Succulent Sowing Tutorial - Experience Summary
Comprehensively analyzing the sowing content of succulents, this Succulent Sowing Tutorial - Experience Summary will surely bring you great help. Let's learn about it together!
Many succulent sowing tutorials have been published online by flower enthusiasts, but this article focuses more on the author's summary of succulent sowing experiences, which is very valuable for those who want to sow. This article is mainly divided into three parts: soil mixing, germination rate, and survival rate.
ps: This article is for succulent sowing beginners, including genera such as Sedum, Crassula, Graptopetalum, Sempervivum, and Deceptor, and is not suitable for genera like globular and Haworthia.
I. Soil Mixing for Succulent Sowing
The main principle of soil mixing for succulent sowing is to balance breathability and water retention, with a higher requirement for water retention than for mature plants. Therefore, as long as the particle size is smaller than that of mature plant soil, it is sufficient. Common formulas include:
Peat: Vermiculite: 1-3mm Grains = 3:1:1
Peat: Vermiculite: Rice Husk Charcoal = 3:1:0.5
In general, no less than 60% peat is required, and pure peat can also be used. Peat is recommended for sowing with a particle size of 1-3mm, clean and uniform. Other imported brands are also fine. Domestic peat is often not properly disinfected and is not good.
Be cautious with garden soil!!!
For granules, use those that do not easily powder and are small, 1-3mm in size. It is important to note that perlite can prevent roots from penetrating if seedlings grow on it. If perlite is used for cost-saving purposes, remember to transplant seedlings in time.
I have tried the above three formulas (there are actually many others), and they have no significant effect on germination rate and survival rate.
In terms of soil, what is even more important is disinfection and sterilization. If not properly disinfected, it is easy to grow ~ mold, and once moldy, seedlings basically stop growing. There are many disinfection methods, such as soaking in potassium permanganate solution or soaking in carbendazim solution, but it must be soaked through, not just surface disinfection.
II. Germination Rate of Succulent Sowing
The most important factors affecting germination rate are the fullness and freshness of the seeds.
Buy from large manufacturers, kk, kp, rp, and do not easily buy shared or self-crossed seeds from forums, as most people in China lack basic knowledge in the field of succulent hybridization.
When purchasing from a proxy, choose one with a large volume of goods and ask about his purchasing time to avoid buying old seeds.
It is best to sow immediately after purchase. If it has to be postponed to the next sowing season, the safest storage method is to wrap it in toilet paper and place it in the refrigerator.
Although it may sound redundant, it still needs to be emphasized: when sowing succulents, sprinkle the seeds evenly on the soil surface and do not cover them with soil!
In addition to the quality of the seeds themselves, environmental factors are also very important, including:
1. Temperature: 10-25 degrees, requiring a certain day-night temperature difference
2. Humidity: High soil and air humidity are required
Before sowing, the soil should be soaked with water and kept moist at all times. The best method is to use a pot with a saucer that can hold water at the bottom. Do not let the water run out. Air humidity should be maintained with a transparent cover or plastic wrap. The cover needs to have a few ventilation holes and should not be completely sealed. After most seeds have germinated, remove the cover.
The easiest way is to buy a sowing set with a saucer and cover. Seedling trays can also be used. I use a Meishi seamless saucer + 6cm root control pot + custom 6.5cm x 1mm transparent acrylic board as a cover (angled), like this:
Tabs are placed on the pot to avoid confusion later.
3. Light: Ample scattered light, no direct sunlight, and not completely dark
4. Time: For common genera like Sedum, Crassula, Graptopetalum, and Deceptor, most will germinate within 3 days to 2 weeks. I haven't sown other genera, some of which may take longer.
III. Survival Rate of Succulent Sowing
As the saying goes, it's easy to germinate but hard to grow big... Generally, seedlings may die from the following situations:
1. Drought death
Until the seedlings grow to the size of a thumbnail, do not stop soaking the pot. Then, from half a year to full maturity, the soil should not be too dry for too long. The watering frequency should be slightly higher than that of mature plants. Seedlings do not hibernate in the first year and can be watered continuously in winter and summer! (No watering below zero degrees, but it is also not recommended to keep the seedlings in an environment below zero degrees. A minimum of 5 degrees at night is more suitable, with exceptions for experts.)
2. Sunburn
Scattered light before germination, then gradually transition to natural direct light, and shade in the summer. Seedlings do not mind etiolation as long as they survive, but sunburn is irreversible.
3. Frostbite
It is not recommended for seedlings under 1 year old to be in an environment below 5 degrees, with exceptions for experts.
4. Crowding death
Transplant seedlings early. Generally, the first transplant can be done after a pair of cotyledons have opened, as they have not rooted much yet and are easier to transplant. After transplanting, spread some mulch, which is good for supporting seedlings and preventing small black flies. As long as they are crowded, they should be transplanted, otherwise, they will compete for nutrients, soil, and light, which is not good for growth. The spacing between seedlings after transplanting should not be too large, just one finger width is fine. Appropriate competition is also beneficial. Larger seedlings can be transplanted to individual cells.
5. Transplanting death or stiff seedlings
This is very common... When transplanting, be sure to control the water in advance, not too wet or too dry. Be gentle and protect the roots, avoiding too much damage. Make a hole in the new pot/dish with a toothpick/stick, and use forceps to hold the seedlings and insert them. It gets fast with practice.
New soil should also be disinfected, but no matter how careful you are, it is difficult to avoid transplanting death or stiff seedlings. Patience and solitude are indispensable.
6. Eaten by small black fly larvae
Small black flies are not very harmful to mature succulents as they die when the soil dries out, but they are seedling killers. The larvae can quickly eat seedlings, and seedlings cannot be without water for too long. Moreover, there are no good pesticides for balcony gardeners.
Bury some systemic insecticides in the soil, spray insecticides regularly, and let the soil dry occasionally. That's all you can do, and may good luck be with you.
7. Suffocated by moss
The source of moss is water source pollution, and its growth conditions are high humidity and a certain intensity of light. Using purified water or boiled water to water the seedlings helps a lot. If moss grows too much, transplant and change the soil, and it will ease after spreading mulch. Later, when the soil humidity does not need to be so high, it is no longer a problem.
8. Suffocated by fungal hyphae
The source of fungal hyphae is soil, usually a sign that the soil has not been properly disinfected. Changing the soil can solve this problem well, and it is not a major hazard if dealt with promptly. The soil really needs to be disinfected properly!
9. Suffocated by water alkali
Using tap water directly to water seedlings in Beijing can easily cause this situation. Water alkali forms a thin shell on the surface of the seedlings, causing them to rot. Adjusting with phosphoric acid/sulfuric acid does not work because it is a problem of water salinity, not just acidity or alkalinity. The capillary effect can also increase water alkali precipitation if the pot is too tall. Using purified water or boiled water to soak the pot is fine.
10. Rotting
Many factors can cause seedlings to rot or wilt, such as fungal infections or insect damage. By preventing the above situations, the damage will not be too severe.
11. Disappeared for no reason
Even if everything seems to be arranged perfectly, seedlings may occasionally disappear for no reason. That's just how things are. However, if everything is done well, it is easier to worry about what to do with so many seedlings?
12. Stiff seedlings
Give it a little patience, avoid strong sunlight, and care for it as if nothing happened. If it is still stiff after a season, throw it away.
The above is the complete content of the Succulent Sowing Tutorial - Experience Summary introduced to you, for your comprehensive understanding and reference!