How to plant Surpriya cactus seeds?
Below is an introduction to the related content of the Surpriya cactus, specifically how to plant Surpriya cactus seeds:
As summer approaches, some flower friends have asked me about the problem of sowing Surpriya cactus seeds. Today, I will take some time to write down my experience in sowing Surpriya cactus seeds for everyone to learn and discuss. I only write about my shallow experience, and I apologize for any shortcomings. My location is in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
1. When the average temperature reaches above 30 degrees, the best season for sowing Surpriya cactus seeds arrives.
2. The fresher the seeds, the higher the germination rate. If the temperature is suitable, you can sow the seeds immediately after receiving them.
3. Soil preparation: The soil I use is a mixture of forest leaves (sun-dried) and crushed coal slag (soaked in water before use to remove fire), with no specific ratio. More soil and less coal slag. I've seen other flower friends use things like vermiculite, which should also be fine. Everyone can try it. Mix the soil well and fill it into nutrient pots.
4. Disinfection: I use potassium permanganate solution (dark purple color is enough), place the nutrient pot with soil in the potassium permanganate solution, water thoroughly, and wait until the solution turns yellowish-brown, which takes a few hours. Alternatively, you can soak it at night and take it out the next morning.
I didn't soak the Surpriya cactus seeds in the solution, as I was afraid they might rot. I just washed them with the solution. Experts, please offer some guidance here.
5. Sprinkle the seeds directly on the surface of the sowing soil without covering them.
6. Place the nutrient pot in a place with bright scattered light, find a slightly translucent board to cover it, leaving a ventilation opening. Keep it moist, water it by immersion method, and ventilate for one to two hours a day.
7. Generally, if the temperature is high, the seeds can germinate in three days. After germination, maintain bright scattered light and moist soil. Once the seedlings are out, there's no need to cover the board. However, avoid direct sunlight in the early stages.
8. When the small balls are about the size of mung beans, they can start to gradually accept sunlight, preferably the morning sun and the evening sun. While accepting sunlight, it's best to cover them with a transparent film. Avoid direct sunlight at noon. Slowly, the small balls will start to grow thorns.
Gradually increase the duration of direct sunlight, keeping the process closed and moist, opening it for ventilation every day. The small balls require a lot of water, much more than the adult plants. However, be careful not to waterlog them during the plum rain season. Even if the seedlings are young, try to avoid the strong midday sun during the hot summer days.
The complex process is actually just leaving it on the windowsill, keeping it closed, and watering it when the soil is dry. I've always kept it on the windowsill, so it gets the morning and evening sun and automatically avoids the strong midday sun.
9. As the temperature drops in autumn, reduce the water until it stops. In winter, the small balls will turn purple from the cold. When the temperature stabilizes at around 20 degrees in the spring, you can start watering again. Continue to keep it closed, and the growth signs will be very noticeable.
10. When the small balls are about the size of soybeans, it's time to repot them. Continue to keep them closed after repotting. If possible, repot them promptly, as the balls will grow faster after repotting, and can grow to the size of a coin in one year. Moreover, it has been proven that the earlier you repot the balls, the bigger and earlier they bloom.
This year, some small balls have already formed flower buds before reaching the size of a coin.
By the third year, reduce the water. However, it seems that Surpriya cactus still requires more water than most cacti.
11. The vitality of cacti is very strong. Don't throw away those balls that look dusty; they might come back to life after a spring or autumn.
12. As for when to stop keeping it closed, I'm not sure. I suggest keeping it closed for the first two years. I kept it closed until the third year, and I stopped when I saw flower buds.
The above is a detailed introduction to how to plant Surpriya cactus seeds (experience in sowing Surpriya cactus seeds), for reference by netizens.