Whether you’re new to growing Cacti or been at it for a while there are many factors to consider when making a choice on your next purchase. Many of which are quite obvious.
However, there are a couple of considerations I’ve discovered over time that I now use. So read on because hopefully I can give you some good information you may not have considered in the past.
Therefore this is about selecting seed grown cacti to purchase, as opposed to buying cacti that are cloned from a mother plant as a cutting or plant.
But first, seed grown cacti will vary somewhat, in rate of growth and appearance. So it can be fun finding one that is a little different or has superior traits to the rest of the bunch. Afterall, you you don’t really want to end up with a runt or waste time on one that simply grows slowly then dies.
So first up, there are two general sources I buy Seed Grown Cacti from.
Firstly, online. Usually from private growers or hobbyists who cross well known Trichocereus clones and come up with unique crosses which are sometimes superior to the parents.
Secondly, I’ll purchase them from retail outlets such as specialist cacti nurseries or places like Bunnings.
But first, buying seed grown Cacti online. Over time I’ve purchased loads of seed grown cactus online. Mainly, Trichocereus crosses of well know clones. Some have been impulsive and regrettable/unremarkable and other purchases more calculating and very much worthwhile.
But by far, the most success I’ve had is buying seed grown Trichocereus that are a few years old. What I look for is a seller that is selling just the cutting and not the whole plant. The reason why, is the grower has probably already identified the seedling as one that’s superior to the rest of the batch. It’s probably grown faster than the rest or is more attractive or both. Therefore they’ve taken the time to grow it to a size where it’s now showing it’s true potential. The grower now has a nice plant that they can sell for a good price but they don’t want to sell the whole plant because it is a one-off/unique. So they want to keep the roots and stump so they can keep on growing it into the future.
Therefore, you can expect to pay a little extra for the purchase but it does save you time growing a small seedling/s that might be slow to grow or just grow into something that you already have!
Buying Seed Grown Cacti from a retail outlet is a little bit different to buying Cacti online. The difference is the grower is a commercial operation and less likely to keep the best one’s to grow out any longer than they need to. Sure, if they find one that is totally unique they might keep it and clone it, but the one’s that look a little nicer or grow quite a bit faster usually still end up in the store. Therefore, here is what I’ve discovered.
Mostly seed grown cacti come in small 55mm punnets. They are relatively inexpensive, usually less than $10. Or you can get get them in slightly larger 80mm punnets. Usually under $20 or much less, depending on what it is.
From experience, I’ve found the larger ones tend to grow faster than the smaller ones. But probably not just for the reason that they are larger.
So to give an example. I’ve written an article about my Pilosocereus Azureus cacti. So if you’re looking for seed grown cacti that grow a bit faster, then read this article, as it’s a good example.
Pilosocereus Azureus – the Blue Torch Cactus
Haageocereus Pseudomelanostele – Seed Grown Cacti. About finding something a little different!
Micranthocereus Purpureus – Variation or Mislabelling? About Mislabeled Cacti Seedlings
