Mixed cactus seed packs

Use this forum to discuss matters relating to Cacti genera too plentiful to enumerate. This is where one posts unknown plant photos for ID help.

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Mixed cactus seed packs

#1

Post by nsp88 »

I saw these at the store, and I couldn't say no. Decided I want to grow a saguaro until it has at least one arm. I'll report back on it in 50 years or so. In all seriousness though, hopefully all packs have a decently diverse set of seeds like the label claims, and they weren't stingy with any kinds. Has anyone else ever grown one of these packs? How did it go? Good variety?
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#2

Post by edds »

Didn't have the same pack but been bought a couple of mixed packs of seed. Generally been disappointing! This pack might be different though.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#3

Post by nsp88 »

edds wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2024 12:41 pm Didn't have the same pack but been bought a couple of mixed packs of seed. Generally been disappointing! This pack might be different though.
Not surprising, but bummer. I was thinking they aren't likely to put an even quantity of the different ones listed. If I get one cardon or one saguaro I'd be excited.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#4

Post by jdjn13 »

Is there any update of these seeds? I too have been tempted to buy a pack of the mixed seeds. More than anything for experience of growing from seed.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#5

Post by nsp88 »

jdjn13 wrote: Sun Apr 27, 2025 11:59 pm Is there any update of these seeds? I too have been tempted to buy a pack of the mixed seeds. More than anything for experience of growing from seed.
Only two seeds popped up. Pretty low germination rate. I just moved all my seedlings outside a couple of weeks ago, so hopefully they'll start growing fast and can figure out what they are or are not. I have some San Pedro now, so I may end up grafting them to grow them faster.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#6

Post by jdjn13 »

I bit the bullet and though why not for £3. I'll be happy with even one popping up. This will be my first go at growing anything from seed.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#7

Post by jdjn13 »

A week after sowing, I'm seeing the first bit of green poking through. Just one though. :D
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#8

Post by nsp88 »

jdjn13 wrote: Sat May 10, 2025 1:12 pm A week after sowing, I'm seeing the first bit of green poking through. Just one though. :D
Post photos once you can make something out
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#9

Post by jdjn13 »

So I've noticed three now.all tiny green specs pushing through the soil.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#10

Post by nsp88 »

Here are my two little babies from that seed pack. I moved them outside about a month ago or so. They're showing some sun stress. Also one of them got moved around a little bit but the roots look connected still so I'm just going to leave it. We have had some pretty heavy rains since I put them outside and I bet it probably flooded the container for a little bit and moved that one around.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#11

Post by jdjn13 »

I've counted 14 germinated so far. First spines are coming through. Very exciting.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#12

Post by AK cactus guy »

All my mixed seed packets I grow end up being mostly Ferocactus wislizeni :roll:
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#13

Post by nsp88 »

Whatever I had, they are gone now. Weeks of rain and being in a container without very good drainage took them out.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#14

Post by jdjn13 »

That's a shame.

Mine are growing well. They are still in their super humid environment and apprar to be loving it (i read and saw some videos that people tend to bag their cacti seedlings up and leave them humid for the first year or so). Its working for me so far.

My children got me 2 more packs of mixed seeds for fathers day so I've got them scattered in the tray. A lot have already sprouted. I'll update with pictures when I'm home later. They also got me a mixed agave seed pack and some aloe polyphylla seeds that are currently soaking in their bath.

For me, overall, it's been a very good experience with these mixed packs and has given me confidence to tey more and more seeds. Plus, I don't actually know what I've got yet, so it's making it even more exciting as I could be sat on a couple of gems.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#15

Post by jdjn13 »

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The mixed agave seed pack already germinating after 4 days
The mixed agave seed pack already germinating after 4 days
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#16

Post by nsp88 »

jdjn13 wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 11:14 pm That's a shame.

Mine are growing well. They are still in their super humid environment and apprar to be loving it (i read and saw some videos that people tend to bag their cacti seedlings up and leave them humid for the first year or so). Its working for me so far.

My children got me 2 more packs of mixed seeds for fathers day so I've got them scattered in the tray. A lot have already sprouted. I'll update with pictures when I'm home later. They also got me a mixed agave seed pack and some aloe polyphylla seeds that are currently soaking in their bath.

For me, overall, it's been a very good experience with these mixed packs and has given me confidence to tey more and more seeds. Plus, I don't actually know what I've got yet, so it's making it even more exciting as I could be sat on a couple of gems.
You've had way more success with your seed pack and the bag than I did without the bag. I'd say it is a good way to do it!

Did the mixed agave seeds have a list of potential species or is it 100% mystery?
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#17

Post by jdjn13 »

No species list that I can see. The place they got them from doesn't sell seeds for individual species. I could end up with 25 Americana (big blue ones). Being in the UK, I'm hoping for some ovatifolia that I can plant out in a few years. But I'm not fussy. An agave is an agave and I like them all.

https://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/item_63 ... gJ5wvD_BwE
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#18

Post by jdjn13 »

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Some update pictures. Still growing really well. Haven't counted, but there are lots!
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#19

Post by jdjn13 »

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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#20

Post by jdjn13 »

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Still going strong. Counted 60+. One turned yellow and promptly disappeared. The rest are really spining up nicely. Actually look like cacti now.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#21

Post by RCDS66 »

jdjn13 wrote: Thu Aug 28, 2025 1:11 pm Still going strong. Counted 60+. One turned yellow and promptly disappeared. The rest are really spining up nicely. Actually look like cacti now.
That looks wonderful. After how long did you remove the plastic bag and exposed them to fresh air?
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#22

Post by jdjn13 »

I stopped using the bag a little while back as I managed to get the lids for my seed trays. I just removed it for the photo. They are still 'lidded' but with the vents fully open. Unsure when I'll stop using it, but some of them are starting to get very crowded so I may need to pick some of them out and put them into their own pots.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#23

Post by jdjn13 »

They are now under a grow light for 16 hours a day. The goal is to keep them growing through winter before going out next spring once they've attained some size.

Question for the experts. When should I be separating them? They are at a point now that I can see that I have some that are the same genus/species. Would you wait longer? I wouldn't say they are super crowded at the moment.
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#24

Post by jdjn13 »

Here they are now, what, 6 months on?
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I had to separate them out about 2 months ago due to some of the larger ones really crowding and squishing the little ones. I expected casualties in the transplant but haven't noticed and yet. A fun experiment that has been very rewarding so far. If I don't start losing some soon, I don't know what I'm going to do with them all!!!! :lol:
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Re: Mixed cactus seed packs

#25

Post by jdjn13 »

I finally decided to split them all up and put them into little pots of their own. Still haven't lost any!!! I think some might be baby Fero's, but not really any idea on any of the others. Some look more columnar.
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