26 May 2008
Titanopsis seedlings update
Posted by Stuart under: Other Succulents; Propagation .
I’m finding mesembs incredibly rewarding to grow from seed.
Being used to the growth rate of cactus seedlings, it’s marvellous to see these little plants assume adult characteristics so quickly. A little while ago, my Titanopsis fulleri seedlings were only just embarking on their second pairs of true leaves (see left). After a good few weeks spent in full sun, they’ve changed dramatically.
Now they’re almost all on their third pair of true leaves, and really starting to look good.
They seem to be pretty robust little plants, and of the three species of Titanopsis that I’m trying, T. fulleri was certainly the quickest to germinate. T. primosii has now caught up in terms of growth rate.
I’ve started to ease up on the watering now as I don’t want them to grow too lush!
The patterning of Titanopsis primosii‘s warts is really amazing, even on such young plants.
Even at this stage, T. primosii has a noticeably less compact habit than fulleri, and very obviously lacks the angularity of the former’s leaf tips.
I thoroughly recommend trying some of these from seed if you haven’t done so. I’ll certainly be having another go at some more Titanopsis forms next year, hopefully with field data next time.