Wanted: Rare Pediocactus species

[Glochid Fingers]

I understand many Pediocactus spp are protected or endangered. I am especially interested in finding seeds or young plants of P. sileri and winklerii, but also am looking for simpsonii.
I am returning to the hobby and am more concerned about conservation through cultivation, especially of native species. As such I have seeds to offer of other native species;
Mammillaria tetrancistra and Opuntia basilaris, and a very limited amount of Echinocactus polycephalus.

Thanks in advance.

[DaveW]

Many seeds merchants carry them. Fritz Hochstatter used to have an extensive list of them, but it does not appear on his site at the moment, though you could email him. He seems to have written most of the books about them.

http://www.tribecacteaeirt.com/introduction.html

http://www.tribecacteaeirt.com/sclero.html

I think Mesa Gardens has them too. If you just Google "Pediocactus seeds" you will find many for sale.

[Aiko]

If my Pediocactus knowltonii produces seeds this year, I could help you out in a swap. But it failed to do so in 2017.

You might also like to order some from Mesa Garden. They will send them within the US.

[Glochid Fingers]

DaveW, I may have contact Hochstatter about that. I guess what I really want to know is if it is legal to cultivate these protected/endangered species. As far as I know the only laws on them are protecting wild populations.
P. sileri is only known to a very specific locality and if I recall correctly so is winklerii. And simpsonii is common enough I just might have to buy some seeds:)

Aiko, thank you for the offer. I hope you plant is able to produce this year. I look forward to trading with you.

[DaveW]

I don't think Mesa Gardens would list them in the USA if it were illegal to sell them. It is probably illegal to take plants or seed from the wild, but not buy from cultivated sources. They are not banned like Lophophora's in the USA because they are being misused as narcotics.

They may be endangered in the wild, but not that rare in cultivation, though are tricky on their own roots as with Sclerocactus (why often sold grafted) and seed can be difficult to germinate without pre treatment.

http://www.new-mexico.cactus-society.or ... ev1-09.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnQun6KgjpA

A novel method.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZOqZx2g1Xc

[Glochid Fingers]

Those stratification methods are really interesting. I may have to try those for some high altitude opuntia seeds I have too.

Anyway, I found two of the species I was looking for at Mesa gardens and made an order. Thanks for the tip!
When I email Mr. Hochstatter I will have to ask him about P. sileri, as nobody seems to have it right now, or most seem to not produce it at all.

[DaveW]

There are a world of seed sellers out there you can try, often EU or E. European ones and whilst you may not be able to get plants into the USA seed usually goes freely over borders.

By a fluke I found a Hochsttaters (Navajo County) seedlist online. I don't know how old it is, but as you can see he used to have an extensive selection of the seed you are after, including sileri.

http://www.fhnavajo.com/arizona.html

[Aiko]

By a fluke I found a Hochsttaters (Navajo County) seedlist online. I don't know how old it is, but as you can see he used to have an extensive selection of the seed you are after, including sileri.

"SAMEN fuer Forschungszwecke/Research- nicht fuer kommerzielle Zwecke"

Meaning: for research purposes, not for commercial purposes. One could ask if private growers are welcome to place an order...

[DaveW]

He used to sell them commercially in the past Aiko as I have had seed from him, but that was quite a while ago which is why I said I did not know if that list was current. The best thing is to email him and ask. I think Mesa Gardens used to get some seed from him in the past too for their list.