Up-date on my Zygo-cactus seedlings

[patticake]

I posted a picture awhile back when they first germinated. One of them just recently took-off!
I'm excited because this is the first time I've posted pictures-sized etc., Without my son's help! There's hope for this old bird!

[patticake]

The first photo of these seeds were on a thread that I started a few months ago.

[arleneg]

Cool! They're cute!

Where did you get the seeds?

What type of potting medium is used for a Zygo-cactus? Cactus potting mix?? I have a couple I'd like to repot, but am not sure if it's a regular potting mix or a special type.

[patticake]

I posted about these guys way back- I started the seeds from a cross that I made over 3 yrs. ago. It takes the seeds 2 years to mature. I kept the seeds until after we moved, and started them in November of last year. A lot of experts said they couldn't be grown from seed- Hmmm.... Where did they think they came from I just use regular potting soil. Peat, a little sand and some pearlite. They like to be treated more like succulents than cactus. They aren't really cactus as the common name implies. They like to be a bit pot-bound also. I have a couple more pods developing on my larger plants from this past Dec. They'll be ready in a couple of years!

[made4engineering]

WOW! No leaves! Ever! Everyone knows these are epiphytes right?

[patticake]

To be honest, I don't know a lot about them except they're from rain forests and aren't cacti as people think. I just love to grow them. The parents of the seedlings were killed off in my house freeze last year. Not where I am now. I had the seeds with me so they were o.k.- Since I couldn't find any advice as to how they should be grown from seed, I just "winged it"! I only ended up with 3 seedlings- but hey, that's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!

[made4engineering]

Actually, they are cacti... Schlumbergera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[patticake]

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle! Thanks for that link. I knew that they were from rain forests, but assumed that that meant that they weren't cacti. That assuming gets me into more trouble! I picture cacti growing in the desert.- How 'bout that? Hmmm.... maybe I'll do some experimenting with some of them- (not the seedlings!)

[patticake]

Here's an up-date on the babies! One died, one isn't doing well, but the other one is kicking butt!!!

[solay]

Patti, it looks great. Imagine 2 years for seeds. Soooo long to wait. Now look what all that patience has gotten you. Can't wait to see it bloom. What color are you expecting?

[patticake]

Dear Solay.... When I crossed these two plants, It was a few years ago, and I didn't even think of what the out-come would be.. I just wanted to see if I could do it! The "experts" said that it couldn't be done.. I will keep better track of crossings, etc., from now on! I'm just so happy that this little guy has made it!!! He's now doing GREAT!!! Even if he blooms "crappy", I can be proud of the fact that I brought a seed to fruition!!!

[arleneg]

Patti,

Your baby zygo-cactus looks really good and cute! Do you have any idea when it's blooming size? I can hardly wait to see the blooms!

[brookn]

Amazing, Patti, that's a lot of patience. It's really growing now, I can't wait to see a bloom on it.

[solay]

Patti, you will be rewarded with beautiful blooms. I'm sure of that. My guess is it still will be a while for blooms. Guess now we all have to be patient. Hee! Hee! Hee!

[patticake]

Update!! 1/03/09!! I had the baby doing well, but figured that since there were no buds, it would take another year to bloom. Imagine my surprise, when I spotted a bud on the baby a couple of days ago!!!

[fred]

hmmm Patti I like this one
looks like that will be pure white as well
I can not wait for the bud to open
looking good
thank you for the update

[solay]

Oh my! That is a wonderful surprise. I can't wait to see it myself. You've done a great job growing it for sure. Imagine from a tiny seed too. Congrats!!!

[patticake]

I'm really happy because I thought I would have to wait another year for blooms! It's not bad since I planted the seed just over a year ago. Of course it hasn't bloomed yet, so

Fred, my white one starts out looking white in bud, but then gets a pink blush to it, so we'll see. The seed pod itself, was dark pink on this one. The seed pod on the plant I have going now is white. Go figure!