Hey everyone!7

I wanted to sow some seeds this week but I am not sure of the best way to do it.

I trying to decide between several 2,5 inch square pots or a single tray. Which one is usually better?

Plus if I were to go with pots, how many seeds should I place into one pot? And if I go with the tray, how big should it be for a total of 70 seeds (different species, including opuntias, mammillarias, san pedros, ferocactus and parodias)

Thanks in advance!

The density at which you sow sort of depends on the viability you expect for your seeds. If they don't all germinate, you probably would want to sow more than the number of actual plants you want in the pot at the end. I typically sow about 15 seeds in a 4 inch round pot for Mammillarias and similar, expecting over half to germinate. For a total of 70 seeds, that would mean 5 pots that size.

You can sow them together (I always sow separately) but you need to be careful not to put fast plants next to slow plants, because they will need to be transplanted at different times. This has a lot to do with the size of the seed (Opuntia >> Mammillaria for example). I'd recommend sowing big seeds separately.

Your choice of container may also relate to your ability to keep it covered. You will need a (clear plastic) lid on top for several weeks to months for most of the plants you mentioned. Regular plastic wrap will work fine, or a clear plastic lid from another container that you bleached for reuse, or a lid specifically designed to go with the container. One reason I like to sow all my seeds separately is that it gives me the ability to lift the lid for only the ones that are ready.