Search found 698 matches

by RichR
Thu Jul 14, 2022 10:23 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Planting seedlings how to prevent fungi
Replies: 6
Views: 1184

Re: Planting seedlings how to prevent fungi

I use hydrogen peroxide to soak the seeds in for 10 minutes, then rinse with tap water and dry. This will eliminate any microorganisms or spores that might harm your seedlings. If you want to treat your soil you can saturate it with tap water (I use distilled since my water is so hard) and bake it i...
by RichR
Fri Apr 29, 2022 1:40 am
Forum: Grown From Seed
Topic: Mammillaria humboldtii seeds
Replies: 4
Views: 1464

Re: Mammillaria humboldtii seeds

Thanks for the info.
by RichR
Thu Apr 28, 2022 3:56 pm
Forum: Grown From Seed
Topic: Mammillaria humboldtii seeds
Replies: 4
Views: 1464

Re: Mammillaria humboldtii seeds

Thanks, Keith. Do you remember how long it is from pollination to fruit?
by RichR
Thu Apr 28, 2022 11:37 am
Forum: Grown From Seed
Topic: Mammillaria humboldtii seeds
Replies: 4
Views: 1464

Mammillaria humboldtii seeds

Does anyone grow Mammillaria humboldtii? I have pollinated dozens of its flowers and am wondering when the fruits will appear. Someone told me you have to dig the seeds out. I'm not sure what that means.
by RichR
Fri Aug 20, 2021 10:02 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Three little words?
Replies: 7
Views: 1585

Re: Three little words?

"Tiger clutch accomplice." Sounds like the Alzheimer's test I do when I get my annual wellness checkup.
by RichR
Fri Aug 20, 2021 11:18 am
Forum: Pollination
Topic: Pollinating Astrophytum
Replies: 2
Views: 4016

Re: Pollinating Astrophytum

Thanks, Mr. Xeric, I will try your suggestions next time.
by RichR
Fri Aug 20, 2021 1:05 am
Forum: Grown From Seed
Topic: Ordering seeds from Europe
Replies: 5
Views: 1723

Re: Ordering seeds from Europe

Thanks all for your posts. I have gone the USDA route and submitted an application for import permit. I also will ask Koehres for a phyto certificate. It probably is a good idea to keep overseas orders small in case your shipment is confiscated by US Customs.
by RichR
Wed Aug 11, 2021 12:34 pm
Forum: Pollination
Topic: Pollinating Astrophytum
Replies: 2
Views: 4016

Pollinating Astrophytum

I have been having a very poor success rate when pollinating Astrophytums, particularly asterias and myriostigma. I don't think it's my technique because I am much more successful when it comes to pollinating other genera. Could it be that the flowers are just not producing pollen? My brush does not...
by RichR
Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:28 pm
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Mealies and flat mites and scale -- oh, my! (Updated 6/11/2022)
Replies: 134
Views: 124901

Re: Mealies and flat mites and scale -- oh, my! (Updated 7/26/2020)

Thanks, Steve. That's good news, in a way. The other alternative would be that imidocloprid doesn't work on my mealies. What do you think of my dilution ratio? Is 2.14% too much?
by RichR
Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:55 pm
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Mealies and flat mites and scale -- oh, my! (Updated 6/11/2022)
Replies: 134
Views: 124901

Re: Mealies and flat mites and scale -- oh, my! (Updated 7/26/2020)

Steve, I have mealies trying to take over my cactus greenhouse. I have around two thousand cacti, mostly young ones under 2 years old. I found an old bottle of Dominion, which has 21.4% imidacloprid in it. I don't know how old it is but it has to be at least several years since I don't remember buyi...
by RichR
Tue Aug 03, 2021 10:27 pm
Forum: Grown From Seed
Topic: Ordering seeds from Europe
Replies: 5
Views: 1723

Ordering seeds from Europe

I recently submitted an order for seeds from Kohres and they told me that the US Customs has gotten much stricter about importing seeds. Phytosanitary certificates and several other forms apparently have to be requested and filled out and it just seems incredibly complicated. Has anyone had a recent...
by RichR
Mon Jul 19, 2021 11:53 am
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Repotting without falling to the sides.
Replies: 7
Views: 1753

Re: Repotting without falling to the sides.

I tie a piece of string around the cluster-firmly, but not too tight, then they will stay together while I clean the old soil off the roots and then place them in the new pot. Occasionally a use a 1/2" strip of gardening velcro on cacti with shorter and/or tougher spines. The string works best ...
by RichR
Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:51 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Ants?
Replies: 12
Views: 2730

Re: Ants?

I have had tiny black ants in the greenhouse more than ever this year. They have been going for the ripe fruits and they will clean one out, seeds and all in short order. I have to keep on top of them daily or they will take all the seeds I've been waiting for. They have lessened somewhat, since mos...
by RichR
Fri Feb 12, 2021 6:09 pm
Forum: Greenhouses etc.
Topic: Propane heating
Replies: 4
Views: 3408

Re: Propane heating

Thanks for the replies. I have added more insulation and covérings for the less cold-tolerant species. I have decided to bring most of the seedlings into my house. The latest forecast low for Monday night is 10F so I'd rather not take any chances.
by RichR
Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:47 pm
Forum: Greenhouses etc.
Topic: Propane heating
Replies: 4
Views: 3408

Propane heating

Are there any problems with uuing propane heaters in a greenhouse? We may have temperatures in the upper teens next weekend and I don't think my electric heater alone will keep the temperatures above freezing. I mostly have species that can tolerate freezing temperatures but I am concerned about the...