A lazy way to grow cactus from seed | Episode 14: SERIES FINALE! 12 month update

We made it!! It has been a year since we started this series on growing cactus from seed in my signature lazy fashion (aka we didn't sanitize anything and used a simple soil mix from the big box store). We had ups, we had downs, and everything in between. Today, we make our final update on the seedlings that have managed to survive the year. Although I'm sure this is not the last you'll see them because I'll be making plenty of general seedling update videos in the future.
As you can see, a year flew by. Just. Like. That. Since time is passing whether we like it or not, we might as well make even more out of it by sowing some seeds. So if you've had any tiny desire to try growing plants from seed yourself, DON'T WAIT JUST GROW! Before you know it, the plants will be a month, 4 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 10 years old. My longstanding existential crisis is kicking in as I write this.
Another comment I want to make is that we saw that we had some successes and plenty of failures through this series. Most of the Copiapoa and the one pot of Mammillaria survived. However, it was a massive failure with the Ariocarpus and Turbinicarpus as not a single one of those seedlings lived. Germination was pretty good but they just died off after that. Even among the Copiapoa, some look good and some don't. What caused this? Was it the soil? Growing method? Too much water? Too little water? Environment? I have no idea. With Ariocarpus I received feedback that they need to be covered for a longer period of time, so I want to try again. Then I also have suspicions on soil. I wonder if some soils are better for certain genuses of plants than others, but there's no way to know without experimenting. Thus, I am currently working on a new series that compares six different soils for growing Astrophytum and Ariocarpus from seed. The soils range from big box brands, to one experienced grower's mix, to a couple of very premium seed starters I purchased from Etsy. The first episode will include all the soil descriptions, cost, seed sowing, followed by weekly updates for the first month - I just finished 3 weeks, so I have another week to go and then I need to finish editing before uploading - this one is a lot of work. Then we'll start a new series to track how these seedlings do in the various soils. So stay tuned for that!
Video Series: A lazy way to grow cactus from seed
• A lazy way to grow cac...
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DISCLAIMER: I am a beginner grower. I have yet to find a growing process that works consistently for me, so it's a constant learning experience. This video series is more of a vlog on this leg of my cactus growing journey. With that said, enjoy!
Mesa Garden: mesagarden.com/
ThreeDeserts on Etsy: www.etsy.com/s...
Nursery pots - I use the 2.5" and 3.25" pots:
www.greenhouse...
1020 Trays without holes:
www.greenhouse...
1020 Trays with holes:
www.greenhouse...
Tall clear dome for 1020 tray:
www.greenhouse...
Disclosure: The links to Amazon are affiliate links, which means that I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. There is no additional cost to you. I encourage shopping around as always.
Greenhouse Kit
amzn.to/3uSkPCm (paid link)
Grow light without dimmer: SPIDER FARMER SF1000D (this is the one I use)
amzn.to/3OSPR6c (paid link)
Grow light with dimmer: SPIDER FARMER SF1000
amzn.to/3STyRyJ (paid link)
1000mL (33oz) squeeze bottles
amzn.to/3XKbo4o (paid link)
Succulent tools & transplanting kit
amzn.to/3XQZrup (paid link)
#copiapoa #cactus #seedlings