BCSS SEED KIT UPDATE

Last year the BCSS gave away seeds kits at shows etc.  These were very popular.  Please see 29th May 2018 and 10th June 2018.  There were reports on progress at this years show and one pot presented for potting up.

Here are some of the plants removed from the original pot and potted on.

SEED RAISING

I use my normal compost for seed raising but romove any big lumps.

A thin layer of gravel on top. The seeds fall between the stones.

28 Pots fit into a standard seed tray.

Where I have extracted seed from a Lithops' capsule and have more seeds I use 1/4 seed trays.

Each with it's own cover.

Some initial results............the problem is I never get the seeds spread out.

LITHOPS DINTERI FEDERICI 

LITHOPS 'LERICHGREEN' 

LITHOPS AUCAMPIAE - SEED CAPSULE OPENING.

Lithops seed capsules open when wetted as in the wild this means the seed is released when conditions are favourable.

This capsule of Lithops aucampiae has been sprayed with water and opens in about a minute.

SEED EXTRACTION 2

Using the same method as for the Lithops capsule seed was extracted from a Dinteranthus inexpectatus

Starting to open when wetted.

Fully open.

Seed scraped out.

Dust like.

SEED EXTRACTION

This year I have some Lithops seed capsules and I have to extract the seeds as a first step before sowing.

Lithops seed capsules open when wet as in the wild this means the seed is released when conditions are favourable.

Seed capsule of Lithops aucampiae.

Sprayed with water.

......and the capsule opens revealing seeds which can be removed by picking out.

The seed is small and should be stored in a dry place until sowing.

This method works fine for small numbers of capsules.

SEEDLING UPDATE

Results from the BCSS Seed Kit.  See 29th May 2018.

Results from sowing 2nd April 2018.

LITHOPS HERMETICA

Earlier sowings [ See 27th March 2018 ].

TITANOPSIS HUGO-SCHLECTERI 

LITHOPS SCHWANTESII 

BCSS SEED KIT

 The BCSS provide seed kits to give away at society events.

The goody bag. 

The contents. 

Soaking.

The seeds.

Into the plastic bag. 

Sealed.  I have never tried the bag method.

SEED RAISING 2018 [ 5 ]

Sowing some Lithops seeds which are a lot smaller than those of Mammillaria.

I have more seed as they are from my own plants. I am therefore using a quarter size seed tray but otherwise the same procedure,

Close up of Lithops seeds courtesy of Willy Verheulpen. One millimetre squares.

SEED RAISING 2018 [ 4 ]

Now for sowing.

Some succulent seed is like dust, for example, Lithops but Mammillaria seed is easy to see.

Seed from the Mammillaria Society.

Carefully tipped onto folded paper.

Even more carefully tip the seeds into the pot using the folded paper as a guide to spread the seeds out evenly.

Then spray to wash the seed between the gravel.

Into the tray.

Top on and off to the propagator.

SEED RAISING 2018 [ 3 ]

The weather is better this weekend so I can go ahead with sowing seeds.

 I use 5.5 cm pots.

Which fit nicely into a seed tray.

The seed tray has a cover.

I will also need a spray.

I use my normal compost mix which is John Innes based but remove any large lumps.

I add a thin layer of gravel on top.