remove pulp from seed the seed requires a 8 week pretreatment at 40F. Then lightly cover the seed soil temp 59-72F & takes 14-35 days to germination.

It's all good, Gal. I've oft noted the less than clearcut "northerlieness" of varied locations, like your Maine example.........and depending on which type of map one is viewing, the various types of distortions necessary to fitting all the land masses on the flat sheet of paper.....can even distort this further. But no matter. Whaas, I like Symphoricarpos too, although I do know of some folks having that plant in their gardens wishing they didn't, what with the vigorously stoloniferous habit it has. Guess it all goes down to where you have it and what you are trying to accomplish. But you're right-it is very reminiscent of the shrub genus in discussion here. I'd be more inclined to use coralberry where I wanted straight-up colonization of a portion of a site, in other words, a more naturalistic planting. I think it is native to our part of the world as well. For that matter, the white-fruited Symphoricarpos alba is quite nice too. Rina, I have to admit, I see Toronto and other Canada words in your posts and get the idea we're in similar climactic conditions, but we're still colder here, never rising above a Z5 designation. Then there's years like last year, where cold-hardiness is really put to the test here. We shall see. This is a fun topic for discussion, but that's really about all it is at this point! +om

http://www.dunecraft.com/resources/cactus_plant_information.htm "Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii Ruby Ball Cactus Originating in the Chaco Boreal in Paraguay, this plantÂs most unique characteristic is its color. The body of the cactus is grayish-green with red highlights. When the plant is exposed to gamma rays it loses its chlorophyll and becomes bright red. The plant is considered to be a miniature cactus. It only grows to be one inch high and has a two inch diameter. It was originally discovered growing under bushes where it was only exposed to direct sunlight a few months out of the year." http://home.att.net/~larvalbugbio/cactus1.html "This Paraguayan cactus is very common in the bargain baby cactus sections of most plant nurseries and it is also the species used to produce the red grafted cactus that is on normal, green stock. The red is produced by subjecting the normal cactuses to gamma rays to eliminate chlorophyll. The red version can produce flowers but not roots, and can't feed itself and so lives off the stock onto which it is grafted." And from the very site you cited: http://www.lapshin.org/cultivar/N2-3/colect-e.htm Read under "My new colored Gymnocalycium: From the seeds irradiated by ultraviolet rays". It states "The irradiation took place the third day after the sowing of the seeds. The distance from the quartz lamp to the soil was not more than 16 cm. The irradiation lasted 15 minutes. By the moment of irradiation the skin of some seeds had already burst. Further these seeds gave "colored" seedlings." www.lapshin.org/cultivar/N12/histor-e.htm seems to be the only page you can cite for your information. That page does not address "urban legends". Perhaps the Japanese developed something similar to the neon cacti we see in stores. These plants aren't just variegated, they're completely devoid of any chlorophyll. http://www.hi-ho.ne.jp/bk_ashiya/img/hibotan-n.jpg Here we see "Hibotan", a bright red cactus, growing on its own roots. The boldly neon colored ones can't do this. When you Google images of Hibotan-nishiki (nishiki meaning "tapestry"), many of them are growing on their own roots. Is it not possible that the ludicrously neon ones are only being called Hibotan-nishiki, and, in fact, ARE being irradiated? I quote from towards the end of the article you posted that said that Hibotan-nishiki were cultivated by Eiji Watanabe: "The above story has been widely circulated, but there are some doubtful points. In those days, origins were not revealed, and Watanabe was agood [sic] story-teller."

The foliage is quite nice and has not been affected by temperature swings. If the flowers don't ever get above 2", I guess I'll continue to keep it for foliage alone. I am keeping my fingers crossed for taller stalks in the spring. Walter Moores