One man went to sow ......my diary

[Wilk]

If we were only looking at the top 1cm , Mamm' Herrerae would be a good fit but it's wrong. Not even the right genus, so Solisiodes is out too. Solisiodes also has too many letters to fit on my label . Maybe I just have large writing??

It may help if I say that it's completely atypical of the species that are more commonly seen in this genus. Come on guys! How's that for a clue!

[Wilk]

A single picture of Echinocereus Lauii. I am very pleased with the germination rate for obvious reasons. A very pretty species but not on MG's seed list so I bought from www. Echinocereus.com. Very good germination all round, good prices and generous portions. All I have to do now is keep them alive for a few more years!

[Wilk]

The answer to the quiz question I posed on the previous page is..........................Thelocactus. Not your typical shape for this genus.

Here's one I pictured quite a long time ago on this thread. Actually there are 3 plants but one has grown much quicker than the other two:


Here's another columnar. Again one of the three has outgrown its siblings:


One final columnar. Again one bigger than its siblings. A rather yellowy green skin. To its left is a more typical Thelocactus shape:


I must admit to not knowing what 2 and 3 are. I will have to look in my book and announce later.

[Wilk]

I have to admit that I did not grow this one from seed though I have had it for years since it was very small. It was in a 3 inch black plastic pot until earlier this year but looks far nicer in a clay pot. Three weeks ago I was wondering if it was dead but now its looking lovely. It is, of course, a conophytum.

[esp_imaging]

2&3 (and 1) look like Hildewinteria / Cleistocactus - maybe hybrids

[mmcavall]

Congrats for the Conophytum, Wilk, it is admirable.

[Wilk]

I shall use the names from MG whose seed it is:

1. Hildewintera Colademonensis
2. Cleistocactus Candelilla
3. Bolivicereus Samaipatanus

The Conophytum has to an extent thrived on neglect and might look nicer still had a slug not draped itself over the top and nibbled several flower heads. Slug has sadly gone to Heaven.

[Wilk]

Here are a few of my 2 year old Echinocerei. Really cute. You can't beat a few good spines. None of those baldy beasts.

Tayopensis

Parkeri

Pacificus

Nivosus

Delaetii

Spinnigemmatus

Scheeri

Polyacanthus

[Wilk]

Here are a few mesembs:

These Titanopsis were in the same packet despite some being flat and others tall. I prefer the flat ones

More flat Titanopsis


Nananthus Wilmaniae

[Wilk]

A few more of my babies:

Morawetzia Sericata


Mamm Cowperae - the only survivor but what a beauty


Weberbauerocereus


Matucana Madisoniorum


Copiapoa Haseltoniana


Eriosyce sp


Copiapoa Gigantea


More to come shortly.

[Pushrestart]

A single picture of Echinocereus Lauii. I am very pleased with the germination rate for obvious reasons. A very pretty species but not on MG's seed list so I bought from www. Echinocereus.com. Very good germination all round, good prices and generous portions. All I have to do now is keep them alive for a few more years!

These are so adorable, if I had those the temptation to squish them would be high..... but they have spikes...
Btw beautiful mesembs and cacti family you got there. Love that conophytum in bloom

[Wilk]

Firstly two seedlings which germinated within a short time of one another. What's going on?


Rather better here:


Hoping to turn into one of these lovely things:


Here's my sole surviving Denmoza. It's been very slow but is at last beginning to show some nice spines. Sown early 2014.


My only packet of Echinofossulocacti. Only 4 germinated but all have lived:


Echinocactus Grandis. About 15 germinated! 2 survive. The seed mix was a bit too organic:

[Wilk]

My favourite Astro - Ornatum (v mirbellii)


A different variety of the same species:


Thanks to Tina for the seed of these, whatever they are:


Finally a species I am fond of, Echinocereus Pappillosus. Sciarid flies ate the last batch. Surely this time:

[Wilk]

Here's my 2017 seed list. I have decided to try a few species which I have not grown many of before. The numbers are MG numbers though I have realised I can get the Copiapoas and some others a lot cheaper from a Czech supplier I have used before. Assuming they arrive before Xmas I plan to sow them over the Xmas holiday period.

[mikej]

How old are your Astrophytum ornatum v mirbellii seedlings in the photo from 22 October? (I have some tiny seedlings of that variety and wonder how long until they look like yours.)