Fresh seed does not germinate easily, it's best to use seed that is a year or more old. I had good germination (about 70%) by pressing the seed into the surface of a peat-based mix, enclosing the container in a plastic bag, and growing under lights.

My O. guimillo died of cold and moisture. Many of the cold hardy cactus from Utah, Nevada and colorado did not do well. I once read that many of cold hardy cactus from those areas will only perform well in Z 7 and colder.I did not listen. I am in zone 8b and when I put these cactus in the ground here, they struggle. They seem to do well in pots but not in the ground. I think they need the cold hours that TexR has in Oklahoma to make them more dormant in winter. I have more success with cactus that originate from the Big Bend , Arizona, and southern New Mexico.Big bend is the best because they historically will get some rain events in winter (and summer). After 2 horrid years (for cactus), the more southern cactus (O. macrocentra, O. violacia) that also developed rot fell over and re rooted and is growing back, The northern ones just rotted completely. O. cacanpa is a texas variety and extremely moisture tolerant. O. leucotricha is a maybe for cold but good on moisture. O . robusta is hardy to about 17F and no moisture. ALL the robusta in my neighborhood died after a bad freeze a week after a good rain.If a big freeze is coming < I cut these back take in the pads and wrap the stump. Insurance. Ones in San Antonio have done fine. A couple of degrees warmer and a day less of cold than us. We get wild swings of temperatures in the winter here. The cold does not stay. O englemanni and O. lindheimeri (native to here) are good and the cow tongue englemani is great and will take cold and moisture in the ground but will ultimately be too large for a raised bed. They get huge when happy. They grow in unammended clay in Austin. Cylindropuntia imbricata texas form is very moisture tolerant where as the C. imbricata colorado form looks like hell now that I have it in the ground for three years. I have just torn it out. Cylindropuntia whipplei has not died and grows slow, but thick. It did not die with the huge floods that we have been getting but they look nothing like Tex's. Growing cactus and PPoutside is all about where you are, so look around at people in your area that have cactus gardens and find out what works in your zone and what is their sound prep. Get a hold of your C & S society. There is a good book , "Cacti and Succulents for Cold Climates" on cactus for cold hardy areas by Leo Chance Another , but harder to find is Growing Winter Hardy Cacti in cold?wet Conditions " by John Spain

Looking for late blooming rhododendrons and Japanese maples. I have to trade right now: Japanese quince -red flowering variety Gooseberry -rooted divisions Hosta - Golden Tiara, June Fever, Blue Mouse Ears, Diamond Tiara, Stripe Tease Blue Mouse Ears: -maple died during transplanting :( Golden Tiara: Diamond Tiara on right: June Fever: Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus - Opuntia Humifusa. Flowers yellow with red interior.

Its probably best but if you don't water them and the soil is dry and its not raining a lot etc its prob okay to just plant them. They don't need water when they are first rooting. You can just cut them and lay them on top of the soil and kinda heel them in and leave them alone. Usually if they rot and die its because they were too wet.