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In Succulent Care Guides

The Beginner's Guide to Growing Succulents from Seeds

Are you interested in growing your own succulents from seeds but not sure where to start? Happy Succulent Care is here to back you up.

This comprehensive guide will explore the advantages and disadvantages of growing succulents from seeds. We'll answer all your questions: what you need to get started, how to prepare and plant the seeds, and how to care for your succulent seedlings.

Key Takeaways:

  • Choose a well-draining succulent soil mix and shallow containers with drainage holes for optimal seed germination.
  • Select high-quality succulent seeds from reputable sources to increase your chances of successful growth.
  • Be prepared for a long germination process, as some succulent species can take several weeks to sprout.
  • Implement pest prevention strategies to protect your delicate succulent seedlings from common threats.

Why Grow Succulents from Seeds?

Growing succulents from seeds is an exciting journey that allows gardeners to witness the full growth cycle from tiny seeds to mature, thriving plants. But why choose seeds over leaf propagation?

When you grow your baby succulents from seeds, you have the pleasure of watching the plants grow from the very beginning, experiencing the wonder of nature firsthand. Each stage of growth becomes a rewarding journey as you nurture and care for your succulents.

  • Most cost-effective way to expand your succulent collection: Every seed is a surprise, potentially adding something new and distinctive to your garden or indoor space.
  • Perfect for long-distance shipping: Ordering seeds from another continent? No problem! Seeds travel well and arrive in perfect condition, unlike mature plants which can suffer during long trips.
  • Ideal growing conditions: With germination trays, you control moisture and temperature perfectly, especially in winter or harsh summer.
  • Best for rare succulent varieties: Some rare succulents are almost impossible to buy as living plants. Growing from seeds is often the only way to get these elusive beauties into your collection.

Growing succulents from seeds demands patience, as these plants have longer germination periods compared to other types of seeds. This patience is not just about waiting; it's about learning to appreciate the journey. It's slow but steady and very rewarding, we promise!

Potential Challenges Germination from Seeds

Despite the many advantages, there are some challenges to growing succulents from seeds, including the need for proper drainage and constant care.

One of the significant hurdles when growing succulents from seeds is the requirement for specific growing conditions. It's more complex and needs more preparation than growing from leaves.

Succulents are known for their ability to thrive in arid environments, so replicating these conditions is crucial.

Through many experiments at Happy Succulent Care, we've concluded that succulent seeds often have low germination rates. So it's essential to plant a large quantity of seeds to ensure successful growth. But don't panic! You're in the right place. So let's get started

Step by Step Guide 

Step 1: Preparing Your Supplies

Before open your tiny seeds package, you'll need a few key items:

  1. Shallow planting trays (should not more than 4” deep) with drainage holes
  2. An oven (for sterilizing soil)
  3. A toothpick (for planting seeds)
  4. A clear lid or plastic wrap (for covering trays)
  5. Coconut cord

Step 2: Preparing Your Soil

The ideal soil mix for growing succulents that need drains well but still retains enough moisture to keep your plants happy. So you can use Coconut cord instead or find out the magic formula to mix Happy Soil (you can find here) your own.

Before planting, pasteurize your soil mix by baking it at 300°F for about 30 minutes. This kills any pesky bugs or bacteria that could harm your seedlings. Let the soil cool, then wet it thoroughly and allow it to drain.

Step 3: Planting Your Seeds

Now for the fun part! Using your clean hand and open seeds package carefully. Your babies are very tiny so don’t breath hard.

  • Sprinkle your succulent seeds evenly over the damp soil surface, giving them a bit of space to grow. Use a toothpick to gently spread them out. Don't bury them -- succulent seeds need light to germinate.
  • Cover your tray with a clear lid or plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse effect. This keeps the soil moist and warm, which is perfect for germination.
  • Place your tray in a bright spot, but avoid direct sunlight. Keep the temperature around 70°F and open the lid twice a day for ventilation.
  • Use a spray bottle to mist water and keep the soil moist but not wet. Remember, too much water can drown your seeds.

Step 4: Germination Time: The Waiting Game

Watching your succulent seeds sprout is like playing a game of "peek-a-boo" with nature. Each type of succulent has its timeline for germination, so it's like a surprise party where you never know when the guest of honor will arrive!

Most succulents take around 2-3 weeks to appear. Others are eager beavers, popping up faster, like Sedum, Echeveria, or Burro's Tail in 10 days.

Some succulents are pretty lazy, like living stones (lithops) or jade plants; they need more than four weeks to sprout. It's all part of the fun!

Step 5: Caring for Your Seedlings

Once your seeds sprout, it's time to give them some more attention. Remove the lid during the day to keep the air moving and prevent mold growth.

Keep the soil moist but not soggy for the first week or two. This is when your seedlings are developing their roots, so they need a steady supply of water.

As your seedlings grow, gradually introduce them to more sunlight. Start with an hour or so each day and increase it over time. This helps them adjust to their new environment without getting sunburned.

Step 5: Replanting Your Succulents

Replanting your succulents is like helping them move out of their childhood home and into their first apartment. It's a small step, but very important for their growth and independence.

After about six months, your succulents should be ready for traveling. Gently remove them from the planting tray, taking care not to damage their delicate roots.

Choose a pot that's slightly larger (1” more or less) than your succulent's current size. Add some rocks or gravel to the bottom for drainage well. Then mix up a batch of fresh soil that's perfect for your succulent type. It's like giving them a cozy new bed to sleep in!

Place your succulent in the pot and add more soil around the roots. Press down gently to secure it in place. Wait a few days before watering to give your plant time to adjust.

Step 6: Ongoing Care

Congratulations, you're now a succulent parent! To keep your plants happy and healthy, remember:

  • Succulents love light, but not always direct sunlight. Rotate them regularly so all sides get enough light.
  • Water when the soil is dry about an inch below the surface. Overwatering is the most common mistake, so err on the side of caution.
  • Wipe off dust and dirt from your plants occasionally to keep them looking their best.

With a little patience and care, you'll have a thriving succulent collection that you grew from tiny seeds. How cool is that?

Our Experience Growing Pachyphytum 'Ganzhou' from Seeds

As many of you know, we’re always on the lookout for new and exciting plants to add to our collection at Happy Succulent Care. Last winter, we decided to try my hand at some unique succulents from seeds -- Pachyphytum 'Ganzhou'.

I ordered the seeds from a Chinese online shop. The waiting game began, and let me tell you, it felt like an eternity. As the days turned into weeks, I started to wonder if this old dog had been tricked by some new internet game. But lo and behold, after a month of checking the mailbox like an impatient child, the package arrived.

Excited to start with the same care was given to every plant in this house for the past 25 years, I prepared a seed tray with our special well-draining succulent soil mix. Those seeds were so tiny, my reading glasses got a workout as I sprinkled them on top of the soil. I set the tray up near the window, rigging a grow light to make up for those short winter days – a little trick I've picked up over the years.

Now, I've grown my fair share of plants from seeds, but these succulents really tested my patience. Four weeks in, and I was checking that tray more often than I check my mail box.

Six weeks in, I saw it – tiny green specks poking through the soil. I nearly did a jump right there. Over the next few days, more seedlings emerged. In the end, about 60% of the seeds germinated. Not perfect, but hey, at my age, you learn to celebrate the victories, big or small.

The Last Words

So, to all you succulent enthusiasts out there, young or old, I say give seed growing a try. It might test your patience, but trust this old shopkeeper – when you see those little seedlings growing into beautiful, one-of-a-kind plants, you'll feel a pride that makes it all worthwhile. After all, in the world of succulents, good things come to those who wait! 

 

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