AZS

Well done!

A link to (Opuntia) cactus breeding for those interested in such things http://www.jpacd.org/downloads/Vol1/007V1P%2019-35.pdf

The name "Leyenda" not only has a nice ring to it, but it is also a way for me to identify and track this flowering plant moving forward now that it is a pollen donor for seed. Just think, wouldn't you or someone you know want a cutting of this plant a few years from now? Or if future flowering occurs wouldn't it be easier to track crosses that way? I had originally contemplated the name “Milagro” because this unexpected flower was practically a “Miracle” for such a small plant. The two plants shown on the website were sold to me exactly as you see in the photos with the labels provided directly from SS as BK08611.4. At the time of purchase no information was provided as to the origin of these plants, which is why I included the photos as shown. The flowering BK08611.4 is now being individually tracked. When it comes down to it, does anyone really know where the plant in Jardin Botanico, Parque de las Leyendas came from originally? Does anyone know anything else about it really? Everyone knows that all seedlings have some variation from the parents and that’s what makes growing from seed so interesting and exciting. The fact that zelly was able to cross his Huarazensis with this one-of-a-kind plant was quite a feat, and I hope everyone has great luck and enjoyment growing out the resultant seedlings.

It happens ...Even to native plants like this approx. 15 year old Saguaro Seedling that's lucky enough to be getting too much water! If conditions are right, they usually heal just fine with only a scar. In 10- 20 years this one will be barely noticeable as the cactus calluses over at the base.

Likewise: What ghosty is talking about is called Cathodic Protection. http://www.cps-germany.de/index.php?id=12&L=0

I'm In Thanks!

Finally got around to some photos today - Taquimbalensis and two smaller Succseed Huancabamba's

Here's a pic of two others showing slightly larger spines. The seedling batch showed only slight variations in spine length. These are two of the longest spined specimens.

Here's a couple of Succseed Huancabamba's I planted in my yard last year. They are doing OK in the Phoenix summer sun in spite of daytime temps over 115F. I water them 2 or more times per week and spray them occasionally when it's this hot.

Sadly, some of us have heard that Zelly has been having some serious health issues and is currently in the hospital undergoing treatment. He is struggling to stay in good spirits and could really use your support. He loves chocolate and even though it is against hospital policy we may try to smuggle him a few candy bars! Bottom line is that he has been an all around great guy and instrumental in spreading some really unique seeds to all of us, many of them one-of-a-kind hybrids. So if you could spare a few bucks to show your support, cheer him up and help buy him some goodies it would be greatly appreciated! No one can survive on hosptal food for long! He wants everyone to know that all pending seed orders will be shipped by Thursday, March 5th. and he thanks everyone for their patience and support! Kindly send any donations to him through Paypal at: [email protected]

Or...plant more Cholla

These are grown outdoors under 30% shade in phoenix so they are a little stressed but doing well. - sorry but I did not see the need for pollen until after these closed up.(H, would be happy to send you some seeds if these set) I crossed all the asterias with each other then hit the myriostigma with some as well.

I got a few Juuls x Kimnach seeds from zelly a couple of years ago and these seedlings are the result. 2.5 years old and showing very consistent traits.

Seems like Zelly is back at it again! He's offering seed sales on misplant.net and soon will be offering seedlings for sale! ( think he's got a few items on ebay right now)

Got a surprise today when I came home for lunch! A nice 2+ year old Grandiflorus Hybrid from Mesa Garden seed - what a beauty! A photo cannot convey the magnificent, fluorescent color this flower has...

Crested Chain Fruit Cholla do'in its thing...

Out of a batch of Werdermannianus seeds I got one variegated seedling - It's about 1.5 years old I'm not sure how true to form it will look in a couple more years but it is interesting...

Dreamwalker, there is a secret to getting Saguaro's to grow (after a few years under a nurse plant)...it's FULL SUN -> FULL SUN -> FULL SUN

I think I have a baby one of those ....

I once grew one "semi-hydroponically" without any soil on the roots by periodically "submerging" the whole cactus, roots and all in a mild fertilizer solution for about 12 hours until it re-hydrated, then let it dry out again. It seemed to look fine and was apparently unharmed by the treatment although it was probably not optimal This process went on for several months until i finally just decided to re-plant it.

I'm in

Ever wonder why plants don't get sunburned? More protective molecules are being discovered and studied all the time and surely this is just the beginning! http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2014/acs-presspac-october-29-2014/why-plants-dont-get-sunburn.html http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja5059026 Sinapic acid: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/sigma-aldrich/structure7/099/mfcd00004401.eps/_jcr_content/renditions/mfcd00004401-medium.png Sinapoyl Malate http://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Menu2/Family/FamilyInfo/FamilyInfoImages/SinapoylMalate.png

Some interesting info. "Although UV wavelengths are absorbed by leaves and would be capable of driving photosynthesis, such short wavelengths are damaging to biological systems and plants have adapted by developing a chemical sunscreen. " ..."Beyond 700 nm (infrared band) absorption drops to near zero, and forestalls leaf heating from this source of energy. " Chlorophyll absorption and photosynthetic action spectrahttp://plantsinaction.science.uq.edu.au/edition1//?q=node/20#53