Stillman

no action here on my monster seeds, however my daughter's seed is doing very well lol

No action here from the comp seeds that can be visibly noticed. My daughter put down one and it has burst through the soil was a very big seed no pedigree, I got from a QLD seed supplier. Hopefully in the next couple days my comp seeds will go bang.

don't be afraid to keep them a bit wetter too, especially if they are in a non sealed container.

you got plenty of time don't stress.

heres a thread I added to over almost a year kind of how I learnt how to graft with peres and stuff. http://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=31705&hl=%2Bmessing+%2Baround+%2Bwith+%2Bgrafts

No action here with the comp seeds but the weather has been sweet so I reckon by the weekend I might see something.

Heres a shot another shot

I'd say its natural but maybe the slug damage and the fertiliser hit made it do it quicker. I have a few that have been attacked and also given fertiliser so will be interesting to see if any others pup hard.

trapping energy?

Jox if you cross two recessive 4 rib f1 offspring then your 4 rib ratio should be much better. subsequent crosses of 4 ribs of f2 and then f3 will be even better.. that or produce some sort of lethal gene like albinism or mutation which is what we all want anyway lol.

Example of recessive genetics in a f2 progeny of (ss02 xss01)x (ss02 xss01) got from Zelly, these are possibly my favourite seeds at the moment.

Sally D the progeny from the initial cross is then recrossed producing a f2 progeny ie fist cross f1, f2, f3 etc at some point it should stabalise and some form cultivar that breeds fairly true should be produced. Obviously to get to that point you are gonna produce alot of plants and not all are going to be equal. Certain traits will be focused on in particular line crosses to help stabilise any trait which is desired this is called selective breeding. This is a slow and tedious process, hence why there is so much interest in genomics and genetic modification of plants. Using GM removes the variable, specific genes and alleles can be "impregnated" for want of a better word without the other 12500 base pairs threatening to fuck up traits we already have and want.. Jox look up mendalian 3:1 ratio example Your cross in the same species both ways is interesting, at a f1 cross you are seeing a strong dominance ratio which is kind of expected, as you do not see alot of 4 ribs out there in comparison to 5s. Your 4 rib is recessive your 5 is dominant. Five ribs is being produced alot more due to dominance now what you need to do is cross the progeny and see what you sort of real ratio you get I would think it will be 3:1 either way.

All depends on genetics and how varied the genetics of cross is. Certain traits will be dominant certain traits will be recessive there may be co-dominant traits which is cool. Generally we can assume the progeny will be more like the mother plant in the first cross. If an F2 cross is made god knows, thats when it gets interesting.

they will all sprout eventually. you can plant it in a pot and make cuttings from the vine called "slips" this way you won't end up with nasties in your soil.

Soaking the seed.. "little" one is a Surma 518kg Oz seed the biggen is a 1789 x 1640 US. Will soak all day plant out tomorrow. And gratuitous Pumpkin dirt shot

Soaking a 1789 x 1640 pound US seed and a Aussie 518 kg Surma. Fingers crossed, and good luck to everyone.

sounds good we all on Eastern standards time except our NZ friends.

so we soak seeds at Dawn?

you should always propagate from vine only, this ensures you do not pass on shit things like sweet potato weevil etc.

caputs are looking good dude awesome work.

I have done a quick update on the research page. Its starting to warm up here so things should start growing nicely soon. https://sites.google.com/site/ipomoeacostatas/

(SS02 x SS01) x (SS02 x SS01) variegated monstrose

I have some 18 month old T bridgesii (Psycho0) op seedlings that are showing some interesting traits. Recieved the seed from PD about 2 years ago. I believe the cross is Psycho0 x T spachianus. I'd say 95 % of the seedlings look like standard T bridgesii but a couple are quite different. I also got an albino out of this cross but the photos are in another thread. and heres a pic of PDs T bridgesii x T spachianus http://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?app=galleryℑ=3639

"does that mean that a certain variety has very strict parameters on size, spines, chemical, etc., that can only be altered by crossing? I didn't think this was the case." ^ this is what allows us to define a species.

when out crossing you allow for "better" genes but also the possibility of weaker genes. There is always a potential risk of producing unwanted traits in progeny. Trichocereus are a bit of a grey example as they are prolific hybridisers naturally. I think if your interested in this maybe google some basic plant breeding genetic pages. Have a look at a guy called Gregor Mendel and his 3:1 ratio he had alot of good ideas which are simple and mostly relevant.