here are some pictures of my epi seeds I started, could someone tell me if I need to transplant them deeper than the two little leaves at the bottom or are they strong enough to hold themselves up so they don't fall over, some of them are getting up to two inches and falling over slightly. Any advise please on keeping these growing.
Grace
Looks to me like you've been doing a good job so far. Personally, I would let them get bigger before transplanting. I don't think it matters much if they fall over - they will still keep growing.
Thank you krowten I will keep them like they are then. Do you know if I should water them or just keep them misted good, I was watering them about once every few weeks and since they've gotten taller I've just been misting for fear I'll overwater. Here is another picture.
Grace
Most epis like a moist mix, so long as it is not soggy I think you will be alright. But I bow to Kowten. And personally they look big enough for light watering, and not misting now.
Analog, I have only few epis, although I did start most of them from seed. They did not give me any challenges, as I recall. Please don't think I am an expert with epis. I mostly do rhipsalis, which like it better, I think, with more water and humidity. I am struggling with a ric-rac at the moment that makes me doubt my competence.
My take on watering vs misting is that misting is safer and the plants love it - but keep in mind that is from a "rhipsalis" perspective. Having said that, I agree with analog that your plants are big enough to be watered. Why not do light watering like you have been, then after the soil starts to dry (a few days later), do some misting. That way you get the best of both worlds. I expect that the watering will help develop a root system while misting will help stimulate more growth and do a minor amount of foliar feeding.
Thank You to both of you, I have read posts that you have both commented on and they have always been very helpful in my new epi adventure, I bought and collected about 30 different epi plants this year and I am learning alot about how to grow them from information I've gotten from this website and the growers I've bought from have sent some very good instructions. Its going to start getting cold here in Indiana soon, I have a spare room that I'm going to convert into my winter epi room, just natural light from 2 windows and somewhat cooler than the rest of the house. I'm going to try to ignore them some and hope for flowers next year. Can't wait :)
Thanks Again
Grace
I would not put your seedlings with the rest of the epis, you want them to grow through this winter, so they won't die.
I have them under a florescent light above my kitchen sink right now but I will have to move them soon as they are getting to tall, I'm going to have my husband rig up some grow lights for me and keep them under them for the winter, I sure hope they make it.
Thanks AnalogDog and Krowten for all the good information you post at this website.
Your seedlings are adorable! I'm glad I got to see a pic of them. Do keep posting pics as they grow!
Randi
looking good. If this is the first time you are growing from seed, as they grow do not be surprise that they may look more like regular cactus than epis. Also be very patient as it may take 6/7 years or more before the bloom. I was told you can cut this time in half if you feed them lightly each watering but have not tried it.
Sandy
Sandy I'm just hoping I don't do something wrong and kill them all this winter. One of the growers I bought from sent me these seeds and I thought I'd give it a try. I sure hope they make it. I have 3 more little packs if you would like one I can send it to you because I won't be starting any more until next spring, maybe being in FL. they would have a good chance. Let me know.
Grace
Thanks but no thanks am getting to old to wait besides I have way to many plants to take care of now. I have a bad case of tendinitis and bursitis in BOTH ankles. If the ankles do not get better I will need to get rid of mine.
Sandy
Sandy, sorry to hear about the tendinitis, I am glad to see you back here though. I felt like I stayed gone for so long that I was a stranger again when I returned.
Grace,
the best advice I was given about the cacti seedlings was to water from the bottom. They have worked that way for me several times. As far as the wait to see them bloom, I don't know if I would wait 6/7 years to see it bloom, but I probably would just to see them grow from seeds. LOL
I missed the only one of my epis that bloomed this year. I do not get out there to much but thanks to the misting system most are looking great. Did lose a few more but at least this year not to the heat.
Sandy
Sandy, I'm sorry to hear about your ankles, it must hurt pretty bad. I just had 2 knee replacements and I can walk sooo much better and no pain. ibartoo I agree that if I can get these things just to grow it will be worth it, they are a mix of Tele Ann and Garden so I can always look up the flower to see the colors. hehe I'm waiting until spring to try again, never know what winter is going to bring around here. Hey if you would like a pack of seeds I will send you one. Just let me know.
Grace
Do you know Jim (?if I remember right that is his name, memory is gone) from Gotepis.com. He told me about early epi breeder. this breeder always waited till his seedling bloomed to cull. Well one seedling took 20 years to bloom but it was worth the wait as it was the first epi with ayellow flower
Between the ankles, the shoulder and the teeth, I have not done much gardening. I already had my knees worked on and my right shoulder, may still need to have my breast bone repaired but we are praying that will settle down on it's on. But I keep on trucking.
Sandy
Sandy sounds very painful. Hey who knows maybe if the plants live long enough to flower It will be Blue, wouldn't that be cool. I was on the cactus forum and a lady who you gave a start of the night blooming epi back in 2008 was on and she was showing the blooms. She was so excited, and it was so neat that she mentioned that it was you that sent her the start. I'm enjoying making new friends on this site and I'm glad I met you.
Grace
Thanks, I have a lot of plants but thanks to the squirrels and the Florida sun, I do not have labels or labels that can not be read on most of Them.
Just wanted everyone to know some of the seedlings I started last year survived the winter!!!! YAY..I put them in 2, 4" pots today. The one in the picture is the biggest. So stage 2 starts...I'm now hoping they survive the shock. Thanks for all your help, I used all the suggestions..and...walla.!!! LOL
Grace
Nice, they should be find.
I lost a lot of mine this last winter and the rest are not in good shape.
Mine had a really rough winter. I am in the process of clearing out and transplanting a lot of them. I broke bones in both feet in december so everything in my greenhouse was left to it's own will to live. Your seedlings look great though. I can walk normally now, but the feet are still sore, so I do a little bit at a time.
Only one of my cacti have bloomed so far and it was april showers. Very pretty, but I didn't get to see a bloom fully open.
Just thought I would check in and say hi.
ibartoo sorry about your feet.
I wish there was some one close enough to come get my poor plants, if the summer is as hot as last year and we have another freezing winter-mine will be all gone.
Even with out heating the epi house our electric bill was over 300.00 for January. That hurts.
