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Posted 3M ago by @Araceae

Gymnocalycium var seeds

Found out that variegated Gymnocalycium seeds were a thing. I don't understand? I'm more used to variegated aroids like Philodendron, Monstera, Alocasia and Anthurium, where their variegation can't be replicated in seeds; the variegation has to be cloned [of course, some have seeds that are more likely to develop variegation]. So how do succulent variegation work? Are they stable genetics? #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #SucculentLove #SucculentSquad #Succulents #Succulent #SuccerForSucculents #CactusClique #Cactus #Cacti #cacticollect #variegatedplants #MoonCactus #GregGang #Greggers #GreggersSupportingGreggers
Dont quote me on this! But i believe alot of cacti are naturally variegated. Especially gymnos
No, it is not guaranteed. Although it can be genetically passed down it is a gamble. It is a mutation caused by lack of chlorophyll production, there is no guarantee that it will be passed on.

Since it is an unstable trait there is only a 20%-30% chance of a seed having it. So while it's possible most will be just green. ๐Ÿ˜ข
@Araceae Yesss, this totally tripped me up too when I first learned Gymno variegated seeds were a thing! I came from the aroid world where variegation is like a secret code that only clones can keep ๐Ÿ˜‚ So I was like wait, seeds can do that now?? Hereโ€™s the deal with Gymnocalyciums, variegation can show up from seedโ€ฆ but itโ€™s a total roll of the dice. Most of the time, youโ€™ll get normal green babies. Sometimes youโ€™ll get one with a cute splash. And once in a blue moon, youโ€™ll hit the jackpot. Okay so picture this itโ€™s 2:17am, Iโ€™m deep in a just one more scroll spiral, and suddenly Iโ€™m staring at a listing for variegated Gymno seeds and it said limited batch magical mutations.Obviously, I blacked out and ordered themโ€ฆโ€ฆFast forward to seedling day and I had the whole scene set grow lights on full glow, lo fi beats, a cup of tea I wasnโ€™t even gonna drink. Out of 35 seeds 26 sprouted like plain green interns just happy to be here, 5 gave I might be specialโ€ฆenergy but served more ghost of a stripe than actual flair, and 2 came out full albino, panicked, and died dramatically within 48 hours (RIP lil ghosts gone too bright, too fast). But then her. One seedling emerged with soft peach swirls and pastel sass, like she knew she was booked and busy before she even had her second leaf. I named her ChaCha. She doesnโ€™t photosynthesize much, but she slays. So yeahโ€ฆtechnically variegation from seed is possibleโ€ฆ but letโ€™s be realโ€ฆitโ€™s less gardening and more casting a reality show. ๐Ÿ˜…
@JungleDreamer ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿคฃ
Loved this! Such a fun description! I want to see a photo of Cha Cha,
Ooooooh!!! She's sooo pretty!!! I love her colors! Thanks for the photo, she's incredibly striking to see.๐Ÿ˜
@JungleDreamer oh my gosh she looks loke a tiger! Is the soil just crushed lava rock?
@SuperbRaspfern Shannon, this chacha? Sheโ€™s out here living her best unbothered life zero drama, no misting, not even a hey girl when I walk by. I finally realizedโ€ฆIโ€™m not built for that kind of relationship. Iโ€™m a tropical plant parent through and through. I need high maintenance, daily check-ins, and a little emotional co-dependency.
She be like water me once a month and mind your business, and Iโ€™m like butโ€ฆ can I at least tuck you in? ๐Ÿซ 
@Araceae hey yes! black pumice gravel :)
๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿ˜ญ I feel you there I have around a dozen cacti and also around the same in succulents. I put them on their carts on south facing windows. I have learned to ignore them and check on them every 2 weeks at most.

My favorites are my tropicals! ๐Ÿฉท They enjoy my attention!
@SuperbRaspfern Honestly, I think I need plants that need me. The cactus is judging me for caring too much ๐Ÿ˜ญ
@Araceae so I have a lot of succulents, but not many of them are variegated. Gymnos in particular are highly selectively bred for their stunning variegation. Seeds are produced via sexual reproduction, so the seedling will have different genes than either parent (obviously). Depending on if the mutation is passed on, the offspring should be variegated like @SuperbRaspfern said. However, mutations can also happen in clones, which is why there are so many around varieties coming out of TC. In short, plants do weird shit with their genetics, so who TF knows lol