Detailed Guide to Succulent Cutting Propagation Methods and Seed Germination and Sowing Steps

Friends who have fallen down the rabbit hole and are deeply hooked will want to try sowing succulent seeds themselves, but how can succulent seeds bought online or collected by yourself be made to germinate? Perhaps you need to carefully read through these steps for planting and sowing succulents.

Steps for planting and sowing succulents

I. Pre-treatment of succulent seeds

1. Seeds must be sown at a suitable temperature. If the temperature is too high or too low, it can easily lead to a low germination rate or complete failure to germinate. Generally, the following sustained temperatures are needed for sowing: Crassulaceae, 20°C; Lithops, 15~25°C; Conophytum, around 15°C; Cactaceae, 30°C.

2. The seeds of each variety must be sown in one pot or seedling box; do not sow multiple varieties in the same pot or seedling box! Many people easily sow multiple varieties in the same seedling box, which creates a problem: newly sprouted seeds need light, while seeds that have not yet sprouted need to be kept away from light, making it impossible to handle.

3. The soil used for planting needs to be sterilized. It is recommended to add water to the soil and stir it until wet, then put it in a plastic storage bag, without sealing the bag opening, and place it in a microwave to heat and sterilize. Choose microwave, 10 minutes. After taking it out, spread it into the pot; once it has cooled completely, it can be used. Microwave-treated soil can effectively remove insect eggs, weeds, and pathogens.

II. Sowing succulent seeds

1. Prepare the sowing container and the soil for sowing. The soil should have relatively fine particles (because succulent seeds are generally very small), drain well, allow air through, and have a certain water-retention capacity.

2. Spread a thin layer of bottom stones at the bottom of the small square box to help the plant drain water and retain moisture. If there are no bottom stones, you can use 3-6 mm bark, ceramsite, or even small stones picked up by the roadside as a substitute.

3. Put the soil into the pot, level the surface, and soak it in water until thoroughly soaked.

4. You can spread a layer of small particles (1-3 mm) of vermiculite or akadama on the surface. Vermiculite or akadama retains water and allows air through, and their color differs when dry versus wet, so it is easy to see when the soil is dry. If you do not use small-particle vermiculite and akadama, you can skip this layer, but you must use tweezers to pick out the perlite floating on the soil surface after the soaking is finished, so that there is no perlite on the soil surface (that is, the small white granular stones).