Heyyyy !!! I have got 8 seedlings of Epithilantha Micro and am just ecstatic !! After several failures using differnet methods and mixtures to germinate seedlings of one of the more difficult to grow cactii, I finally hit upon the ideal (I presume) method of germination. I had emailed Dave61 the following (and I followed it to a 'T')...

"Hi Dave,

I dug lightly into the peat (in which I had planted my seeds) and managed to salvage about 3 seeds !! (out of the 15 odd I had planted). Anyway, they have shown absolutely no signs of germination. I have been roaring through the internet trying to find information about correct procedures for growing seed and I have come across the following common ideas

(1) As you have already said - covering with cocpeat is a big no no.

(2) The seeds have to be dried for about a couple of weeks before sowing them.

(3) Use sifted river sand as the sole medium (no nead to add any other medium to this) - the sifting removes the finer sand and so inproves drainability and prevents the sand from locking/binding together. Also, sterilze the medium by wetting it a bit and then exposing it to microwaves for about 4-5 minutes on high setting.

(4) As you have said, sow the seeds directly onto the surface.

(5) Always keep the top moist - for abvious reasons

(6) MOSS - dont we hate that !!??.

(7)As for watering needs - the common solution seems to be watering/misting the medium with a 1/10 dilute solution of fungicide to keep the medium squeaky clean..

(8) Once germination is observed, in addition to the fungicide soultion, you might want to add enough liquid fertiizer to make up a 1/10 concentration. To explain further - If the directions on your particular liquid foertilizer suggest 1 level teaspoon for 1 liter of water (for seedlings), then, put 1/10th of that amount.

(9) Continuous use of the above formulated watering medium is very beneficial for seedling protection and growth.

Last but not the least folks, I have never done the above steps before, but looking at the logic behind each step. it seems to garauntee success. Therefore, I am going to try this with my new batch of seeds from the Epithilantha that I got about 4 days ago - they are still being dried. I will report on ths success of this...

Regards-Ajay"

Anyway, one mroe very important point for those of you who do not have a tray soil heater, look tp one of the more practical solutions sitting in your kitchen - Yes ! I mean a fridge. I read one artical wherein the author actually kept his trays of seeds at a constant temperature on the top of his fridge, at the back portion where most of the heat is generated due to the compressor motor. It works. Especially here in Victoria where temperature shifts are notorious.

Anayway, I would like to tahnk all of you who supported me by ways of ideas and encouragement, and in a few monthds remember - I will be having a few Epi.Micro. for swapping. So, keep in touch !!

Cheers - Ajay