How To Grow Dinteranthus From Seeds

1. Sow the seeds in late summer, fall, or late fall. The best way to sow Dinteranthus seeds will depend on the place where you live. If you live in a country where fall is in the cold side, then it is preferable to sow the seeds in late summer.
2. Dinteranthus need a porous soil with immaculate drainage. To create a substrate like that combine coarse grit, sand, peat, and cactus mix; if you can’t find the cactus mix, you may work with potting mix. Do not forget to sterilize the soil before sowing.
3. The right container should be a pot, do not sow the seeds on seed trays because Dinteranthus need a whole year before transplanting. When selecting the flowerpot, keep in mind that clay pots dry out faster than plastic ones. If the soil you are going to use has perfect drainage then, you may opt for a plastic container, whereas, if your substrate has more cactus mix, choosing a clay pot is a wise idea.
4. There are two methods to sow Dinteranthus seeds. The first one is the most common; fill the pot with the sterilized substrate, moist it, and spread the seeds over the soil. Do not bury them, neither add an extra layer of the substrate because it will cause no germination. Proceed to cover the pot with clear plastic, a white paper, a glass sheet, or a plastic bag. The seedlings should appear in twelve days (they are minimal, so be aware). When they become visible, remove the cover.
5. The second method is more unusual, fill the pot with the substrate, spread the seeds over it, and spray them with water. Now, in a water bath put the container with the sown seeds, and proceed to cover both the water bath and the pot with the seeds. Put it in direct sunlight during three days, once the three days end put the container in the usual place of germination, and mist the seeds twice a day for twelve days.
6. Once the seedlings appear you must put them in direct sunlight. You have to do this process gradually, that means that you must place the seedlings a few minutes a day and then, increase the time week by week until the seedlings are accustomed to the sun.

Dinteranthus Care Part
Watering: the irrigation system of the Dinteranthus is a strict one. The first thing you must know is that these plants grow new leaves (they have two) in spring, during this time you must stop the watering, or they will die due to rotten roots. When summer starts, do not water the plants yet, do it in late summer. In fall, moist them up to two times. In winter, water the plant only one time in a month. Keep in mind that these plants are very delicate about water (read above) you can water them up to two times a month. If the soil is dry during their first year, and you have already water them two times, you may use a water bath to hydrate the substrate.
Light: these are plants of direct sunlight if you can’t provide them sunlight it is preferable to do not have the plants because they do not tolerate shadow places.
Fertilizer: apply fertilizer during its growing phase (spring and fall), only one time is enough. Use a light fertilizer special for cactus and succulents.
Propagation: to propagate Dinteranthus by seeds is very straightforward, though, you can take a cutting and re-pot it, but that does not guarantee a successful result.
Pests and Diseases: the water can be the worst enemy of this plant, if you overwater Dinteranthus they will have rotten roots quickly. Besides that, some animals like spiders and mealybugs may attack your plant. Spiders are not a danger because if they are on the plants is only to do spiderwebs, though, mealybugs are a real problem, they can bite your plant. In case that your plant has mealybugs, use an insecticide (20-20-20).

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