hookahhead
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Posts posted by hookahhead
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It's amazing how quick they grow. Unfortunately, I didn't track down another milk crate in time, so I will be sticking with my original plan.I have to mix up more soil, I've nearly filled the crate already!-
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My first post in the mycology section! I have been cultivating/hunting fungi for over 10 years. I haven't had a cultivation project in a 2-3 years, but I still like to hunt every season. Luckily, my area is a great for fungi; we have old woods and a nice climate. I have found Reishi (G. lucidum), Morels (Morchella sp.), Shaggy mane (C. comatus), Horse mushroom (A. arvensis), Aspen oyster (P. poplins), Puffballs (Lycoperdon sp.), Yellow-gilled Gym (G. luteofolius) and last but not least Ovoids (P. ovoideocystidiata)!
I started finding ovoids in 2005. They typically fruit the end of April to the end of june, and sometimes again in the fall. In the spring they typically are prolific producers, popping up after every rain, but in the fall I am lucky to find a few here and there.
So far this year my season hasn't been the best. The weather here just hasn't been right, even the morels were late. Yesterday and today I started finding a few, and I am hoping they are just running a little behind schedule.
These are a bit dried out, probably have been up 3-4 days.-
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Put that other pot to some good use, a new home for my TPQC x TPM seedlings.This flower opened again tonight, so I snapped a few quick pics-
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I was out of town the past couple of days. I had a great weekend, but confess that I was a bit concerned the flowers would open in my absense. While I would hate to miss the beautiful show, it was the fresh pollen that I didn't want to lose. So naturally, when I finally made it home, the first thing I did was check on my plants.
This flower was just opening. I have noticed they are fairly photosensitive (some more than others) and have had a few try to close while I was taking pictures. I had to be quick, because that's exactly what was happening to this one.
or cv "Truffula Tree" ?
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I am starting this thread to make others aware of how they can support this wonderful community. I've recently messaged Evil Genius and Torsten about my desire to donate to SAB. Torsten had this to say...
"I really love the idea members want to contribute to SAB, but as we do not have tax-free status it means about half of your donation goes to the government in tax.
On the other hand, I donate a lot of money to registered charities like erowid.org, prism.org.au and entheo.net
So if you donate money to me the community only benefits half as much as if you donate to one of these organisations. And if you let me know what you've donated and where, i can then donate more elsewhere to spread the support around.
If you don't like any of these organisations there is also the ethnobotany group at kiva microloans, or a local kids charity The Smith Family that I regularly donate too and encourage others to do so too."I would like to encourage others who have the means/desire to make a donation in the name of "SAB Community". If you make a donation, please post about it here so that we can get funds to the appropriate organizations. However, please do not post the donation amount, this is not a competition! If your favorite organization isn't listed, feel free to suggest it.
- http://erowid.org - We are a small nonprofit that runs the #1 drug information website in the world. We have only 4 staff but serve 12 million users, and have costs like any other big website: servers, power, office space, programs, and staff. To protect our independence, we don't run ads or take government funds. If Erowid is useful to you, take a minute to keep it online and ad-free another year.
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http://prism.org.au - PRISM is a non-profit organization that relies on community support to fund our research. Become a PRISM subscriber and help us establish psychedelic compounds as legally available medicines. All donations to PRISM Inc (ABN 96 575 647 082) over $2 AUD are tax-deductible in Australia.
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http://www.entheo.net/ - For close to a decade the EGA conference has provided a major meeting place for ethnobotanical enthusiasts and specialists in Australia to share information and celebrate community. The EGA conference consists of lectures, workshops, discussion panels, cinema, performance, music and art. The event hosts an array of speakers from across Australia and abroad, and aims to address the issues relating to drug use from social, cultural and traditional perspectives. The EGA conference program draws on therapy, biology, pharmacology, psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, botany, visionary art, culture, politics, law and more, to provide a realistic context of the role drugs and altered states play in the modern world.
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http://www.treesforlife.org - Most gifts go to just one person. But give someone a Trees for Life Gift from the Heart, and you make the whole world a better place. Your friend or loved one will receive an acknowledgment of your gift. Gifts from the Heart are perfect for holidays, birthdays, weddings, baby announcements, anniversaries, memorials, and other occasions. These are gifts of empowerment and hope.
http://www.kiva.org/team/ethnobotanists - We are a loosely affiliated group of people who come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Our common passion is the recognition that humans, as a species, have evolved alongside plants to get where we are today, and that we could not have done so without them (whether it be for food, medicine, spiritual or cultural development, shelter, or even just aesthetics). We cherish the ongoing roles these plants play in our lives, and defend our right to continue and nurture this relationship. Lenders from this team make loans with the goal of improving the lives of people less fortunate than themselves. A significant portion of the funds raised for these loans come from selling, trading, and sharing plants, with the vision of further extending the growth these plants have brought to human existence.
- http://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/ - Help break the cycle of disadvantage. More than 638,000 Australian children are living in jobless families today1. These young Australians need your support to participate fully in their education and break the cycle of disadvantage. You don’t have to live in one of the 96 communities we work in to show you care. From volunteering in one of our retail stores to holding your own fundraising event or running the famous City2Surf to raise money for us, there are lots of ways to get involved. Join the thousands of caring Australians who are passionate about helping disadvantaged children create a better future for themselves through education.
Today, I donated to both Erowid and Trees for life.
One last thing...
EG has sexy buttocks.
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Have you come across any that have rocks hot glued to the surface of the pot?
We should all kall and file krazy reports about how teenagers konsumed their "kosmic kaktus"
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Yeah, I've rescued/been gifted a few from these places. Mine all had straw flowers
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curious that feel you have nothing to offer .....botany major & all......you should be taking notes from hookahead instead of me
Honestly, I'm not sure if this is a compliment or a jab, but I'll assume it's a compliment. Thanks. To be clear, I am an ecologist, I study whole systems, including abiotic factors. Though I do tend to be focused on plants. I simply think plants are amazing; they provide food, shelter, medicine, fuel, and of course some rather interesting side effects. I will be traveling to Costa Rica & Panama in a few weeks to participate in international research; I even get to watch baby sea turtle hatch! This is in addition to my research on plant reproductive trade-offs I have done the past 3 years.
I had hoped that deadhor's intelligent and honest response would change your mind about him a bit. I understand his frustration, however slinging insults at each other never helps the situation. You may remember when I really started posting here a lot, I received much of the same attitude from you. I too had been a lurker for a long time before I felt like I had something to contribute. Admittedly, my situation is a bit different because I didn't choose the best way to portray myself. I believe I have done a good job at changing this. Though, it's a bit sad to know that my "crazy" thread that was moved to bitches & gripes received more attention than when I reposted my trichocereus taxonomy paper in a more appropriate manner.
I have a lot of respect for you zelly, you have a beautiful collection and been around a good many years. Would you care to share with us why you got into cacti, specifically trichocereus? Many of us were drawn to this species because of their inner beauty, but their true magic is how they make us fall in love with their outer beauty. I certainly fall into this category. Despite my original intent, after 3 years of growing them, not a single cactus has been "harmed". The fact that they have medicinal properties is just another interesting fact at this point.... Bait & Switch.
You shouldn't be upset that people are attracted to them for this purpose. It has produced an enormous amount of information, and is the largest contributing factor to their cultivation/distribution world-wide. I'm sure it helps your seed business
I don't see why you've singled out deadhor. After all, I don't see you bashing Trout and his interests are CLEAR. His publications are some of the first many people encounter when researching the topic. Although I have only been into cacti for 3 years, I have been gardening for 25. My father got me into plants, and took me for nature hikes through our beautiful forests. It wasn't until much later that I started researching ethnobotanicals. However, it's not the only reason I am attracted to plant, nor the only plants I grow.
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I just also believe there is far too much anecdotal information being spread around throughout the whole horticultural sector.
Hey hookah,
I understand there is a very intricate system out there, but really sally I think has hit the nail on the head with her post!!
and sally, that is so true, According to Handreck & Black (my bible lol) no more than 30% organic matter in general otherwise it will be of now use to the plant.
"I'd just like to see the organic movement use a bit more science instead of dogma."
The effects of four rates of N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha) and three rates of P (0, 13 and 26 kg/ha) on chemical characteristics of soils and earthworm casts for no-tillage and conventionally disc plowed systems were investigated for a tropical Alfisol. Worm casts contained 2.3 to 1.5 times more organic matter, 1.8 to 1.2 times more nitrogen, 1.6 to 1.3 times more Bray-P, 3.2 to 2.1 times more exchangeable Ca2+, 3.8 to 2.5 times more exchangeable Mg2+, 3.1 to 2.2 times more exchangeable K+, and 1.4 to 1.2 times more exchangeable Na+than the top 10 cm of the soil. The ECEC of worm casts was 3.1 to 2.1 times higher than in the surface soil. The nutrient status of both casts and soil in no-tillage plots was generally superior to that in conventionally plowed treatments. Different rates of N and P application had a significant positive effect on the nutrient status of worm casts. The results are discussed in terms of the role of earthworms in soil productivity.
MOBILIZATION OF NUTRIENTS IN TROPICAL SOILS THROUGH WORM CASTING- AVAILABILITY OF MICRONUTRIENTS.pdf
The casting activity of earthworm had a significant influence on the DTPA-extractable micronutrients (Figs 1 and 2). The DTPA-Zn in earthworm-ingested soils increased from 360 mg kg1 to 543 mg kg1 in the red soil and from 440 mg kg1 to 60 mg kg in the black soil after 28 d of incubation (Fig. 1). Whereas the parent soils showed little variation during the same period. The DTPA-Cu also exhibited similar changes. Both DTPA-Fe and Mn levels in the soil increased up to day 7 and then declined after further incubation (Fig. 2). But at any given time the DTPA-Fe and Mn content in the earthworm-ingested soils was more than in the parent soils. It is not clear how the DTPA-micronutrients concentrations were maintained high in ingested soil. But since the growth of bacteria and actinomycetes is strongly favored in freshly deposited earthworm casts (Ponomereva, 1953; Kozlovskaya and Zadannikova, 1966) and the in- itial phase of microbial succession in casts is ac- companied by an intense mineralization of organic compounds (Nowak, 1975; Wolters and Joergensen, 1992) it is likely that physical, chemical and micro- biological changes occurring in the soils during the transit gut process might be responsible for the increased content of DTPA- extractable micronutri- ents in the ingested soils.
MICROBIAL BIOMASS AS AN INDEX FOR TILLAGE-INDUCED CHANGES IN SOIL BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES.pdf
Indirect measurements of soil microbial biomass carbon © and nitrogen (N), using the chloroform fumigation-incubation method (CFIM), were utilized as indices of the soil biological condition on a range of tillage systems under different climatic and agron- omic conditions.
Biological properties within the soil profile were influenced by the degree of soil mixing, incorporation of crop residues, soil moisture regime and root growth. A wheat-- fallow system reduced microbial biomass C and N in the 0--15-cm soil depth by 60%, compared to a continuous wheat system. Reduction in soil tillage caused a redistribution of biological properties within the soil. For spring cereals under semi-arid -- sub-humid moisture regimes, after 4 years, zero tillage increased microbial biomass C and N in the 0--5-cm soil depth by 10--23%, compared with shallow tillage; this increase was gradually offset over time by a decline in microbial biomass at lower soil depths. In a per-humid region, a similar redistribution of soil microbial biomass was evident after 2 years. After 3 years, direct drilling of Italian ryegrass increased microbial biomass C and N in the 0--5-cm soil depth by 26--28%, compared to a cultivated system. The level of microbial biomass under the direct-drilled system was similar to that found under an associated permanent pasture.
The CFIM provided a sensitive measure of tillage-induced changes in soil biological properties. Both microbial biomass C and N responded rapidly to changes in tillage and soil management. In general, the CFIM detected changes in soil biological properties prior to any measurable change in soil organic C or N.
I used to try to tell these type of people about the benefits, usually to the point of frustration. Now, I just smile and move along. You see, it doesn't matter what you say, because they can't listen or look into it for themselves. You certainly can't force them to feel. Usually when your still alive, but can't see, hear, or feel anything, it's because your unconscious. Trust me,
Keep in mind, I still have a lot of listening, looking, learning, caring, sharing, sowing, growing, loving and living to do yet.
MOBILIZATION OF NUTRIENTS IN TROPICAL SOILS THROUGH WORM CASTING- AVAILABILITY OF MICRONUTRIENTS.pdf
MICROBIAL BIOMASS AS AN INDEX FOR TILLAGE-INDUCED CHANGES IN SOIL BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES.pdf
MOBILIZATION OF NUTRIENTS IN TROPICAL SOILS THROUGH WORM CASTING- AVAILABILITY OF MICRONUTRIENTS.pdf
MICROBIAL BIOMASS AS AN INDEX FOR TILLAGE-INDUCED CHANGES IN SOIL BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES.pdf
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Wow, excellent replies everyone! Sally brings up a lot of good points.
I am not a die hard organic either, I only grow and do what I can to organic. I don't buy organic as often as I'd like, and I don't eat at organic restaurants. Plastic is unavoidable, but because it's free and readily available a lot of the time, I often use it in my garden. If you look at some of my other posts, you'll see I live rather cheaply. However, I don't see myself as dirt poor, I;m dirt rich! I have a giant bin of worms, that are fed high quality food, and produce fresh castings. Store bought castings suck. The worms are all fed peat, and the castings are dried out to much.
Franky, I would like to offer you a different perspective. That human inovation has destroyed MILLIONS of years of evolution. I'm not even referring to GMO, I'm talking extinction. The billions of people that are supported by this system are destroying the planet at an ever accelerating pace.
I This is a section from my final assignment in an agricultural ethics class. It's easier than retyping how I feel.The genus Homo has been on Earth for over 2 million years, and recent fossil evidence suggests Homo sapiens are 195,000 years old (National Geographic, 2014)! However, the problem of a burgeoning human population is a relatively recent development. Before the appearance of agriculture, the total world population probably never exceeded fifteen million. Today, we believe that the first instances of agriculture developed as independent incidences in several areas of the world. Somewhere between 10,500 – 10,000 years ago, our ancestors began domesticating several plant and animal species. This ability offered a significant advantage; people were no longer dependent on hunting and gathering food from the wild. However, there is one obvious disadvantage, it requires a long period of time before you are able to harvest. Thus, as the idea of agriculture spread, people began to abandon their nomadic lifestyles and settle into small communities.
In these first villages, agriculture brought about other significant changes. One major difference is that carrying all of your belongings was no longer an issue. Now, we were free to acquire an almost unlimited amount of materials, tools, and cookware etc. Additionally, since large portion of farming is simply waiting for things to grow, there was more time for leisure activities. The newly found abundance of food, time, and space were an effective catalyst for the rapid development of art, culture, science and technology (Filion, 2009). Consequently, as people began hoarding these items, we also acquired the aspects of wealth and greed. This led to the idea that people were no longer equal. For whatever reason, it was deemed that you deserved either a larger portion then was necessary, or you received less than your fair share. Very rarely are people content taking only what they need. Therefore, I suggest the root of all the ethical dilemmas we face today, is due to the unbalanced perception of wealth.
Ironically, the freedom that was gained through agricultural development is also what enslaves us today. When we stepped away from the balanced system of nature, we broke our deep connection to the Earth. Although our planet is priceless, we only recognize the value of its extractable resources. However, if we held ourselves accountable for the damage to the planet due to agriculture, the deficit would be immeasurable. It’s no secret “that money makes the world go round.” However, it is much harder to figure out why this is the case. After all, money doesn’t provide any of the most basic necessities; it has no nutritional value, it won’t rehydrate you, it doesn’t protect against the elements, and it certainly won’t cure any diseases. In fact, it has no useful function at all, unless you can convince others to share the same distorted valuation as you. This is exactly what an ethic is, the illusionary value you place on something. Additionally, because two people often differ in what they consider valuable, conflicts arise over the discrepancies. Therefore, I realize that in order to make ethical decision, we must reevaluate what is a truly at stake.
Although the domestication of plants and animals has eased the burden of acquiring food, farming has always been backbreaking labor. Even today, we encounter many of the same problems as our ancestor. Agricultural systems require a large amount of open area, and there is a continuous demand for suitable crop and pastureland. Therefore, deforestation due to agriculture has also been a persistent problem. The rate at which this is currently occurring is quite alarming. A recent study found that “Globally, around 13 million hectares of forests were converted to other uses or lost through natural causes each year between 2000 and 2010 as compared to around 16 million hectares per year during the 1990s” (Global Forest Resources Assessment, 2014). It’s a bit disheartening that nearly 7.1 billion people inhabiting this planet are either unconscious or apathetic to the fact we are losing upwards of 80,000 acres of tropical rainforest daily. Why are 7 billion people not concerned that one half of the forests that originally covered the Earth are gone? Besides agriculture, a large number of trees are used to produce paper products. However, if we planted hemp instead, we could produce the same amount of paper with 1 acre as we do with 4. It’s also renewable, and has numerous other benefits.
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Last week I mixed up a big tub of soil, with the intent of potting up some cacti. However, I still lacked one key ingredient... pots!
Tonight I was hellbent on playing in some dirt. So I looked around a bit, hoping that I find a pot or suitable container. No luck
Aha! I know what I can do... Let's recycle! Luckily for me, the trash/recycling hauler doesn't come until Monday.
So I grabbed 2 milk jugs out of the bin... did a bit more thinking
Of course, we need some drainage. Instead of just poking some holes in the bottom, I decided to cut some slits instead.After spending over a year trapped in a 6" pot, it took a little finessing to liberate this guy. I almost swear I heard it let out a little sigh of relief.
Happy with the results, I went ahead with the other one. A 6" pot hold about a qt, a gallon jug holds about a gallon
Now that's a nice set of jugs if you ask me! While those two certainly needed repotted, it was actually their old containers I was after
Psycho0 x TPMTPM x (SS02 x T. Pachanoi)The top part of the milk jug was used for labels. This is how I get all of my labels.I'm sure they're all happy to have a little more leg room!With all the money I've saved by switching to Geico, I can buy more pot.
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@ andyamine- both the cuts I'll be playing with are pretty dehydrated atm first spray was two days ago. I'm pretty sure it's already starting to fatten back up. My only thing is if it's getting moisture back into it then it may actually slow down the need to throw roots
Although a plant requires water for photosynthesis, roots do more than suck up moisture. The plant relies on the uptake-transpiration process to move nutrients and wastes around. Even a fully hydrated plant needs roots, so I wouldn't worry about this too much.
Been foliar feeding my Trichocereus for a few weeks now and WoW the glaucusness has gotten intense. I'm still continuinga regular feeding program just spray once a week between midnight and 2 a.m. With a 1/4th strength 20-20-20 water soluble fertilizer.
I'm thinking of experimenting with a couple unrooted cuts as well. Two cuts from the same clone unrooted. Think I'll spray one once a week and leave the other alone and see if it'll lessen rooting time or not.
Although many cactophile find the glaucous look attractive, it doesn't necessarily convey a happy/healthy plant.
If you consider that it's due to a buildup of wax that protects the plant from UV damage and desiccation, it seems a bit counterintuitive that foliar feeding would increase this effect. Admittedly, this is purely speculation, but I think more glacous plant, would benefit less from foliar feeding.
I would be interested to see the side by side myself, and encourage you to test it!
SURFICIAL INJURIES OF SEVERAL CACTI OF SOUTH AMERICA.pdf
Analyses of several species of long-lived columnar cacti in Argentina and Chile show that an accumulation of epicuticular waxes is occurring on many species and that these accumulations obscure stomata. This accumulation leads to visible surficial maladies such as scaling and barking on crests and troughs of ribs similar to those that occur on saguaros, [/size]Carnegiea gigantea (giant saguaro) of North America, which results in premature death of individual saguaros. Scaling is the appearance of tan to red-orange discoloration of surfaces. Barking refers to a larger buildup of materials on the surfaces than scaling that appears dark brown to black. Equatorial facing surfaces showed more injuries on stems of [/size]Trichocereus pasacana and [/size]T. terscheckii in Argentina, and [/size]Echinopsis chilensis and [/size]E. scotsbergii in Chile, than on polar surfaces. Crest barking was as much as five times greater on equatorial-facing sides compared with polar-facing sides. Spine retention was up to three times greater on equatorial- vs polar-facing sides. the two troughs of a crest were evaluated separately. Results show that injury to one trough of a crest facing the equator was as much as twice that of the second trough facing the south pole. These results show that surficial injuries were greater on equatorial than on polar surfaces, and are related to total incident irradiance on these surfaces.[/size]
Stem surface injuries of several species of columnar cacti of Ecuador.pdf
Previous research has shown that identical scale and bark injuries occur on stems of 16 species of columnar cacti in North and South America. For all 16 species, areas with scale and bark injuries on stems were greater on equatorial-facing surfaces than on polar-facing surfaces. Moreover, percentages of stem areas with injuries were well correlated with relative amounts of annual sunlight exposure. Cacti with high levels of scale and bark injuries had high levels of mortality. Previous data have shown that at the Equator, about 1.4 times more incident light occurs on west-facing and east-facing surfaces (equatorial surfaces) than on north-facing and south-facing (polar-facing) surfaces. Herein we determined the percentages of stem areas with scale and bark injuries on equatorial-facing (east and west) and polarfacing (north and south) surfaces of four species of columnar cacti in Ecuador (near the Equator). Specifically, percentages of trough areas with scale and bark injuries were determined for stems of Armatocereus cartwrightianus, Pilosocereus lanuginosus, and Praecereus euchlorus on mainland Ecuador and for Jasminocereus thousarii on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. For our analysis, data from all four cactus species were pooled. Chi-square tests showed that average injuries on equatorial surfaces were greater than average injuries on polar surfaces. For the pooled data, injuries on equatorial-facing surfaces were 1.4 times greater than on polar-facing surfaces. Therefore, the 1.4 times greater injuries on equatorial-facing surfaces compared with polar-facing surfaces was coincident with the 1.4 times greater incident light on equatorial surfaces than on polar surfaces for cacti at the Equator. Taken together with previous data, the data of this study show that at least 20 species of long-lived columnar cactus species in the Americas have almost identical scale and bark injuries even though they exist from 32° N to 32° S. Ratios of equatorial vs. polar injuries are well correlated with ratios of PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) for equatorial and polar surfaces. Moreover, the ratio of injuries on equatorial vs. polar surfaces were highly correlated with the latitudes of this study.
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Franky, I wasn't necessarily trying to lump you into the nay-sayer group, because you have mentioned a few times now that you understand the importance of sustainable organic gardening. I didn't make any mention about the sustainable part, but I completely agree with you.... just because something is organic, doesn't always mean it's environmentally friendly. Organic AND sustainable is my goal too.
I wasn't implying that anyone who does not side with organic are all "@%$^@ hippies" with their organic mumbo jumbo". I was referring to how my beliefs have been interpreted by others. Though this may simply be due to the fact that I haven't had a haircut in 4 years, have dreadlocks, and frequently wear tie-dye...While it's true, plants can't differentiate organic vs synthetic nutrients because they are identical molecules, you can't claim "there's no difference".
I encourage you to read the research for yourself, and make your own decision. However, I would like to point out that plant's are a little bit more complex than a N-P-K value leads most people to believe. The interactions between plant/micro/macro organism are so complex that even the brightest minds in the field readily admit they can't fully comprehend it.
here are some excerpts from another fantastic resource to prove my point. The original source is to big to upload here, so I put it on dropbox
Plant Microbe Symbiosis: Fundamentals and Advances (2013).pdfThe other major group in P cycle and interaction with plants is the mycorrhizal fungi. Symbiosis with these fungi is very important to improve plant fitness and soil quality by increasing the plant uptake of P and nitrogen (N) by absorbing phosphate, ammonium, and nitrate from soil and also assists plant host in uptake of the relatively immobile trace elements such as zinc, copper, and iron (Zaidi et al. 2010). Moreover, mycorrhizal symbiosis improves plant health, increases protection against biotic and abiotic stresses, and improves soil structure through aggregate formation (Goicoechea et al. 1997; Barea et al. 2005; Zaidi et al. 2010). Other important organisms are rhizoplane or endophytic bacteria that colonize rhizoplane because they can release minerals, such as P, potassium, magnesium, or zinc, from the rocks and can live in extreme habitats (Puente et al. 2004). Under these conditions and the importance of plant to world agriculture, studies and applications of PGPR that have biofertilizing capacity are relevant.
Iron is essential for the growth of most microorganisms and plants. Despite being an abundant element in soil, its extreme insolubility at normal biological pH severely decreases its bioavailability. Harmsen et al. (2005) define that bioavailable iron is a portion of total iron that can be easily assimilated by one organism. To increase the iron in plants and to enrich the amount of bioavailable iron is a challenge of agriculture. The major challenge for microorganisms and plants is to acquire Fe (III) suf- ficient for growth. Plants and microorganisms have developed mechanisms of iron uptake and in many cases work cooperatively in the rhizosphere. Lemanceau et al. (2009) summarize processes as:
1. Acidification of soil solution mediated based on the excretion of protons or organic acids
2. Chelation of Fe (III) by ligands including siderophores with very high affinity for Fe3+
3. Reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ by reductases and reducing compounds
The efficacy of these active iron uptake strategies differs among organisms, leading to complex competitive and synergistic interactions among microbes, plants, and between plants and microbes. The chemical properties of the soil in which they occur have a strong effect on these interactions. In return the iron uptake strategies impact the soil properties and the iron status. Thus, multiple interactions between soils, plants, and microorganisms are driving a complex iron cycle in the rhizosphere (Lemanceau et al. 2009).
A complete list of secondary metabolites of P. aurantiaca which has been published up until now and their chemical structures are provided (Fig. 14.2). Studies involv- ing the use of these strains as a biofertilizer and a biocontrol agent for different crops have also been included. More than 20 secondary metabolites have been included in this list. As the purpose of isolation and usage of these strains is different for every researcher, therefore the author could not find the production of all metabolites in all strains. It does not indicate that these strains are not capable to produce those secondary metabolites; rather these are not analyzed for this purpose. Most of the compounds included in this list are produced by an endophytic strain PB-St2, isolated by the author herself. Isolated PB-St2 has been thoroughly investigated for the production of secondary metabolites. Information about most of its secondary metabolites has been published separately (Mehnaz et al. 2009, 2013); some unpublished information have been included in this manuscript. Complete profile of PB-St2 secondary metabolites is not characterized yet. Name of the compound and the strains which are reported for its production are provided in the following text. Detailed information about these compounds, strains, and their biocontrol/biofertilizer activity can be found in the given references.
Hopefully this picture gives you some insight about how organic is very different from chemical. Admittedly, I can't say for certain.. but I would be willing to bet that the labratory synthesis of at least some of these compounds is unknown or impractical.
Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA)
Auxins are the group of phytohormones that are well known for plant growth promotion. Among auxins, indole-3-acetic acid is commonly produced by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). After nitrogen fixation, it is the second most important trait of PGPRs, responsible for direct growth promotion of inoculated plants. Several species of Pseudomonas are known for its production, and among them, most commonly known are P. putida and P. fluorescens. IAA production at different rate is known among most of the strains of P. aurantiaca (Andres et al. 2011; Mandryk et al. 2007; Mehnaz et al. 2010).
2,4-Diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG)
This antibiotic has wide antifungal, antibacterial, antihelminthic, nematicidal, and phytotoxic activity (Cronin et al. 1997; Raaijmakers et al. 2002). DAPG production by P. aurantiaca is reported in strain SR1 (Andres et al. 2011). The antibiotic was characterized by using thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and spectrometric techniques. Andres et al. (2011) reported the antifungal activity of this compound against phytopathogen Macrophomina phaseolina. Production of DAPG by SR1 in rhizosphere soil was also confirmed.
Alkylresorcinols (HPR and DAR) and Pyrrolnitrin
A systematic antifungal screening program of Syngenta natural products research group in Switzerland demonstrated that P. aurantiaca produces various antifungal compounds including 2-hexyl, 5-propyl alkylresorcinol (HPR). Nowak-Thompson et al. (2003) performed a detailed study on BL915, one of the P. aurantiaca strains, and reported the isolation of 2,5-dialkylresorcinol (DAR), an analogue of HPR. The authors characterized the biosynthetic pathway and gene cluster responsible for the production of this compound. BL915 was initially identified as P. fluorescens, and production of pyrrolnitrin by this strain was reported (Hill et al. 1994). Hill et al. (1994) characterized a gene involved in the synthesis of pyrrolnitrin and proved the strain as a strong biological control agent for Rhizoctonia solani (causes damping-off in cotton), due to pyrrolnitrin production as mutant strain could not inhibit the fungal growth.
C18H36NO and C20H31O3
P. aurantiaca S1 strain was isolated in Belarus, from municipal sludge containing cellulose and lignin. Mandryk et al. (2007) have isolated two compounds C18H36NO and C20H31O3 of mass 282.3 and 319.3, respectively, from this strain. These com- pounds were identified on the basis of QTOF-MS, and a proper name has not been assigned to them. C18H36NO is a cyclic aromatic N-containing substance and corresponds to the new variety of pyo compounds (Leisinger and Margrafft 1979), but C20H31O3 did not match with any reference compound in database. These compounds showed potential of being used as biological control agent against plant pathogens. Antibacterial activity against P. syringae pv. glycinea was shown by C18H36NO, and antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum was observed by C20H31O3. S1 strain also produced IAA and siderophores.
Phenazine-1-Carboxylic Acid and 2-Hydroxyphenazine (PCA and 2-OH-Phz)
These compounds have been reported from two strains of P. aurantiaca, PB-St2 and IB5-10. PB-St2 was isolated from a stem of a local variety of sugarcane grow- ing in Punjab, Pakistan (Mehnaz et al. 2009), and IB5-10 was isolated from a coastal sand dune in east coast of Korea. PCA and 2-OH-Phz are major secondary metabo- lites of PB-St2 (Fig. 14.3). PCA showed antifungal activity against Phytophthora capsici, R. solani, and Pythium ultimum, and 2-OH-Phz was active against R. solani (Park et al. 2012). Antifungal activity against Colletotrichum falcatum and antibac- terial activity against human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis have also been reported by PCA (Mehnaz et al. 2013).
2,8-Dihydroxyphenazine and 2-Hydroxyphenazine, 1-Carboxylic Acid (2,8-Di OH-Phz and 2-OH, 1-CA)
These compounds have been recently isolated from P. aurantiaca PB-St2 (Mehnaz et al. 2013). Calculated masses for 2,8-dihydroxyphenazine (C12H9N2O2) and 2-hydroxyphenazine, 1-carboxylic acid (C13H8N2O3) are 213.0664 and 240.0535, respectively. These are intermediate compounds, produced in the biosynthetic pathway of 2-OH-Phz and PCA (Chin-A-Woeng et al. 2003). 2,8-Di OH-Phz showed antibacterial activity against human pathogen Bacillus cereus and Arthrobacter crystallopoietes (Mehnaz et al. 2013). Production of these compounds is not reported from any other strain of P. aurantiaca.
380 S. Mehnaz
Lahorenoic Acids A, B, and C
These compounds are ortho-dialkyl-substituted aromatic acids. These have been isolated from P. aurantiaca strain PB-St2 (Mehnaz et al. 2013). Structure formulas of these compounds are based on NMR data, and masses were calculated by ESI-MS m/z [M + Na]+ and these are C17H22O3 (297.2), C16H20O3 (283.1), and C16H20O2 (267.1) for Lahorenoic acids A, B, and C, respectively. Details about these compounds are avail- able in Mehnaz et al. (2013). Antifungal activity of these compounds has not been checked yet. Searching database for structure formulas of these compounds ended up with some similarity with rubrenoic acid as a reference compound. As similarity with the reference compound was not 100 %, these compounds are named by the authors as Lahorenoic acid based on the name of the city of origin for strain PB-St2.
Viscosin/WLIP
Viscosin and WLIP (white-line-inducing principle) are CLP. CLPs produced by pseudomonads are composed of a fatty acid tail linked to a short oligopeptide, which is cyclized to form a lactone ring between two amino acids in the peptide chain. Viscosin is a cyclic lipodepsipeptide with structure formula C54H95N9O16. WLIP also has the same formula. Difference between the two compounds is that WLIP has d-leucine and viscosin has l-leucine. It is a major secondary metabolite of P. aurantiaca PB-St2 (Mehnaz et al. 2013). Production of viscosin has been reported by Pseudomonas libanensis, P. fluorescens, and other species of pseudo- monads (Saini et al. 2008), and production of WLIP is reported by Pseudomonas reactants and P. putida (Mortishire-Smith et al. 1991; Rokni-Zadeh et al. 2012), but P. aurantiaca is not known previously for the production of viscosin or WLIP. Currently the author is working on experiments to make a final conclusion about its structure whether it is viscosin or WLIP. The role of lipopeptides in antagonism against viruses, bacteria, fungi, mycoplasmas, and oomycetes has been described in detail by Raaijmakers et al. (2010). Specifically the “antifungal activity” has been studied for many different CLPs and for a wide variety of plant and human- pathogenic fungi and yeast.
Nonanal, N-Decanal, and 2-Ethyl, 1-Hexanol
Pseudomonads are capable of producing organic volatile compounds, and their antifungal activity has also been demonstrated (Fernando and Lindermann 1994). Nonanal, N-decanal, and 2-ethyl, 1-hexanol are volatile organic compounds, and they showed antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Production and antifungal activity of these compounds have been reported by P. aurantiaca
14 Secondary Metabolites of Pseudomonas aurantiaca... 381
strain DS200 (Fernando et al. 2005), an isolate from canola stubble. These compounds have been isolated from other species of pseudomonads as well, including P. fluorescens and P. chlororaphis (Fernando et al. 2005), but not from any other strain of P. aurantiaca.
HCN
It is a volatile antibiotic produced by several PGPRs. The compound inhibits the cytochrome oxidase of microorganisms. Cytochrome oxidase of HCN producers is resistant to cyanide and insensitive to HCN (Rudrappa and Baiss 2008). BL915, SR1, and PB-St2 strains of P. aurantiaca are reported as HCN producers (Gaffney et al. 1994; Mehnaz et al. 2009; Andres et al. 2011).
Siderophores
These are low molecular weight iron-binding molecules which have very high affinity for ferric ion. These molecules bind to the ferric ion, available in the rhi- zosphere, and make it unavailable to the pathogenic organism so these pathogens cannot proliferate. Some siderophore producers have a special mechanism to uptake the siderophore-iron complex. This complex binds to a specific receptor and then it is taken up by the producers themselves (O’Sullivan and O’Gara 1992). On the other hand, some plants have a special system to absorb the siderophore- iron complex and release it inside so plant can use this iron (Wang et al. 1993). In both ways, it helps to decrease the iron availability to phytopathogen and indirectly promotes the plant growth. Siderophore production is reported for S1, SR1, and PB-St2 strains of P. aurantiaca (Mandryk et al. 2007; Mehnaz et al. 2009; Andres et al. 2011). PB-St2 produces hydroxamate-type siderophores (Mehnaz et al. 2009). For other strains, the information about type or nature of siderophores is not available.
Pyoverdin
It is a yellow green, iron-chelating siderophore which fluoresce under UV, produced by fluorescent pseudomonads, under iron-deficient environment. Previously, it was known as fluorescein. The pyoverdin molecule has a quinoline chromophore, which is responsible for color, bound to a peptide chain and a dicarboxylic acid or a dicarboxylic amide. Production of this compound has been reported for several pseudomonads including P. chlororaphis and P. aurantiaca. PB-St2 produces the compound in enormous amount, and the gene involved in its biosynthesis has also been detected (unpublished results; communicated by S. Mehnaz). Isolation and characterization of pyoverdin in rest of the P. aurantiaca strains have not been reported or carried out. Involvement of pyoverdin (produced by P. aeruginosa 7NSK20) in suppression of damping-off of tomato plants, induced by Pythium sp., has been reported by Buysens et al. (1996).
Acyl Homoserine Lactones (AHL)
These are known as signal compounds which are responsible for the quorum- sensing (QS) mechanism. Many bacteria regulate the production of antifungal compound through quorum sensing. These molecules consist of a homoserine lactone ring linked via saturated or unsaturated acyl chain and with or without a keto or hydroxyl substituent at C3 position. Production of hexanoyl homoserine lactone (HHL) is reported in two P. aurantiaca strains, PB-St2 and B-162 (Fig. 14.4) (Feklistova and Maksimova 2008; Mehnaz et al. 2009).
Cyclo (L-Pro-L-Val)
Park et al. (2012) have isolated this compound from P. aurantiaca isolate IB5-10 and also reported its antifungal activity against R. solani. Production of this com- pound is reported in other bacterial strain, but it was always under discussion whether it is a natural product or an artifact. Mehnaz et al. (2013) have discussed this point in detail, and it has been proven as an artifact which is produced due to autoclaving of LB medium. Park et al. (2012) also cultivated IB5-10 in LB medium which creates the doubt about its production as a natural product of P. aurantiaca.
Still not convinced?
Role in Plant Growth Promotion
Direct Mechanisms
P. aurantiaca possesses several mechanisms, including the direct and indirect ones, to promote plant growth. P. aurantiaca is not a nitrogen fixer, but IAA production is known for all those strains which were assayed for auxins production. Phosphate solubilization is observed in SR1 and PB-St2 strains. 1-Amino, cyclopropane- 1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase enzyme has been detected in PB-St2. P. aurantiaca SR1 strain has been extensively studied for its growth-promoting activities through inoculation in different crops. Before going for long-term inoculation experiments, colonizing ability of this strain was studied in alfalfa, soybean, and wheat. Population density of this strain was in the range of 105 CFU/seed for these crops (Andres et al. 2011). Endophytic behavior of SR1 is also reported for several crops (Carlier et al. 2008; Rosas et al. 2005, 2009).
IAA Production
IAA production in SR1 was estimated, and it was noticed that production was maximum (11.7 μg/ml) in 24-h-old culture and later on it decreased. Production of IAA in PB-St2 was quantified by HPLC after 1-week growth. The amount was very low (0.15 μg/ml) and may be due to estimation after 7 days as it might be degraded in a week’s time. After nitrogen fixation, IAA is considered as a major mechanism involved in plant growth promotion. IAA produced by root/rhizosphere-colonizing microbes is proposed to act in conjunction with endogenous IAA to stimulate cell proliferation and/or elongation and enhance the uptake of minerals and nutrients by plants, from the soil (Patten and Glick 2002; Suzuki et al. 2003). The growth of plants inoculated with IAA-producing bacteria is affected by the amount of IAA that the bacterium produces. Thus, bacteria facilitate plant growth by changing the hormonal balance of inoculated plant (Vessey 2003).
Phosphate Solubilization
Low levels of soluble phosphate can limit the growth of plants. Some bacteria solubilize phosphate from organic- or inorganic-bound phosphates and facilitate plant growth. Strains of genus Pseudomonas have the ability to solubilize insoluble inorganic phosphate (mineral phosphate) compounds such as tricalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, hydroxyl apatite, and rock phosphate (Rodriguez et al. 2006). Several enzymes, namely, phosphatases, phytases, phosphonatases, and Carbon-phosphorous (C-P) lyases, release soluble phosphorus from organic compounds in soil. C-P lyases cleave C-P links in organophosphonates. Release of phosphorus from mineral phos- phate is related to the production of organic acids, such as gluconic acid (Rodriguez
384 S. Mehnazet al. 2006). P. aurantiaca SR1 moderately solubilizes the phosphate (Rovera et al. 2008). This character was not detected in PB-St2 and neither reported for other strains of P. aurantiaca.
ACC Deaminase Production
ACC deaminase production is detected in PB-St2. Unfortunately this strain has not been used in plant experiments yet; however, presence of this enzyme, in addition to IAA production, makes it a good candidate for a biofertilizer. ACC deaminase-containing bacteria facilitate plant growth and development by decreasing endogenous ethylene level of host plant. These bacteria hydrolyze ACC (precursor of ethylene). The products of this hydrolysis, ammonia and α-ketobutyrate, can be used by the bacterium as a source of nitrogen and carbon for growth (Klee et al. 1991). In this way, the bacterium acts as a sink for ACC and thus lowers ethylene level in plants, preventing some of the potentially deleterious consequences of high ethylene concentrations (Saleem et al. 2007). Bacteria with ACC deaminase trait usually give very consistent results in improving plant growth and yield and thus are good candidates for biofertilizer formulation (Shaharoona et al. 2006). Several forms of stress are relieved by ACC deaminase producers, including effects of phytopathogenic bacteria, resistance to stress from polyaromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, salt, and drought (Glick et al. 2007).
Plant Growth Promotion due to Inoculation of P. aurantiaca SR1
P. aurantiaca SR1 has been inoculated in several crops, and growth promotion in these crops has been reported. Andres et al. (2011) inoculated alfalfa and soybean plants with P. aurantiaca SR1, in combination with Sinorhizobium meliloti 3Doh13 or Bradyrhizobium japonicum E109. It was observed that SR1 increased the length and dry weights of roots and shoots and dry weight of nodules of alfalfa plants in combination with S. meliloti 3Doh13 as compared to the plants inoculated with S. meliloti 3Doh13 alone. Similarly, increase in nodule numbers and dry weight of roots and shoots of soybean plants was observed with P. aurantiaca SR1 and B. japonicum E109, as compared to the plants inoculated with B. japonicum E109 but without SR1.
P. aurantiaca SR1 formulation promoted root development in wheat, sugarcane, and carob tree and root development and a higher number of nodules when co-inoculated in soybean and alfalfa, under greenhouse conditions (Rosas et al. 2005; Rovera et al. 2008). In order to evaluate its growth promotion effect in the field, P. aurantiaca SR1 was formulated as inoculant and applied on maize and wheat seeds at the sowing time. Low doses of phosphorous and nitrogen fertilizers were also added in the field. P. aurantiaca SR1 colonized the root system of both crops and persisted at appropriate population densities. Both crops produced higher yields with low fertilization doses as compared to conventionally applied fertilizer dozes. Growth promotion in SR1 inoculated can be due to involvement of more than one direct mechanism such as IAA production and phosphate solubilization, as strain is capable of performing both mechanisms.
As you can see, there is an enormous amount of recent, scholarly research into this. However, it's rather difficult to pinpoint the role of any single species or group...
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/littonc/PDFs/301_Soils_IV.pdfIt shouldn't surprise anyone that organisms don't discriminate between organic and synthetic sources, because the chemical structures are identical. The real issue is, that we can't synthesis, simulate, or even comprehend what has occurred during 450+ million years of co-evolution.
After all, bipedalism has only evolved within the last 1-2% of the same time frame
http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-family-tree-
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BC you have to understand who you're dealing with here. You are posting in Sustainable Technologies & Ethical Living... on a plant oriented website...on the internet. One of the most basic ideas of any business is "know your audience".
The people viewing this thread fall into 3 categories:
1. Those that are already very knowledgeable about this topic, and don't need the information
2. Those that have already decided chem-free is not for them
3. Those that are curious, but have at least basic computer knowledge (http://bit.ly/1iW7gHC)
Personally, I am a bit of both 1 & 3. I am certainly no "expert", and like learning about new things. I am interested in what you have to say, however even at the low cost of 3$ (US, CND, or AUS), I don't think it provide me with anything I couldn't easily find here or elsewhere for free. I don't think 3$ is unreasonable, but consider the plant fiends your dealing with here. 3$ is another pack of seeds, or shipping for seeds, or some jiffy pots, or....
I don't grow the special sage anymore, but I still love plants. I try to be as organic as possible, and been known to get a little nuts about it tooI always hear this argument... "Chemical ferts are the same, plants don't know the difference. You @%$^@ hippies and your organic mumbo jumbo" I used to try to tell these type of people about the benefits, usually to the point of frustration. Now, I just smile and move along. You see, it doesn't matter what you say, because they can't listen or look into it for themselves. You certainly can't force them to feel. Usually when your still alive, but can't see, hear, or feel anything, it's because your unconscious. Trust me,
However, I have good news for you! There are millions of people world-wide who are looking and listening
Since you seem to fit the criteria, I'll share a little about what I know on the subject.
- Soil scientists cringe at the word dirt. Soil is full of life, dirt is dead. http://urbanext.illinois.edu/soil/SoilBiology/soil_biology_primer.htm#Contents
- As you mentioned chemical fertilizer are typically produced as salts. As these salts accumulate, it becomes more hostile for microbial life.
- Fungi are awesome. However, I feel isolating a culture soil fungi would be futile. There are simply too many, and it would be nearly impossible to determine which are best.
- Your teas are the easiest and most economical way to raise these cultures. Although you can buy mycorrhizal products in stores, compost or castings gaurentees you have viable and diverse cultures.
- Did I mention Fungi are awesome? AMINO ACIDS IN THE RHIZOSPHERE: FROM PLANTS TO MICROBES.pdf
Often referred to as the “building blocks of proteins”, the 20 canonical proteinogenic amino acids are ubiquitous in biological systems as the functional units in proteins. Sometimes overlooked are their varying additional roles that include serving as meta- bolic intermediaries, playing structural roles in bioactive natural products, acting as cosubstrates in enzymatic transformations, and as key regulators of cellular physiology. Amino acids can also serve as biological sources of both carbon and nitrogen and are found in the rhizosphere as a result of lysis or cellular efflux from plants and microbes and proteolysis of existing peptides. While both plants and microbes apparently prefer to take up nitrogen in its inorganic form, their ability to take up and use amino acids may confer a selective advantage in certain environments where organic nitrogen is abundant. Further, certain amino acids (e.g., glutamate and proline) and their betaines (e.g., glycine betaine) serve as compatible solutes necessary for osmoregulation in plants and microbes and can undergo rapid cellular flux. This ability is of particular importance in an ecological niche such as the rhizosphere, which is prone to significant variations in solute concentrations. Amino acids are also shown to alter key phe- notypes related to plant root growth and microbial colonization, symbiotic interactions, and pathogenesis in the rhizosphere. This review will focus on the sources, transport mechanisms, and potential roles of the 20 canonical proteinogenic amino acids in the rhizosphere.
Keep in mind, I still have a lot of listening, looking, learning, caring, sharing, sowing, growing, loving and living to do yet.
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Not sure how much rain or how exposed your plants are, but wanted to add a friendly reminder...
If they are not getting a good rinse from mother nature, be sure to hit them with plain water every so often to prevent salt accumulation/build up.Remember, they can't abscise their leaves under stress, like most other green things do. Because they typically don't have any to shed
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Lumberjack is supposed to have a dominant, downward pointing spine I believe.
Have you seen this link yet?
Named Clones Database Discussion Thread -
I agree, beautiful plants/pictures as usual!
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Its not like it's any big secret ALL cacti have crack cocaine in them...
- Richard Prior nearly blew himself up using ether to extract it out of a christmas cactus.
- Tina Turner was found dead in a bathtub after trying to blast her way to the moon using Gymnocalycium mihanovichii pups.
- Pee Wee Herman was arrested for sneaking a Lophocereus schottii cv. BPC into a movie theater without paying for a ticket.
Do not make the same mistake as these famous people, and just say no to cact-uses
And then of course there's this: http://store.treehousegreengifts.com/prickly-cactus-eggling-crack-and-grow-garden-by-noted/
Remember kids...
Crackti, not even once!
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Penns woods isn't much better, 6 months indoor, 6 month outdoor
I love my light and all... but there is nothing like that great, free HID in the sky-
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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.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
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
It's so easy even a Kman could get it!
Here's some extra pictures of the first plant, this eager little lady is actually flowering as fast as she can grow.-
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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.”
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@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
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Save them all in a box and return them to the company that made the register tape in the first place?
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Yeah I somehow missed this until now too. Awesome job philo, absolutely stunning plant.
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Seed Giveaway (cacti & more)
in Seed & Plant Swaps
Posted
I've benefitted from many freebies from other members here, thanks! I have some excess seeds in my stash, but they don't do any good sitting in a box. I figure I can count on you guys to help me get them in the ground before they germinate from sitting in all the dust.
I am offering 5 envelopes, and every member is eligible. There will be 5 "drawings" using a random number generator to select where they go.
In 2012 zelly hooked me up with a bunch of free seed with my small purchase. Each envelope will contain 25+ seeds of the following:
(SS02 x SS01) x (SS02 x SS01)
PC Pachanoi x (SS02 x SS01)
You may also choose 2 of the following options, (quantities) are limited so it is a first come basis. Each pack has 25+ seeds.
Juuls Giant x Kimnach (1)
Nicotina rustica (3)
Heirloom Lettuce (3)
Heirloom Spinach (3)
Cherry Tomato (3)
C. annum "Medusa" (2)
To enter, post in this thread with your 2 choices. Your post # will be your entry #, so only your first post counts. Entry period ends 11:59:59 pm on Saturday, May 24th. Winners should be announced on the 25th.