Jump to content
The Corroboree

hookahhead

Members2
  • Content count

    1,068
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    9

Everything posted by hookahhead

  1. hookahhead

    1st Loph flowers < 6 months (16 @ 230 days)

    Sonnet # 16 But wherefore do not you a mightier way Make war upon this bloody tyrant, Time? And fortify your self in your decay With means more blessed than my barren rhyme? Now stand you on the top of happy hours, And many maiden gardens, yet unset, With virtuous wish would bear you living flowers, Much liker than your painted counterfeit: So should the lines of life that life repair, Which this, Time's pencil, or my pupil pen, Neither in inward worth nor outward fair, Can make you live your self in eyes of men. To give away yourself, keeps yourself still, And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill. http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/sonnet/16 Flower # 16 (Day 230) Well i'll be damned, looks like we have another remarkable coincidence... Although tonight just happens to be a full moon, clearly there is no significant correlation between phases and flowers buds. This also has to be a fluke, since its' the first pup to flower. Nope, you still won't convince me these things are synchronized.... Even if they are the first buds we've seen on this plant Here's some extra pictures of the first plant, this eager little lady is actually flowering as fast as she can grow. And now back to your regularly scheduled program...
  2. STONE TEMPLE PILOT U.S. man to hike 2,650 miles to fund Costa Rican shrine ROBERT ISENBERG 3 DAYS AGO Joe and the skull. Ashley Harrell/The Tico Times Told in one sentence, the story sounds surreal: A young man hears a mystical voice in the Amazon, so he decides to walk 2,650 miles to raise money to build a stone temple in the Costa Rican rainforest, all the while carrying a crystal skull from Peru. Joe Hudson is the guy who is actually doing this. The California native spends much of his time in Costa Rica, where he owns property near Dominical on the southern Pacific coast. He’s a seasoned surfer and a professional chef. He loves the outdoors and has regularly taken multi-week hikes in U.S. national parks. He prefers not to publish his age, but Hudson is fit and upbeat and looks 10 years younger than he is. With his West Coast cadence and dreamy delivery, Hudson sounds earnest about his bizarre plan. “I always wanted to hike the Pacific Crest Trail,” recalled Hudson over Skype the other day. “But I never really had a date set on it.” Known among hikers as the PCT, the Pacific Crest Trail is a network of paths that leads from the Mexican border to British Columbia, cutting through three U.S. states and bisecting the Rocky Mountains. Already popular among long-distance hikers, the PCT became even more famous with the publication of “Wild,” Cheryl Strayed’s 2012 memoir of walking the trail alone. The full transect is a massive undertaking and requires months of physical exertion, often at high elevations. Divine Inspiration? Hudson planned to take on the PCT about a year and a half ago, but he broke his foot and had to delay the trip indefinitely. He spent some time surfing, helping a friend with his farm and cooking part-time. “I was basically putting it off,” Hudson now admits. Then, last March, Hudson decided to go to Peru, where he would visit Machu Picchu, take a boat to the Amazon, and try “plant medicine” with a local shaman. Joe Hudson (center, in red hat) poses with a group atop Machu Picchu. It was his journey to the ruined Incan city that largely inspired his dream to build a temple. Courtesy Joe Hudson While Hudson didn’t identify the plant in question, he was discriminating in his selection of spiritual rites: Hudson preferred an indigenous Amazonian village with an experienced, traditional shaman. He knew that the ritual might involve intense visions and emotional upheaval. Hudson was part of a group of travelers, and each responded to the ritual in different ways. “I don’t really hear things in my head or have crazy experiences,” Hudson said. “But in my head I heard two words, really loud and clear: ‘Get out.’ And I was taken aback. I was like, ‘What does that mean?’ You’re not really supposed to leave the temple during the ceremony. The temple is really protected. They don’t really recommend you go outside. So I just sat on it.” Soon after, Hudson flew to Cuzco, and when he looked through his porthole window, he saw a single snowcapped mountain poking through the blanket of clouds. Hudson has trouble describing how these events affected him exactly, but he suddenly sensed an oncoming revelation. “All of a sudden it just hit me: ‘Go hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Don’t wait,’” he recalled. “It was interesting, because this hasn’t happened to me before. Usually I’m a planner. I think things through. But this just hit me.” Courtesy Joe Hudson Set in Stone Hudson says his Peru expedition had a profound effect, both on him and his companions. After seeing the ruins of Incan architecture, Hudson felt inspired to build his own stone temple on his Costa Rican plot. The result is the Pacific Crest Sun and Moon Project. “I wanted something that would last for centuries, and not just decades,” Hudson said. “My idea is to build something out of stone. I want people to say, ‘You’ve got to check out this crazy temple this Gringo built in the valley.’ We’re not just going to build it randomly. We want to make sure it lines up with celestial events. I want this temple to be a cornerstone, so that the valley can grow. I can imagine in the next five or six years, we’ll have a thriving community there.” Hudson is vague on details, but he imagines building greenhouses, creative spaces and healing centers. He wants to use alternative energy systems and sustainable infrastructure. He wants a nondenominational temple – “The word temple is used loosely” – but he has spiritual expectations for the site. To raise funds for the temple and its satellite projects, Hudson is using his PCT pilgrimage as a fundraiser. He hopes to receive pledges on a per-mile basis. “If you sponsor me at 10 cents a mile,” Hudson said, “that’s 250 bucks.” As it happens, the fundraiser has already made headway: Hudson has received pledges of 50 cents per mile from friends and fellow travelers. “Without taking one step, I’ve got about $6,000 committed. I think once I get five, six hundred miles in, people are going to see the commitment level and think about supporting. I think a lot of people won’t know me, but they’ll want to support a little micro-community in rural Costa Rica.” Hudson has garnered the support of numerous creative friends, including Carey Thompson, the artist who constructed a bamboo pyramid at the 2014 Envision Festival, among countless other projects. Thompson will help Hudson with the temple’s design. Meanwhile, Hudson’s friend Jonah Bolt, an experienced radio host and metaphysics guru, is helping to write grants for the project. His friend Vinni Perri has volunteered to drive along the PCT and resupply Hudson along the way. (Stopping for provisions burns an enormous amount of time). Finally, because Hudson will have limited access to internet while hiking the trail, his friend Caroline Palmer will document the trip through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and an official website. While the journey may seem odd to some, Hudson is accustomed to eccentric undertakings: He once built a “surf pirate ship” with a friend, and he has walked across the entire state of Montana. Yet some of his more peculiar ideas have given way to practicality: Hudson hoped to bring a walking staff crafted in Peru, as well as a crystal skull. “My original idea was to take the stick with me, but it ended up being really heavy, and the skull weighs about three pounds,” Hudson said, chuckling. “As much as my mind wanted me to, I had to face the realization that it’s all about weight.” Source: Tico Times
  3. hookahhead

    Grafts -Photos & Updates

    @Myeloblast, it would add an extra 30 sec to toss a piece of paper towel on top of them ;) @Hostilis, arios are one of the species that seems to turn BRIGHT red no matter what (at least for me). Though it's a bit different than the purple/red sunburn look. The foil from Hershey kisses, or those mini Reese's cup also make convenient coverings
  4. hookahhead

    Small Plastic Cylinder Uses

    Save them all in a box and return them to the company that made the register tape in the first place?
  5. hookahhead

    The life of a grafted button

    Yeah I somehow missed this until now too. Awesome job philo, absolutely stunning plant.
  6. Hmm, I hadn't even considered adding another milk crate I had planned on just unrolling it, but I think a second crate is a much better idea. Send me a pm, but I'm going to send 2, they've all sprouted eyes and I have at least 10 left.
  7. hookahhead

    Grafts -Photos & Updates

    Hostilis, about 6 months ago I started covering my freshly done grafts with a ~1in square of paper towel. I use a technique similar to cling wrap so I don't worry much about knocking the scion off. I remove the plastic after 5-7 days, and recover the graft. Typically, I'll pre shape the towel a bit by pulling over the tip of my thumb. Though, if I am worried about the scion, I will spread it out more and use the pereskiopsis leaves for support. Lately, I have been placing a dab of chapstick on opposite sides and about a 1/2 inch from the top of the stock; and forming a loop over the scion. Thanks I have 2-ply paper towels and when the scion starts to show growth, I usually split it and cover the scion with only a single layer. I keep them covered until I feel they can handle it (usually 3 weeks from graft). I have noticed a lot less red, and think they grow a little faster. Before, they would take about a week or two to recover before taking off. Though some seem to go red no matter what (i've covered a few with foil) I started doing this because I grow a lot of stock close together, and of course each one doesn't reach optimal height at the same time. I have also been grafting several different species. Now, I don't have to worry about limiting other grafts, or the stock itself which can handle much more light. My light is 8x23w t5 (2ft bulb) and my grow cabinet is cramped, so I don't really have the luxury of moving plants or lights around. Edit: These are old pictures, and I'm working on moving them all into the sun
  8. Had to add some soil already, these are such fun to grow! They still have 5 month to grow until harvest
  9. hookahhead

    Help First Graft Attempt

    Sorry but I also forgot to mention that if your scion has spines on it, It will make this method much more difficult. To get around this I trim them as close as I can with fingernail clippers. However, with anything bigger than seedlings, I don't use anything and impale graft them. The biggest problem beginner grafters have is messing with them. Don't bump, poke, prod, or even stare at them wrong Set them and forget them, check on them a week later.
  10. hookahhead

    Help First Graft Attempt

    I think this was already brought up, but the cling wrap technique has worked fairly well for me in the past. Though I hate that stuff with a passion, and have started using those plastic "lunch lady" gloves. The clear ones that don't fit tight to your hand. I cut a finger off, roll the bottom a little bit and then stretch out the part that I just rolled a little (roll vertically, stretch horizontal) Then pull this down over the scion and hold snugly in place with a clothes pin. After a week, 5-7 days, remove the clothes pin and slide a toothpick or something similar from the bottom to make sure the wrap is not stuck to the scion. Then just pull off the finger, I spray inside with a little isopropyl alcohol and reuse a few times. Tangich suggests parafilm, and lets the scion push its way through. However, my pereskiopsis tries to throw out shoots all of the time, and I don't know how that would work for me.
  11. hookahhead

    Led grow lights

    Sorry to revive this topic, but I recently found this information and thought it would be useful. Admittedly, it's a bit of a sore subject for me.... DETERMINATION OF ASSIMILATOR PIGMENT CONTENT IN CLADODES OF OPUNTIA FRAGILIS VAR. FRAGILIS EXPOSED TO LIGHT OF DIFFERENT COLORS EMITTED BY LEDs.pdf STUDIES REGARDING THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT WAVELENGTHS OF LEDS LIGHT ON REGENERATIVE AND MORPHOGENETIC PROCESSES IN IN VITRO CULTURES OF ECHINOPSIS CHAMAECEREUS F. LUTEA.pdf
  12. This one isn't specifically for flowering, but I found it quite interesting and it's fairly recent (2012). Effect of indole butyric acid on micrografting of cactus.pdf Treatment with indole butyric acid (IBA) 3x at 100ppm was found to be optimal for scion height and diameter, cambial layer diameter, areole numbers, activated areole numbers and successful graft percentage. Concentrations above or below this mark were not nearly as effective.
  13. hookahhead

    1st Loph flowers < 6 months (16 @ 230 days)

    Sonnet # 15 When I consider every thing that grows Holds in perfection but a little moment, That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows Whereon the stars in secret influence comment; When I perceive that men as plants increase, Cheered and checked even by the self-same sky, Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease, And wear their brave state out of memory; Then the conceit of this inconstant stay Sets you most rich in youth before my sight, Where wasteful Time debateth with decay To change your day of youth to sullied night, And all in war with Time for love of you, As he takes from you, I engraft you new. Flower # 15
  14. hookahhead

    What did you do to your cacti today?

    Starting to move more plants outside These will be repotted this week hopefully. T. pachanoi (front), T. peruvianas (left) T. bridgesii (right) TBM
  15. hookahhead

    Zelly's trich crosses, got pics? post here please

    Moved these outside today. Juuls Giant x Lumberjack Lumberjack x Juuls Giant
  16. I have already made a few offerings in hope of appeasing the cacti gods enough to grant you more freaky flowers this year.
  17. Yeah, I completely agree that no conclusions can actually be drawn from the limited sample size. This was a very poorly conducted experiment and several factors could have influenced the results... I didn't keep up to well with watering the top part, which would have probably helped. Perhaps the one area where a root tried to push out, couldn't actually make it into he burlap. I also have no idea what the likelihood of it developing many roots are, since I don't have any clones from it. Although this is a possibility, I don't think it's very likely. I did wrap it very close to the bottom, but wrapping the actual union might be helpful. Though it was never intend as a "control" the The psycho0 x super pedro shows roots can develop other places than the bottom, and including the area that I wrapped on the other plant. I don't think they are able to make much of a distinction between the ground, or some kind of obstruction. Instead, I believe the arial buds are caused by photosensitivity and their ability to root as logs. From my observations, aerial roots tend to develop when a side of the plant receives low levels of light. For instance, I have a Icaros DNA peruvians that is a little over 2ft that has root buds nearly the entire length on the "back" side, because it was next to a wall. This is possibly why they appear at the bottom a lot of times, because the plant is blocking it's own light No, this wasn't any kind of controlled study. Humidity/temp are something to consider, and I believe I have seen it suggested that aerial roots may help the plant gather extra moisture. I still argue that light has a much greater role than moisture in this effect; I seriously doubt any significant amount could be collected through small fat root nubs.
  18. hookahhead

    What did you do to your cacti today?

    What I find interesting is the Bridgesii x Validus that is a lighter green color. Where the heck did the short spines come from
  19. hookahhead

    What did you do to your cacti today?

    Since were on the subject... here's a couple grafts from zelly's crosses Validus x Lumberjack Bridgesii x Validus (front 2) This plant wasn't grafted for very long before I accidentally knocked it off a couple of months ago. However, its now rooted and growing quite lovely. T. Pachanoi "Mystery" (WSS)
  20. hookahhead

    The Good, Bad, and Bugly

    Recently I have been looking into biological pest controls. Most people are familiar with some of these such as lady bugs or predatory mites, however there is a wide range of pest control options from fungi, bacteria, predators or parasitoids. In my search I came across an amazing resource (http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/index.php). It is my plan to read several of these over the next couple of days and compile a list of which predator goes with each pest because the website doesn't seem to do that, and I feel that is a more appropriate way to organize the data. I would also eventually like to compile this into some kind of pdf, but that seems like a rather difficult and lengthy task at the moment. As I've said before, wholesale use of pesticides effects the good and bad organisms alike. I have started a similar topic regarding the use of plant compounds as an effective pest management strategy, Organic Garden Pests-Aside! Predators The arthropod predators of insects and mites include beetles, true bugs, lacewings, flies, midges, spiders, wasps, and predatory mites. Insect predators can be found throughout plants, including the parts below ground, as well as in nearby shrubs and trees. Some predators are specialized in their choice of prey, others are generalists. Some are extremely useful natural enemies of insect pests. Unfortunately, some prey on other beneficial insects as well as pests. Insect predators can be found in almost all agricultural and natural habitats. Each group may have a different life cycle and habits. Although the life history of some common predators is well studied, information on the biology and relative importance of many predatory species is lacking. In this document, we have included the more common and better understood beneficial predators. Major characteristics of arthropod predators: adults and immatures are often generalists rather than specialists they generally are larger than their prey they kill or consume many prey males, females, immatures, and adults may be predatory they attack immature and adult prey Relative Effectiveness Most beneficial predators will consume many pest insects during their development, but some predators are more effective at controlling pests than others. Some species may play an important role in the suppression of some pests. Others may provide good late season control, but appear too late to suppress the early season pest population. Many beneficial species may have only a minor impact by themselves but contribute to overall pest mortality. Often too, the role of the beneficial predators has not been adequately studied. Surveys of agricultural systems give an indication of the potential number and diversity of predators in a crop. For example, over 600 species of predators in 45 families of insects and 23 families of spiders and mites have been recorded in Arkansas cotton. Eighteen species of predatory insects (not including spiders and mites) have been found in potatoes in the northeastern United States. There may be thousands of predators per acre, in addition to many parasitoids. Although the impact of any one species of natural enemy may be minor, the combined impact of predators, parasitoids, and insect pathogens can be considerable. Predators Table of Contents Pathogens and Antagonists of Plant Disease and Post-Harvest Decay Insects and mites, like plants, humans, and other animals, can be infected by disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Under some conditions, such as high humidity or high pest abundance, these naturally occurring organisms may multiply to cause disease outbreaks or epizootics that can decimate an insect population. Diseases can be important natural controls of some insect pests. Some pathogens have been mass produced and are available in commercial formulations for use in standard spray equipment. These products are frequently referred to as microbial insecticides, biorational, or bio-insecticides. Some of these microbial insecticides are still experimental, others have been available for many years. Formulations of the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt, for example, are widely used by gardeners and commercial growers. Most insect pathogens are relatively specific to certain groups of insects and certain life stages. The microbial products do not directly affect beneficial insects and none are toxic to wildlife or humans. Specificity, ironically, can be a disadvantage to the commercialization of these products because their small market may limit profitability. Unlike chemical insecticides, microbial insecticides can take longer to kill or debilitate the target pest. This may limit their use to crops that can sustain some insect damage. To be effective, most microbial insecticides must be applied to the correct life stage of the pest, and some understanding of the target pest's life cycle is required. Some microbial insecticides must be eaten by the insect to be effective. Good spray coverage is therefore important. Major characteristics of insect pathogens: they kill, reduce reproduction, slow growth, or shorten the life of pests they usually are specific to target species or to specific life stages their effectiveness may depend on environmental conditions or host abundance the degree of control by naturally occurring pathogens may be unpredictable they are relatively slow acting; they may take several days or longer to provide adequate control they may cause epizootics Microbial insecticides are compatible with the use of predators and parasitoids, which may help to spread some pathogens through the pest population. Beneficial insects are not usually affected directly because of the specificity of a microbial product, but some parasitoids may be affected indirectly if parasitized hosts are killed. Insecticide applicators should note that although microbials are non-toxic to humans in the conventional sense, safety precautions should be followed to minimize exposure. Pathogens Table of Contents Antagonists Antagonists of plant disease and food spoilage microorganisms are not yet well understood. However, the research that has been done has yielded exciting and promising results, and the study of antagonists has become a rapidly expanding field in plant pathology. Worldwide, diseases of crop plants cause losses estimated to be 12%, and post harvest losses due to food spoilage have been estimated to be between 10% and 50%. In the United States, these figures are estimated to be 12% and 9%, respectively. Finding ways to prevent microorganisms from causing these losses would help ensure a stable food supply for the world's ever expanding population. Outside of agriculture, diseases can cause the destruction of entire stands of plants in marshes, forests, or other natural settings, and in other plant systems. Knowledge of the interactions among microorganisms and ways to manipulate microbiota is growing as research in this field rapidly expands. Antagonists have been successfully used to suppress tomato mosaic, foot and butt rot of conifers, citrus tristeza disease, and crown gall of several crops. Seeds have been coated with antagonists that reduce infection by pathogens and also enhance plant growth. Brown rot of peaches in storage was controlled under simulated commercial conditions by incorporating the antagonist Bacillus subtilis into wax used in the packing process. Inoculation of hosts with antagonists has been used with good results against a common fungal pathogen of conifers and chestnut blight. The future also holds much promise for the suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes by microbiota. Growers have applied antagonists to the above-ground parts of plants, to the soil (and roots), and to plant seeds. The above-ground environment is the least stable for antagonists because of the extreme variability in moisture and nutrients. Soil is a more stable environment for microbiota, but soil in most fields is generally nutrient poor, pH may range from 4-8, and temperatures and moisture may vary widely. In contrast, greenhouse planting mixes can be managed more effectively to promote antagonist colonization. Finally, it is practical to treat seeds to favor microbial antagonists. To be most effective, antagonists of plant disease and food spoilage should be: genetically stable effective at low concentrations easy to culture and amenable to growth on an inexpensive medium effective against a wide range of pathogens in a variety of systems prepared in an easily distributable form non-toxic to humans resistant to pesticides compatible with other treatments (physical and chemical) non-pathogenic against the host plant Relative Effectiveness Under ideals conditions, such as in the laboratory, antagonists can completely protect plants from pathogens. In the field, disease control is likely to be less successful. Proper deployment of the antagonist appears to be crucial. Critical factors include moisture and nutrient availability and pH. If the deployment system can meet the needs of the antagonist, successful colonization is more likely. Careful selection of an aggressive strain of the antagonist is also important. Parasitoids Insect parasitoids have an immature life stage that develops on or within a single insect host, ultimately killing the host, hence the value of parasitoids as natural enemies. Adult parasitoids are free-living and may be predaceous. Parasitoids are often called parasites, but the term parasitoid is more technically correct. Most beneficial insect parasitoids are wasps or flies, although some rove beetles (see Predators) and other insects may have life stages that are parasitoids. Most insect parasitoids only attack a particular life stage of one or several related species. The immature parasitoid develops on or within a pest, feeding on body fluids and organs, eventually leaving the host to pupate or emerging as an adult. The life cycle of the pest and parasitoid can coincide, or that of the pest may be altered by the parasitoid to accommodate its development. The life cycle and reproductive habits of beneficial parasitoids can be complex. In some species, only one parasitoid will develop in or on each pest while, in others, hundreds of young larvae may develop within the pest host. Overwintering habits may also vary. Female parasitoids may also kill many pests by direct feeding on the pest eggs and immatures. Major characteristics of insect parasitoids: they are specialized in their choice of host they are smaller than host only the female searches for host different parasitoid species can attack different life stages of host eggs or larvae are usually laid in, on, or near host immatures remain on or in host; adults are free-living, mobile, and may be predaceous immatures almost always kill host Relative Effectiveness Whereas insect predators immediately kill or disable their prey, pests attacked by parasitoids die more slowly. Some hosts are paralyzed, while others may continue to feed or even lay eggs before succumbing to the attack. Parasitoids, however, often complete their life cycle much more quickly and increase their numbers much faster than many predators. Parasitoids can be the dominant and most effective natural enemies of some pest insects, but their presence may not be obvious. It is often necessary, to determine the extent of parasitism, to dissect or rear samples of pest insects to see if any adult parasitoids emerge. Parasitoids can be parasitized by other parasitoids. This phenomenon, known as hyperparasitism, is a natural occurrence, can be common, and may reduce the effectiveness of some beneficial species. Little can be done to manage hyperparasitism. Pesticide Susceptibility Parasitoids are often more susceptible to chemical insecticides than predators. Adult parasitoids are usually more susceptible than their hosts. Immature parasitoids, especially if protected within the egg of their host or in their own cocoon, may tolerate pesticides better than adults, but immature parasitoids will usually die if their host is killed. Parasitoids Table of Contents
  21. I am a passionate ecologist and I enjoy plant research. In about 2 weeks, I will start my "summer job" for a third year. I will be paid a decent wage to hike around a beautiful forest, spending the day counting flowers. We have 125+ plants tagged/GPS located to study reproductive trade-offs of my state flower. Our research is institutionally funded, and I am proud to say that I have received 2 awards for presenting, as well as have my name in a published journal because of it. With that said, I present you with my cactus air layering research. Scientific method: Formulation of a question: How can I root my cactus before degrafting? Hypothesis: Air layering will encourage root development for grafted cacti. (Null = minimal or no roots will be formed) Prediction: Layering is more complicated than taking cuttings, but has the advantage that the propagated portion continues to receive water and nutrients from the parent plant while it is forming roots. This is important for plants that form roots slowly, or for propagating large pieces. Since I have observed root buds on several Trichocereus scions, I believe air-layering will provide a way to significantly increase root development while still on the grafting stock. Testing: This plant has certainly grown a good bit over the past several months and roots are now visible below the wrapped area. At first, I tried to look "down the barrel", but couldn't see much. So I decided to investigate further. Expecting to see numerous roots, I carefully unwrapped the burlap. The result was rather dismal, this is was the only sign of root development. This untreated Psycho0 x Super Pedro severely contradicts my hypothesis. Conclusion: Despite only trying this on one plant, air-layering does not seem to offer any benefit. However cacti never cease to amaze me. The pup I posted earlier is developing a second root, and even one of my perskiopsis has arial roots! So back to the original topic.... here's an update on my TPQC x TPM "L1" On occasion, it puts out these strange areole "bumps" that haven't grown after several months. So, I've started using these for grafting.
  22. hookahhead

    The Good, Bad, and Bugly

    Possibly a clover mite then? They are quite common, fast moving and won't have webs. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/mites/clover_mite.htm
  23. hookahhead

    The Good, Bad, and Bugly

    I would imagine that some spiders do eat spider mites, however I doubt you would notice a significant difference. Of course this is only an assumption and nature is full of odd-characters. Here's my rational: Spider mites are typically smaller than spiders (they can hide) Although I'm not certain, I believe spider mites can move fairly quick Spider mites reproduce rapidly Spiders use a "sit and wait" tactic I actually looked the last one up. Wiki says "Most spiders that hunt actively, rather than relying on webs, have dense tufts of fine hairs between the paired claws at the tips of their legs". Despite this, I doubt active hunting species will stick around any one area for a given time. Unfortunately (?), I can't answer your 2nd question. However, if you need help identifying your problem these links may be useful. http://www.clemson.edu/cafls/departments/esps/factsheets/turforn/to13_spider_mites.html And of course, we need one for cacti too http://www.magicactus.com/red_spider.html This is from the sister-thread on plant oils. Good luck bud, i'll try to do a bit more digging for you.
  24. hookahhead

    Copiapoa hypogea.

    Awesome job myco, thanks a lot for sharing the idea and explanation.
×