parodia is ok . . . . .
davez7anv
10 months ago
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davez7anv
10 months agoRelated Discussions
Sunset Cactus, succulent and bromeliad show
Comments (4)Geoff, Ditto for me - some simply superb plants, and even not going I learned something about the variability of variegation (re the Agave applanata variegata). And the Dudleyas - like you, the finest I've seen, too. TFS....See MoreThey Call Me Mellow Yellow
Comments (13)Beautiful pics. I like the things that bloom off and on all sumer. If something was eating my cactus I'm afraid it would be it's last supper....See Morecatus seed
Comments (9)sherrih: Remember that you must keep them moist, they don't have the succulence of adult plants. They might do better in a more humid environment (but various fungal disorders find this beneficial too). Would a 5oz drinking cup be big enough to start 25 seeds? Forgot that one ... Yes, I think so, for 25 seeds I use pots about 6-7 cm in diameter unless it is big seeds like Opuntia. It should have drainage holes, which is unusual in drinking cups (at least where I live). Do not forget to shade them if you put them in strong light (even behind a window), they are easily overheated. Perhaps I should stress that I have a slightly unorthodox approach to seed raising: I start them in a mix of cat litter (fired diatomaceous earth) and pumice. To decrease growth of harmful fungi and bacteria I first add water, heat the medium in a microwave oven and let it cool down. I fill the pots, and add some coarse sand, at least on the surface, if the pores between the particles are too wide. Then I sow the seeds, soak the growing medium with Chinosol solution and let the excess water drain away. The pots are put in translucent boxes with ventilation holes, and the boxes are placed in my propagator. The lights are on during day only. I keep them in this relatively humid environment until the seedlings are big enough for the next step (about 2-3 months old). This is a difficult period, I must watch them carefully for outbreaks of diseases, and I add more Chinosol now and then. Then I transfer them to tiny (2-4 cm) pots, 1-3 plants per pot, with a more normal cactus soil - this can be difficult to do without killing them. It is not the common way to do this, most growers sow in a more nutrient-rich medium and let them sit in the original pot as long as they can. My approach works better for me, I lose fewer seedlings due to root rot and mold now. There is also the Fleischer ("baggie") method, which gives very good results for many growers, but I have never tried it. When I first tried sowing cacti I lost about 95% of the seedlings. Now 95% of them survive, it is all about finding a method that suits you....See MoreDiseased cacti. What is it? How to treat/prevent?
Comments (6)Imidacloprid is an insecticide with a very specific neurotoxin in it that only kills insects. Using this on something that has spider mites is NOT recommended as it only will kill everything BUT the spider mites (mites are not insects), and can often make a case of spider mites worse, as mites often have natural predators (some insects) which you will have killed off with the Imidacloprid. I cannot say what is damaging your cactus's exterior is spider mites, but if it is, pick just about anything else BUT Imidacloprid. Same goes for treating aloe mite (will NOT kill Aloe mite either, as it is a mite, not an insect). This is the same product that is in Advantage, the flea product you put on dogs and cats. Yes it is extremely safe for dogs and cats, but if your cat or dog has ear mites or scabies, it will not help at all as those are also mites, not insects. Same situation. Use a mite killer or some broad spectrum plant pest toxin if you want to kill mites on your plants. Note: some products containing Imidacloprid will ALSO have something that kills other invertebrates (like mites, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, snails etc.). A combo product might work OK for spider mites....See Morecactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
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