18 January 2009
Tephro time!
Posted by Stuart under: Cacti; Propagation .
I’ve now sown most of my Tephrocactus sensu stricto seed, apart from a new packet of Tephrocactus geometricus sourced from the Rowlands.
I’m encouraged by the progress of the pot of Tephrocactus fiambalensis nom. prov. from the BCSS seed list - I now have five seedlings, one of which is growing on its side after having to be prevented from burrowing down into the bottom of the pot.
They’re enormous seedlings compared with those of most cacti, and I’m a little concerned that if all the seeds in that pot germinate, they might be a little crowded.
I’m equally pleased to see that a lone seedling of Tephrocactus alexanderi has sprouted.
These were sown on the same day as the pot of fiambalensis, and the first alexanderi seedling is now 8 days behind the fastest fiambalensis to emerge. Could this be due to slight differences in temperature in my slightly clapped-out old electric propagator? Or is one just slower than the other?
I’ll be interested to see how the new batch of tephros get on.