{"id":1739,"date":"2026-01-19T16:28:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T22:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/opuntiads.com\/oblog\/?p=1739"},"modified":"2026-01-19T16:28:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T22:28:28","slug":"cactus-seeds-are-orthodox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/opuntiads.com\/oblog\/cactus-seeds-are-orthodox\/","title":{"rendered":"Cactus Seeds Are Orthodox"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Photograph = Barrel cactus fruit and seeds, \u00a0Desertoirisebotanicals.com)<\/sup><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Some seeds\u2014avocado is a classic example\u2014don\u2019t tolerate drying and lose viability quickly. Others, called orthodox seeds<\/strong>, can remain viable for years when kept dry and cool. Most cactus seeds are orthodox, which is why well-stored packets often outlast expectations.<\/p>\n

The Details<\/h3>\n

Orthodox seeds tolerate dehydration and low temperatures; dry a recalcitrant seed (like avocado), and it dies. Two simple rules of thumb guide storage:<\/p>\n