Search found 840 matches

by promethean_spark
Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:46 pm
Forum: Grown From Seed
Topic: Ilvin's Lithops Seedlings
Replies: 21
Views: 4720

Re: Ilvin's Lithops Seedlings

This time of year the old leaves of lithops shrivel up and are replaced with new ones. They will look like they're dying, just like your photo when this happens. Do not water until the old leaves are completely replaced with the new ones. Most people kill lithops because they look thirsty at this ti...
by promethean_spark
Mon Jun 27, 2022 3:46 am
Forum: Pollination
Topic: Strombocactus seed are really tiny
Replies: 11
Views: 5474

Re: Strombocactus seed are really tiny

I looked at them under a microscope, and they still looked like seeds, but maybe 1/5 as big as they're supposed to be. Maybe aborted seed?
Planted 80% of it and got 1 (one) seedling. Are there any tricks to improving seed set?
by promethean_spark
Mon Jun 20, 2022 3:18 am
Forum: Grown From Seed
Topic: Babies outside of container for first time. info?
Replies: 14
Views: 3466

Re: Babies outside of container for first time. info?

It's hard to tell t pachanoi from Peruvianus. Bridgesii will be obvious as it gets larger, the stems are about half the diameter and more blue-gray. Pictured is pachanoi from Mesa garden, with the common hardware store pachanoi in the background. They're both about 6 years growth in those spots, and...
by promethean_spark
Mon May 30, 2022 10:08 pm
Forum: Pollination
Topic: Strombocactus seed are really tiny
Replies: 11
Views: 5474

Re: Strombocactus seed are really tiny

I saw a video of ants carrying around a strombocactus fruit. Maybe the seeds drop out as the ant carries it? They also float, so rain will wash them around and into cracks and crevices.
by promethean_spark
Mon May 30, 2022 10:02 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Imidacloprid soil soak?
Replies: 26
Views: 3697

Re: Imidacloprid soil soak?

You done need to drench them, just a normal watering. The plant will become toxic to the bugs for months, you don't need to drown the bugs.
by promethean_spark
Mon May 30, 2022 10:00 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Shade cacti seedlings idea question.
Replies: 5
Views: 615

Re: Shade cacti seedlings idea question.

Yes, that will work well!
by promethean_spark
Sat May 28, 2022 3:13 am
Forum: Pollination
Topic: Strombocactus seed are really tiny
Replies: 11
Views: 5474

Re: Strombocactus seed are really tiny

The proof will be in the pudding if they germinate... Could be aborted embryos, but they looked like the seeds in microscope photos online.
by promethean_spark
Sat May 28, 2022 1:50 am
Forum: Pollination
Topic: Strombocactus seed are really tiny
Replies: 11
Views: 5474

Strombocactus seed are really tiny

For years I've been frustrated with my strombocacti, they flower reliably but always seemed to dry up without setting fruit like other cacti, the base of the flower would swell a tiny bit and then dry up within a couple weeks - never making what I'd consider a fruit. This year I had three different ...
by promethean_spark
Fri May 27, 2022 7:04 am
Forum: Member Blogs
Topic: Josh's 2012
Replies: 116
Views: 29444

Re: Josh's 2012

esc_orcutti_konegi.jpg
esc_orcutti_konegi.jpg (87.08 KiB) Viewed 2289 times
Escobaria orcuttii v konegii SB92 Luna Co, NM has put on some size since 2014!
Put up a harbor freight 10x12 GH this spring and plants are very happy so far.
by promethean_spark
Wed May 25, 2022 6:19 pm
Forum: Grown From Seed
Topic: MrXeric's seedlings 2022
Replies: 59
Views: 22269

Re: MrXeric's seedlings 2022

The substrate looks too wet, that'll create problems for growing beyond germination. With the right moisture level and sanitation, there should be no algae or moss. It should be moist but not wet. Ideally it will dry out slightly on a daily basis due to the heat from the lights pushing moisture arou...
by promethean_spark
Wed May 25, 2022 5:52 pm
Forum: Seed Depot
Topic: Looking for dudleya seed
Replies: 5
Views: 2578

Re: Looking for dudleya seed

Dudleya seed is ripe around mid-summer, mine are flowering now. Wait a few months and folks will have some on hand. Dudleya germinate best on living moss, so you can start work on a flat to start them in now. The inland varieties particularly grow on moss on rocks in habitat. I live where they live,...
by promethean_spark
Tue May 17, 2022 5:29 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Hardest species to grow?
Replies: 26
Views: 5831

Re: Hardest species to grow?

A lot of the southern california plants, such as echinocactus polycephalus and echinomastus/sclerocactus are extremely picky and slow growing, but opuntia basilaris from the same habitat is very easy. I think the problem is they expect warmish winters and water during that time.
by promethean_spark
Fri May 13, 2022 12:12 am
Forum: Member Blogs
Topic: Hana's cacti
Replies: 2582
Views: 420316

Re: Hana's cacti

I was able to keep pedio Knowltoni alive for several years watering only from late march-may (northern hemisphere), until I got careless. Most of their moisture comes from spring snow melt. Some of the others can take a bit in the autumn too. It's best to keep them in an obscure corner with other pl...
by promethean_spark
Thu May 12, 2022 11:48 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Do you like cristate or monstrose forms in cacti?
Replies: 39
Views: 6284

Re: Do you like cristate or monstrose forms in cacti?

I prefer to grow plants from seed, so I don't have many weirdoes, but the ones I do have I cherish because they're my own personal cultivars.
by promethean_spark
Thu May 12, 2022 11:33 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Most popular cactus sold?
Replies: 18
Views: 3740

Re: Most popular cactus sold?

Definitely the edible prickly pear is most common hereabouts, people plant it even in parks and ditches for later harvest - basically guerilla gardening. They're also common along fence lines on ag land for the same reason. I'd say echinopsis/trichocereus are the most common ornamentals - unlike typ...