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Occasional, eclectic blogger:
http://pattheplants.blogspot.com/
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Re: Small Opuntia seedlings
It’s the Maihuenia darwinii v hickenii and T.alexanderi ssp bruchii that are the most shrunk at the moment. The Maihueniopsis still seem to even have turgid leaves.
But as you say, it’s not an Opuntioid, but is closely related according to cladistics.
But as you say, it’s not an Opuntioid, but is closely related according to cladistics.
Andrew
Interested in most genera of small to medium ‘globular’ cacti, large flowering Mammillaria, Epiphyllum, Trichocereus, Hildewintera, Cleistocactus etc, small Agaves, Lithops, Titanopsis, Faucaria etc, plus hybridising.
Interested in most genera of small to medium ‘globular’ cacti, large flowering Mammillaria, Epiphyllum, Trichocereus, Hildewintera, Cleistocactus etc, small Agaves, Lithops, Titanopsis, Faucaria etc, plus hybridising.
Re: Small Opuntia seedlings
You mean Maihueniopsis darwinii? That is an opuntioid.
Asclepiomaniac. Armchair ethnobotanist.
Occasional, eclectic blogger:
http://pattheplants.blogspot.com/
Occasional, eclectic blogger:
http://pattheplants.blogspot.com/