I've been real unsuccessful with seedlings so far, I think I've kept them too damp for too long, and I think trying now I'm struggling because of lack of light this time of the year in the UK. I have a few questions about my existing seedlings but before I ask those, does anyone know if there's somewhere I can get a decent heated propagator that includes lighting or would I need to rig up lighting myself? I could use a fish tank I figured but a) they aint heated, and b) they're more expensive than a propagator + lighting! I've read that a 20w fluorescent bulb is okay for about half a square metre or something, is that reasonable? Is there any special type of bulb? As I say ideally an all in one propagator would be best, so if anyone knows where I can find one that'd be great, local garden centres and B&Q etc. sell heated propagators but not lighted!

As to germinating seedlings I've had little problem, but bringing them on is where I've struggled, some guides online suggest just sticking them in a pot in a bag and leave it sealed for 6 months but I think my cactus have had rot problems as is from being kept too damp at seedling age so I can't see this being successful!

Anyway, onto my questions about my existing seedlings:

1. Do these seedlings look as big as they should be after about 7 - 9 months (maybe a little less)?




2. Any idea what this one might grow up to be? It's certainly the most intriguing seedling I have!




3. Are these red marks rot as I think it might be or is it something else?




4. Apologies for the blurred photo, but the bottom two pots with no perlite - are these seedlings too small for about 1month after germination? Is it likely because of lack of light this time of year? The right hand pot are firecracker cactus, the left one is sagauro.

I've been using a simple propagator and some lamps with relatively low energy bulbs.

The seedlings were Stapelia variegata, I've since potted them 3 to a pot and have them on a windowsill with other cacti now. There still fairly small, but as you've mentioned, due to the weather I thought it safer to keep them cool and dry. I potted them up as soon as fungi started to show on the medium. I now have a fan to keep the humidity down.

Had a 100% germination rate, but I'm also not too optimistic about how many will see spring, being this is my first attempt with cacti from seed.

I think the best strategy is to keep them healthy at the size they are, keep them warm and as dry as possible. I believe the roots will grow more strongly if there kept abit too dry, as the plant will search out water.

Fingers crossed.

Tom499