Your young succulents or cacti should be taken out of the planting tray once they are big enough to be handled and moved securely. However, don’t rush this procedure: It’s preferable to retain them a little longer than necessary in a smaller space rather than remove them before they’re ready. Usually, after six months or so, it’s ready to replant.
Succulents are typically simple to transplant since their root balls are quite compact. Lift the plant without pulling on the roots by gently loosening the soil around the base. Remove any dead roots and old soil with your fingertips.
How are succulent seedlings preserved?
You may have started your collection of succulents by purchasing a little plant from the garden center or a clipping.
There is no reason why you shouldn’t gather some seeds and use those to create your very own succulent crop.
To save your own seeds, there are a few things you should know. First, the seeds must be fertilized, which in this case doesn’t mean feeding them plant food. Instead, it means bringing the two parts of the seed together, just as in all other types of life.
The plant’s ovum, or eggs, must be pollinated by—you guessed it—pollen.
After that, they transform into seeds that can be sown for growth. A plant does not necessarily produce seeds just because it produces blooms.
Therefore, you either assume that function with the aid of a paintbrush to spread the pollen, or there must be one or more insects.
Bees, butterflies, and a variety of other insects take care of this for plants outdoors, but if your plants flower indoors, you’ll need to take care of this part yourself using the paintbrush technique.
The majority of succulents appear to create a stalk or spray with a succession of flowers that open all the way up.
Many plants have this cunning little characteristic that is intended to entice insects back over a week or two so they can consume the nectar or, more likely, distribute pollen accidentally.
Depending on whether the flower is pollinated—some necessitate cross-pollination with pollen from a different plant—will determine this. When you push the tiny seed pods between your finger and thumb, they will feel firm and appear a little thicker.
This will show that the seeds have formed, as will the tint (a light tan color).
Depending on how meaty the stalks and blossoms are, this may take a week or longer. They are surprisingly wet for a plant that can endure such dryness.
Because the seeds are so tiny and will fall out when the seed pods ripen and dry up, it’s a good idea to place the entire stalk into a paper bag after they feel dry to the touch but before they break and release the seeds.
Shake the bag sometimes for a week or two, and then look to see if the dust is indeed seeds.
If you want to store the seeds properly, place them in a pill bottle, preferably with one of those little silica gel packets from vitamins or prescription medications to keep them dry.
The majority of succulents, especially the sensitive varieties, can be sown right away. The winter sow strategy works best for the hardy ones.
What will you do with all of these gorgeous tiny plants you now possess? Here are some alternatives:
Are succulents challenging to cultivate from seeds?
You can move your seeds securely to new sites after they have developed into large enough plants.
Growing succulents from seeds isn’t particularly difficult, but it does require the right tools and some patience, just like growing any other kind of plant from seed does.
You should be able to produce your own succulents as long as you are patient and adhere to the aforementioned instructions.
How do seeds from succulent plants look?
It ought to be obvious, but choosing seeds from a reliable supplier will make a significant impact! Many succulent seeds resemble dust or dirt, making them easily mistaken for other objects.
The Walawala Studio store on Etsy is my go-to place to get succulent seeds. They have a wide variety of seeds, some of which are more uncommon species, and the seeds are of the highest caliber.
Great seeds are also sold by other retailers on Amazon and Etsy. Just make sure you read customer reviews before you buy. It will take some time to determine whether succulent seeds are what they claim to be, even though they are not particularly expensive.
How long are seeds good for?
If you store your seeds properly, you may relax and enjoy abundance for many years to come, whether you have a few of your family’s heirloom beans or you simply want to maintain good germination rates for the following season.
In perfect storage circumstances, beans, like Chocolate Runners, are among the seeds that can last the longest before sprouting. Fruition Seeds and Petra Page-Mann, with permission.
There are many seeds that, even when stored in your kitchen cupboard for three years, will maintain excellent germination. Some seeds can persist for centuries if properly stored.
What circumstances must exist for seeds to sprout? The opposite conditions should be applied to seeds if you want them to store. The following four factors can help you maintain good germination rates for many years to come:
The key to seed storage is lowering humidity to lower the risk of mildew and early sprouting.
I adore you if you’re preserving your own seed! And before you store it, make sure it is extremely, really dry. At Fruition, we continuously wick moisture away from our seeds as they are dried by fans. Who can measure the about 7% moisture that is your target? The bend test can be used with big seeds. Does your seed break or bend when you apply bending pressure on it? Your seeds are dry enough to store if it breaks. Leave the fan on if they budge, then try again the following day. We conduct our bend tests with two pairs of tweezers on small seeds, such as tomato seeds.
The best thing to store alongside your seeds in airtight containers are desiccant packets. Although we provide larger, longer-lasting packets that we use on the farm so you may trust them for many seasons to come, they are typically found in nori, vitamins, and shoes.
Your seed will keep for a longer period of time at a lower temperature. However, constant temperatures are preferable to erratic ones, so pick a location with steady temps instead of one that gets chilly periodically. Consider bears, bats, and other animals that hibernate: It is simpler to tolerate winters that are cold with occasional temperature rises as long as the temperature stays below a particular level.
Here in the northern hemisphere, buildings’ north sides often experience more stable temperatures than their south sides.
You have favorable storage conditions for your seeds if the combined value of the room’s temperature and humidity is less than 100. Naturally, the lower the number, the better. For instance, Fruition stores our seed at 40 F and 30% humidity, which equals 70. Thank God, it’s less than 100! Although it is hardly necessary to purchase specialized tools, this rule is a good one to remember.
Like all seeds, cilantro keeps best in a constantly cold environment. Fruition Seeds and Petra Page-Mann, with permission.
We have allowed many seeds to end up as rodents’ dinner. Your seeds are kept safe and fairly airtight in glass or metal jars. I prefer clear glass so I can check to see if they are mold-free by peeking at them. There’s also Tupperware, but I’ve definitely lost seed to cheeky mice that managed to eat through the plastic.
UV radiation can be harmful to us and seeds alike. The longer seeds will store, the darker you keep them. Seriously, one of the best locations to keep your seeds is probably in your kitchen cabinet.
The seeds of parsnip and alliums (everything in the onion family, including shallots, leeks, chives, and scallion) frequently lose their germination by 50% each year, regardless of conditions, even though the majority of seeds stay viable for years and frequently decades. A lot of herbs are also difficult to keep. Their delicate, thin seed coat quickly oxidizes, reducing their ability to germinate. In the upcoming seasons, plant them as densely as you can and store them as best you can.
WAIT! Eat your five-year-old onion seeds before you compost them! The next time you look at a “everything” bagel, you’ll notice the inclusion of well-known little black allium seeds. I enjoy using their toasted onion fragrance in many meals, especially curries and stir-fries. Recall that if they are not black, they have a coating and should be delivered to the compost at the earliest opportunity.
True, seed banks keep their stock of seeds in freezers. The seeds are kept at 0 F in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway.
Seeds can be kept for a long time by freezing. It probably won’t make much of a difference if you’re expecting to plant them in a few years, but it couldn’t hurt. Be certain you only freeze seeds that are 100 percent dry.
When freezing seeds, we place a desiccant packet alongside the seeds and let it work for three days to absorb any surplus moisture. After the third day, we are certain they are completely dry and put them in the freezer.
Most likely, the kitchen cabinet wins. Although not cold, it is steady in temperature and is dry and dark.
Closets often have constant temperatures, minimal humidity, and are dark and chilly.
How long do seeds stay fresh?
Every winter, I begin to consider the seeds I might want to sow in my garden for the upcoming spring and summer. I initially rummage through the half-empty packets of seeds that were left over from the previous year (and in some cases, several years) and wonder if any of them are still viable before I get too far in my planning. Normally, I just shrug, plant the seeds, and wait to see what happens. If the seeds fail to sprout, I purchase new ones. This haphazard method of planting is obviously not ideal because by the time I realize the seeds haven’t germinated, I may have already fallen behind schedule by several weeks.
But this year, I made the decision to look into how long seeds last. I was a little taken aback to discover that seed viability varied greatly depending on the kind of plant. Whether or not the seeds have been pelletized or pretreated will also have an impact on the viability of the crop. That viability fluctuates even under ideal storage conditions shocked me less.
Seeds should be kept in a cold, dry, and dark environment. Put the seeds in a container that is both watertight and airtight, such as a zip-top bag inside a jar or a jar with a rubber closure (such as a baby food jar or canning jar). Some individuals keep the seeds in a jar in their freezer or refrigerator to keep them cool (preferably below 50 degrees).
Seeds that are properly stored and maintained will last for at least a year and, depending on the plant, up to five years. The average shelf life of properly stored vegetable and flower seeds is shown in quite a few tables on the internet. Here is a list of those resources. The condensed version for various vegetable seeds is as follows:
How long do succulents need to grow after being planted as seeds?
Your plants may take three days to a few weeks to start growing, depending on the kind of succulent, the temperature, and the amount of sunlight. It’s crucial to perform your research before purchasing your seeds in order to estimate growing time (some may even take several months to a year to germinate).
Which succulent grows the quickest?
Naturally, the location and inherent characteristics of low-maintenance succulents affect their growth rates. One of the fastest-growing succulents, for instance, is the Echeveria, whereas Haworthias grow somewhat slowly. The former increases from just two inches to six to eight inches in twelve months, whereas the latter increases from two inches to around five inches in more than twelve months. How quickly can succulents grow, then, is a question without a clear answer. There is no denying that houseplants or succulents typically grow quickly.
Your favorite succulents have unique growing and hibernation seasons, which is another fascinating quality. Succulents do not grow during the dormant season but instead grow during the growing season according to the environment and their natural growth rate. This blog will offer a wealth of knowledge regarding the rates of growth of various succulent species.
Fast Growing Succulents
It’s important to comprehend what fast-growing succulents entail. These succulents start off with little to no growth within a month. However, the plant’s growth rate appears to be fantastic throughout the course of the following four to six months.
Examples of Fast Growing Succulent Plants
- The three fastest-growing members of the aloe family are Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis, and Aloe arborescens. In just under a year, these houseplants grow from two inches to six inches.
- One of the tall succulents that grows quickly is called the String of Buttons (Crassula perforata). It increases in height by at least a foot and a half. For the optimal growth, these non-toxic plants prefer direct and strong light.
- Another species with a reputation for rapid growth is the Mother of Thousands or Kalanchoe. If you enjoy houseplants with spectacular growth, think about using succulents for your landscape, such as Lavender scallops or Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi. The Kalanchoe diagremontana, Kalanchoe marmorata, and Kalanchoe tomentosa are further members of the family.
- Echeverias have exceptional growth rates, as was previously mentioned. The best examples are Hens and Chicks. In around a year, a two-inch plant can reach a height of six or eight inches.
- The Sedum rubrotinctum, popularly known as the jelly bean plant, is a member of the Stonecrop or Sedum family and has a remarkable rate of development. To reach around a foot in height, it takes about a year.
- Century plants, often known as agaves, are succulents with large growths. Initially growing into exceptionally large plants in a period of two to three years, the size is that of a human fist. Agave stricta, Agave attenuata, and other species from this family are examples of those with rapid growth.
How to Make Succulents Grow Faster?
You must give your houseplants the right care if you want to hasten their rate of growth. If you provide them with a pleasant environment, you’ll see that they grow slowly and contently. Here are some pointers to make sure succulents develop quickly:
- Be sure the potting soil drains properly. For optimum growth, select a normal cactus potting mix. You need to do a little extra research to get the proper soil type if the succulent has specifications for a special soil type.
- Similar to this, make sure the container you choose has adequate drainage holes. The plant could decay if not. Because it breathes, terracotta is a viable option as a potting material.
- Make sure to water at the appropriate time and in the proper amount. When you believe the soil is fully dry, add water. You should also water the soil rather than the leaves or stems directly.
- Give the succulent adequate light so that it can grow properly. Prior knowledge of the plant’s lighting requirements is essential. Typically, succulents don’t like long periods of direct sunshine. Your plant may be growing abnormally long because of a lack of sunshine.
- Cut off the old leaves if the plant has begun to look scraggly.
- Fertilizers are typically not needed for succulents. However, if you want faster development, you can feed them once during the growing season. Utilizing organic fertilizers is ideal.
How quickly do succulents grow?
Succulents’ rate of growth is influenced by a number of factors, including temperature, light, soil, humidity, and water. It also depends on the species’ natural development factors. However, in the majority of situations, succulents grow slowly in the first few months before accelerating as they get older. Succulents, especially those that grow quickly, typically have a noticeable growth rate by the fourth or fifth month.
How to grow big succulents?
Make sure to choose succulents that grow quickly on their own. In addition, you must create the ideal conditions for growth in order to achieve outstanding growth.