Quick Tip: Planting Cacti

Late winter is the perfect time to plant cacti from seeds. Cacti are susceptible to a disease called damping off, which attacks young seedlings. Before you plant seeds, bake potting soil in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes at 180 degrees to kill disease organisms.

1. Plant five seeds in a small pot just below the soil's surface and moisten thoroughly.

2. Cover the pot with a plastic bag and place it in a warm area, about 70 to 90 degrees. Allow two to four weeks for the seedlings to emerge.

3. Remove the bag and keep the soil moist (but not wet) for about six months. This allows a good root system to develop.

In a year you can plant the cacti outside if it's warm enough, or keep them inside in a cactus collection.

Also in this Episode

Grow It! : Episode GRW-204
•	Spring Under Glass
•	Winter Houseplants
•	Q&A: Storing Plants
•	Q&A: Flowering Bulbs
•	Q&A: Healthy Houseplants
•	Quick Tip: Planting Cacti