A poor college student's growing journal

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MagiCarpus
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Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2016 1:23 am
Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada

A poor college student's growing journal

Post by MagiCarpus »

Hi all, I'm am fairly new to the hobby. I used to lurk in this forum for the former half of this year, and have just recently posted my first topic regarding my cacti seedlings (http://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtop ... 45#p325845).

Since winter is approaching in a few months, I'd like to get ready in order to provide enough light to the younglings. Here is my very student-budgeted setup:
3 x Sunblaster 22" 24W T5HO 6400K lamps
3 x Sunblaster NanoTech T5 reflectors
2 X New Balance shoe boxes :wink:
1 X NOMA mechanical timer

Timer is set from 7:30 am to 9:30pm for a total duration of 14hrs. My question is, is that a reasonable duration for optimal seedling growth?
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Close-up of a particular Lithops julii var. fulleri that I purchased from Montreal. Ever since being transplanted (1 part garden soil, 2 parts gravel, and 1 part BioChar), it has shown horizontal wrinkles on its sides as well as vertical folds on the shoulders. These signs did not recover after the first thorough watering a week ago, and as the community suggested, I did wait for 2 whole weeks after transplantation before watering :idea: . The good news is it doesn't seem to show sign of rot (not easily pull from the medium and not mushy). the rest of its siblings seem to be doing fine though. Any feedback would be appreciated!
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I suck at identification :dontknow:
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MagiCarpus
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Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada

Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by MagiCarpus »

I recently went to a local club auction acquired 3 new recruits.

1) Mammillaria theresae - grafted on Echinopsis root stock

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2)Leuchtenbergia principis

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3)Copiapoa humilis var. tenuissima

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I suck at identification :dontknow:
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MagiCarpus
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Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada

Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by MagiCarpus »

It opened this evening, nothing impressive compared to many other flowers shared by experience hobbyists of this forum (e.g. iann), but wow, nothing beats witnessing it the first time in person. :D

Lithops julii v. fulleri flower. white, unscented. with compact bundle of filaments, yellow like the colour of a well-done egg yolk.
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Lastly, I posted a question regarding the current state of another lithops in the same pot, appreciated if someone could help me out.
http://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtop ... 11&t=37982

Thanks
I suck at identification :dontknow:
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kaitlyn25
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Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by kaitlyn25 »

You give another poor college student some hope, I have an incandescent on my seedlings. :)
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MagiCarpus
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Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada

Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by MagiCarpus »

Hi kaitlyn25, good to know that I'm not alone. Keeping sun-loving plants in dormitory is in fact a challenge, and I'm glad there are other people out there who are willing to make it work.

I mainly use the artificial light for seedlings and really cloudy days. Otherwise, I am lucky enough to have a south facing window in my room, which is where I keep the mature plants most of the time.

Incandescent light is simply not good enough for seedlings, and in fact inadequate for growing any plant at all , as it generates too much heat and not enough intensity. I would consider fluorescent, compact fluorescent, or if you're willing to invest, an LED system. You can check out this article here or search this forum for more information. http://cactiguide.com/article/?article=article17.php

Good luck :)
I suck at identification :dontknow:
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MagiCarpus
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Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada

Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by MagiCarpus »

This is the result of a record breaking warm October, Copiapoa humilis var. tenuissima decided to capitalize on climate change.

Oct 21st, 2016
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Oct 22nd, 2016
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I suck at identification :dontknow:
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Aiko
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Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by Aiko »

MagiCarpus wrote:Hi kaitlyn25, good to know that I'm not alone. Keeping sun-loving plants in dormitory is in fact a challenge, and I'm glad there are other people out there who are willing to make it work.
All plants featured on http://lithops-stories.blogspot.nl/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; are all window sill plants. So it can be done very well...!
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MagiCarpus
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Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by MagiCarpus »

Winter's Intrusion

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I suck at identification :dontknow:
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MagiCarpus
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Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by MagiCarpus »

Winter Shrinkage of Mammillaria duwei.... who else have feathered fur balls in their collection at this season? :D

On the left: October 2016
On the right February 2017


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Is is just me, or there's something titillating about strong roots? :P :P :P

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Meanwhile, lithops are brewing new leaf pairs, always a welcomed sight.

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I suck at identification :dontknow:
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MagiCarpus
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Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by MagiCarpus »

Within the span of less than a month...

Mammillaria duwei went from this... (Feb 18th)
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To this :D (March 14th).
The flowers are not vibrant, but pretty nonetheless :toothy4:
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It's astonishing what a little water and warmth can do, I'm in awe.
Last edited by MagiCarpus on Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I suck at identification :dontknow:
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Steve Johnson
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Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by Steve Johnson »

MagiCarpus wrote:It's astonishing how a little water and warmth can do, I'm in awe.
Ah, winter shriveling and spring plumping -- it's an experience that never gets old.
If you just want photos without all the blather, please visit my Flickr gallery.
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
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adetheproducer
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Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by adetheproducer »

Cool.

I can't wait until the weather's good enough to water my collection too. They always look great in spring with the first watering.
And as the walls come down and as I look in your eyes
My fear begins to fade recalling all of the times
I have died and will die.
It's all right.
I dont mind
I dont mind.
I DONT MIND
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MagiCarpus
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Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by MagiCarpus »

Winter is coming to an end so Rebutia steinmannii var. christinae uprooted herself and her pups in pursuit of a larger home.
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I suck at identification :dontknow:
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MagiCarpus
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Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by MagiCarpus »

Mammillaria duwei continues to tease spring.

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I suck at identification :dontknow:
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hegar
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Re: A poor college student's growing journal

Post by hegar »

For a beginner - and in addition a poor college student - you are doing exceedingly well with your cacti and lithops!
Your camera and the image quality is also to be commended. What kind of camera do you have? It looks like it does have a super macro setting. Again, congratulations to your success with growing these succulents and thank you for placing those beautiful images on this blog.

Harald
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