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I have just added over 60 cacti from about a dozen varieties to the SAB webstore I'll be adding a bunch more in coming weeks, including a range of interesting hybrids

Ayahuasca banisteriopsis "Cascabel" (personal photo - do not reproduce) Called "Rattle" ayahuasca because it's bark looks like the skin of a jungle snake in the genus Crotalus (perhaps?). Interestingly, from what I can tell, there are no rattle snakes in the jungle so the actual snake it is named after may be another type of pit viper without the rattle! "Genus Crotalus: The most common representative of this genus is the famous Rattle Snake. However, there are no Rattlesnakes in the low Rain Forest areas of Peru, but there exists a non venomous snake that locally goes under the name of Cascabel Falso or False Rattle snake, which looks very much like the real thing but is not venomous." The rattlesnake Crotalus durissus lives on forest margins and adjacent savannahs. Crotalus durissus looks like this: There is a similarity there. Found this: "Mestizos in the Upper Amazon generally refer to the various Bothrops species as jergón in Quechua or as vibora in Spanish. The Spanish term cascabel, rattle, usually refers to the genus Crotalus, the rattlesnake, which is not found in neotropical environments, but rather in dry habitats such as the savannahs in Guyana. In the Upper Amazon, the term cascabel may be used to refer to juveniles of the genus Bothrops." From http://www.singingto...8/04/snakebite/ I.e. Bothrops atrox, from Peru: ... Cascabel: (Personal photo - do not reproduce) Further to that, if my memory does not deceive me, this strain of ayahuasca is referred to as Cascabel euphemistically, substituted for Thunder (i.e. Rattle = Thunder), because this strain of caapi brings the thunder, and in that sense Cascabel has dual meaning, identifying the plant from its appearance and also from its quality during ceremony. In my experience equating this plant with thunder or bringing thunder is apropos, indeed! Micro.

Here's a closeup of one of the active growing crested monstrous areas

I had read about what the twists symbolize but i had forgotten, thanks for the refresher 2meke :)/> . Do you have a link for the jade supplier, i am interested. @ all SABers, This is my 2000 post. I had planned on an awesome seed/plant give away, but i don't have everything sorted as yet. But soon...Very soon ! Edit: as for my 2000 post give away.... things didn't go as planned and the highlight of the give away never turned up in my letterbox, so I couldn't share. I have other things coming along but am just waiting for cuttings to strike and flowers to seed. Ho hum.

For everyone, this is a cute little video from the Cactus and Succulent Society of SA: http://www.csssa.org.au/node/12 Worth a look. I am absolutely sure of where the main garden in this video is located, the general area that is, looks really nice. I have been in this location a fair bit for various reasons but never saw this garden. And I am happy to see I am not the only one growing cacti in heavy grass! Also more specifically for Radeladians: http://www.csssa.org.au/springshow I am likely to be there on Saturday morning so if anyone wants to meet up there, let me know. In the past they have had a nice selection of small onamentals if you're into those fussy little things! Cheers, Micro

I can't believe someone would consider shooting this stuff (whatever the hell it is). Reading all these articles, the irony of the whole situation seems to be lost on government officials. On one hand they're trying to regulate and decide what is legal and illegal based on safety (supposedly).. But look at the shit storm they've caused. As a result of prohibition of drugs that at least have more research data, all these new 'synthetics' that aim to emulate the well known illegal drugs have cropped up and they seem to be worse than the illegal drug. It seems to me that with prohibition, they've achieved precisely the opposite of what they were hoping.

We, the undersigned organisations, understand that AusAID has been exploring options to expand partnerships between CSOs, mining companies and governments through the Australian Mining for Development Initiative (AMDI). While we support the provision of Australian Aid to Africa, and the provision of aid to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), it is our view that funding for CSOs should be entirely separate from any private sector projects, particularly involving mining companies. Rather we encourage support for communities to understand their rights, particularly on improving their capacity to decide whether or not they want large-scale developments and support education around the Right of Free, Prior and Informed Consent. We hereby call on the Australian Government to no longer promote mineral extraction as a means of community development, and refrain from allocating Aid funding in support of promoting extractive industries in Africa and other parts of the world. We write this in response to recent policy releases of the Australian government and AusAID in particular that promote mining as a means of development overseas, and through the implementation of the AMDI and other mining-related initiatives in the Australian aid program. Mining projects have long been associated with multiple negative development outcomes that are so well documented, the endowment of abundant natural resources is referred to commonly as a ‘resource curse’. Key attributes of the resource curse include forced displacement, human rights abuses and environmental damage, and a particular impact on Indigenous communities and a multitude of their rights including rights to life, livelihoods and self-determination. Recent reports have supported this position including in 2011 by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, that outlined how mineral extraction degrades water sources and land quality, irreversibly disrupts natural ecosystems, jeopardises the survival of distinct community cultures and traditional livelihoods, exposes communities to infectious diseases, and leads to an overall deterioration in the health of nearby communities. In 2008 a report by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights and Business included documentation on the existence of rife corporate-related human rights abuses in the extractive sector and negative impacts flowing from extractive activities on a range of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Hence, we believe that AusAID’s total and uncritical support for the expansion of mining as a means of development is incompatible with development approaches that improve the environment, human rights and standards of living for affected communities. Furthermore, we are concerned that aid money that would be used for programs containing a demonstrable positive effect on alleviating poverty and realising fundamental human rights is being diverted towards promotion of mining and mining-related initiatives, including the AMDI. Whilst the AMDI claims to address the resource curse by promoting ‘sustainability’, we believe that some of the current projects being funded under the AMDI not only have limited ‘sustainable’ credentials they also actively promote the activities of Australian mining companies overseas, such as through a pilot project being run through the Direct Aid Program (DAP). We have recently become aware of this project that subsidises the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Australian mining companies that are members of the Australia Africa Mining Industry Group (AAMIG). There are a number of concerns that we, the undersigned, have about this program. Firstly we do not believe it is appropriate for Australian taxpayers money, through the aid budget, to subsidise the corporate and social responsibility initiatives of Australian mining companies operating in Africa and other countries. These companies should not use Australian aid agency support to displace their social responsibilities on to civil society, and Australian Government funding should not be used to create a competitive edge through the subsidisation of corporate social responsibility activities of Australian miners. Secondly, we are concerned that companies are using the reputation of AusAID to improve their corporate reputations and enhance their credibility, even though in some cases the companies involved have disreputable histories. For example, Paladin Energy Ltd has received funds through the DAP but have been implicated in serious labour and environmental abuses in Africa and are currently the subject of allegations of corruption in Malawi. Finally, we question the credibility of AAMIG as a body that says it intends to facilitate CSR initiatives in member organisations and strengthen their ‘social license to operate’, and AusAID’s relationship with them. The current Chair of AAMIG is the former CEO of Anvil Mining, Bill Turner. Under his tenure, Anvil Mining were complicit in grave human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the killing of over 100 people, illegal detentions, lootings and torture, and Anvil have continued to fight against civil society organisations that are still trying to bring them to justice. We have absolutely no confidence that this organisation is capable of producing positive corporate and social outcomes for communities that are in and surround the vicinity of Australian-owned mine sites in Africa. We, the undersigned organisations, ask the Australian Government to stop using aid funds to support the CSR initiatives of Australian mining companies. We reiterate our position that it is not the place of the Australian aid industry to subsidise the corporate and social responsibility initiatives of wealthy Australian mining companies who have a legal, if not moral, obligation to act in a responsible manner. We further request that the Australian Government refrain from using aid funds for these programs in the future, and concentrate on direct support for local civil society organisations, and their constituent communities. We urge the Australian Government to: Cease allocating aid funding to support the mineral extraction operations of private and for-profit mining and mining services companies, particularly those with interests in Africa and other developing countries. Refocus aid spending in Africa to support the realisation of the human rights of communities as well as strong, transparent, informed community decision-making processes and grievance mechanisms. Develop a transparent reporting system for Australian mining companies operating in Africa. Review their partnership with AAMIG, in light of a commitment to ensure Australian aid funding does not support the operations of Australian mining companies. Refrain from using the aid program as a vehicle to expand the interests of the Australian mining industry overseas, including through the financial support of academic institutions that promote the expansion of the mining industry into developing countries. Signed AID/WATCH Mineral Policy Institute ESCR-Net Corporate Accountability Working Group (CAWG)3 MiningWatch Canada ActNow! PNG Deep Sea Mining Campaign (an affiliate of Friends of the Earth Australia) Proyecto de Derechos Económicos, Sociales y Culturales, A.C. (ProDESC) The Jus Semper Global Alliance Urgewald http://www.aidwatch.org.au/news/aidwatch-open-letter-to-bob-carr-australian-aid-must-not-support-the-expansion-of-australian-mi

Grafting does have its advantages..... These 2 pics are exactly 20 months apart.

those prizes are reserved for niggles >.<

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrjoIdbz1p4

Been doing a bit of reading & I think S. hamatus must be it, those hooks/nobs seem to be the best give away of ID, Thanks for the help . I will keep an eye on it & try my best to snap some pics of it flowering to post here. @GoOnThen, I'm pretty sure it all the one/same plant, there must be a couple of hundred kgs of it up there. I am going to have a chat to the owner in the next couple of days to see if I can get you & me some cuttings , I will let you know how I go. I read today that they think Selenicereus hamatus originates from Mexico, but has never been positively identified in the wild .

Once, just once, could one of these news articles fucking please clarify which substance(s) they're actually talking about? If they even know, that is... From that article, I only know that they're discussing a "synthetic drug" with a disclaimer "similar to that provided with bath salts". Doesn't really narrow it down. Given that the "synthetics" released in the last few years include cannabinoids, substituted PCP/ketamine analogues, substituted cathinones, phenethylamines, and other random weird groups like the NBOMe's, it would really help if they were a little more specific in these articles. They didn't even mention a brand or "street" name, ffs.

is it not working because it needs bleeding? might be as easy a fix as some more fluid and a good bleed

Hmmm FRUSTRATING! Maybe try putting your foot on the back tire to brake. Got me by as a kid.

a SAB doof dion, i like it

Came across this great set of links regarding the effect of CO2 and climate change on plant photosynthesis and crop production Enjoy * Carbon Dioxide Enrichment Inhibits Nitrate Assimilation in Wheat and Arabidopsis. Bloom et al (2010). * Sharply increased insect herbivory during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum. (Currano 2007) * Insects Will Feast, Plants Will Suffer: Ancient Leaves Show Affect Of Global Warming. * Grassland Responses to Global Environmental Changes Suppressed by Elevated CO2. (Shaw 2007) * Photosynthetic inhibition after long-term exposure to elevated levels of carbon dioxide. (DeLucia 1985) * Insects Take A Bigger Bite Out Of Plants In A Higher Carbon Dioxide World. * * Food for Thought: Lower-Than-Expected Crop Yield Stimulation with Rising CO2 Concentrations * Widespread crown condition decline, food web disruption, and amplified tree mortality with increased climate change-type drought * Temperature dependence of growth, development, and photosynthesis in maize under elevated CO2 (PDF) * Global scale climate–crop yield relationships and the impacts of recent warming * Europe-wide reduction in primary productivity caused by the heat and drought in 2003 * Nitrate assimilation in plant shoots depends on photorespiration * Grassland Responses to Global Environmental Changes Suppressed by Elevated CO2 * Climate change, interannual weather differences and conflicting responses among crop characteristics: the case of forage quality (Seligman & Sinclair, 1995) * Climate change, plant diseases and food security: an overview – Chakraborty & Newton (2011) * Historical Warnings of Future Food Insecurity with Unprecedented Seasonal Heat – Battisti & Naylor (2009) * “Shredded Heat” – Crop Failure and Climate Change * Increased crop failure due to climate change: assessing adaptation options using models and socio-economic data for wheat in China - Challinor et al (2010) * Russia's Heat Wave Wilts Crops * Russia swelters in heatwave, many crops destroyed

Oddly enough, the deniers are claiming that this is natural, that satellite records only go back X years and that the ice is already starting to build up again, forgetting that summer is now over. They are fringe lunatics with a very loud voice, supported by corrupt governments and businesses obsessed with profit at all costs and the paradigm of ever-increasing growth in a finite world. I was unfortunate enough to go for a gardening job where the boss is one of those top economist types, spent all morning with him while he whinged about greenies and how climate change didn't make sense because it wasn't economically sensible (or something along those lines, it was all gobblydook to me). Luckily I didn't get the job, for his sake as well as mine, but man it woke me up to the realisation that many top business men are actually not that smart, they can just move money around.

global cooling??? How about only 4 years left of summer sea ice. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/sep/17/arctic-collapse-sea-ice?newsfeed=true Now I know all you die hard skeptics will be scrambling to find something, ANYTHING to deny this is happening, but seriously, why would you. I say grow some balls and face up to reality, just like everybody else has had to do at some stage. Peace

do you know something we don't? did RICHARD A. MULLER not write the op.ed. piece in the NY Times? http://www.nytimes.c...&pagewanted=all was that written by someone else? you'll have to explain how posting what appears to be a factual story about a sceptic changing his mind requires a retraction or constitutes being "sucked in", otherwise i have no clue what you're on about, except to think you're just being a troll.

not exactly sure what your weather reports are supposed to indicate slybacon? you could post stories of the record heat and droughts in US/UK as well.

Longer, more regular droughts, and harsher record cold-snaps in winter, that's climate change alright. Exactly as science has predicted.

There one hell of a lot of evidence out there that suggests that increased CO2 has a big impact on the toxic substances in the leaves, creating increases in levels of cyanogens, which doesn't bode well for Koala's which are already being impacted by loss of habitat, and is likely to have a strong impact on the feeding habits of insects.

Seems like we are producing some of our finest collective science ever. Yet people are still talked out of taking action. Edit: trimmed the politics

Well the experts do... Besides, it beats doing nothing which is basically what the opposition is proposing. Surely something is better than nothing, right?

I'm proud to put the planet before profits and we should always strive to achieve a better world. We only enjoy the wonders of the modern world thanks to people who made sacrifices in the past. Shouldn't we do our little bit too? It's not like the sky is going to fall in thanks to a tax on pollution.