Conophytum Calculus from seed

As an alternative to my ugly cactus/succulent collection post category I have also started some conophytum calculus seeds just sprouted today. The first members of my cute cactus/succulent collection. Photo of seedlings later. For now here are the beauties at Huntington gardens in LA. I rename them funny little smiling face cactus (tho not technically cacti)

Started them in the same way as the pseudolithos in the previous post. 

My knowlage of succulents, limited though it is, comes from  The Timber Press Guide to Succulent Plants of the World: A Comprehensive Reference to More than 2000 Species and Toms blog Theatrumbotanicum

Pseudolithos migiurtinus from seed

Bought some Pseudolithos migiurtinus seeds on ebay. 

This is the newest member of my ugly cactus/succulent collection. 

I have them controlled for temp, light and humidity using a light bulb for heat, my LED grow lamp for light and plastic bags for humidity. Heat is easily controlled by checking the temp and moving the light bulb. As for soil I started with a commercial cactus soil. 

Here they are just sprouted about 5 days after planting them: 

On DOL 3 transfered one to a more appropriate soil: 

-one part commercial potting soil (baked in oven to sterilize) 

-one part perlite

-one part washed play sand

Much larger at 2 and a half months old

Starting to get its characteristic texture (and uglyness) at 7 months old

As I had been warned was possible if not likely with this species it suddenly melted away overnight. No idea why. About a year and a half old at the time.

My knowlage of succulents, limited though it is, comes from  The Timber Press Guide to Succulent Plants of the World: A Comprehensive Reference to More than 2000 Species and Toms blog Theatrumbotanicum