1.       You can get the substrate used for planting cacti by mixing garden soil, fine sand (granulation up to 2 mm) in even proportions and by adding small pieces of broken bricks or pearlite. This last ingredient is very important for cacti because it allows better substrate drainage. If the substrate doesn’t have good drainage, there is a chance that most cacti will die during germination. If you want to go down the easier path, simply buy a Cactus mix. Sterilize the substrate to avoid fungus appearance, which can completely destroy all seeds. You can use any kind of fungicid. But it is enough to simply bake the substrate in a microwave for at least 3 minutes or in an oven for 45 minutes. You need to cool the substrate off after that.

2.       You can use containers of any kind for planting cacti. They don’t need to be deep; about 1.5 inches (4cm) is enough. The important part is that the container has holes at the bottom to let off the water surplus, and the more it lets off, the better. You can lay the bottom of the container with small pebbles, so the hole doesn’t clog up with substrate. One container can hold a few seeds, there is no need to separate them, and it isn’t recommended either because cacti like to be close together.

3.       Put the prepared substrate in chosen container, shake it and softly tap the surface so the soil can settle, there should be no air left in it. Be careful not to overfill the container, so leave about 0.8 inches (2cm) from the top.

4.       Water the substrate plentifully and leave it, so the water surplus can drain off. It is recommended to water it by submerging the container.

5.       Lay the cactus seed on the moist surface of the substrate and gently tap it with a flat object. You shouldn’t do it with your fingers under no circumstances. It is usually not required to cover the seed with another layer of substrate, except when it comes to bigger seeds.

6.       You can keep the substrate moist with see-through glass, foil, plastic bag or something similar. It is important to keep the distance between the substrate and glass. Drops of water on the glass indicate if the amount of moisture is enough or if you should additionally water it.

7.       The container with seeds should be put on a bright spot, not exposed to direct sunlight. The temperature needed for seed germination must be over 68°F (20°C). Cacti can be bred from seed at any time of the year, if you can provide them the afore-mentioned warmth and moisture, and later on, light for at least 10 hours a day. During the winter period, you can achieve this by using artificial light source.

8.       Depending on the cactus breed, it will start growing in a week or in a couple of months. Until the germination process starts, you cannot open the container. When the first cacti start appearing, gradually let the fresh air in every day, but not by opening the container completely and exposing it to the external climate. You should open it gradually, day by day. If you immediately expose baby cacti to external climate, more than 80% of it will surely die off, and the rest will shrivel up. You can open the container completely when you determine that your cacti are strong enough. It is considered that in order to achieve best results, you need to keep them covered and under strong light, for at least 6 months.

9.       Young cacti do not need to be separated until it’s absolutely necessary. This means that they can stay together up to two years. Plants that have just went through the germination process are not as sensitive to water as mature plants, so you shouldn’t let the substrate dry completely. It’s best to spray them every day.