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fyzygy

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Everything posted by fyzygy

  1. fyzygy

    Frost tolerant Trichocereus?

    Other sources quote different figures (-5 ºC) for bridgesii and (-9 ºC) for peruvianus • Echinopsis atacamensis (formerly Trichocereus pasacana) (-12 ºC) • Trichocereus pachanoi (According to Plants of the World Online, today it must be considered a subspecies of Trichocereus macrogonus, although years ago it was renamed Echinopsis pachanoi) (-12 ºC) • Echinopsis lageniformis (formerly Trichocereus bridgesii) (-10 ºC) https://succulentalley.com/can-cactus-survive-winter/
  2. ... its rich composition in polyphenols, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids has been highlighted through the use of a large panel of extraction methods. The identified natural cactus compounds and derivatives were shown to be endowed with biologically relevant activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial and neuroprotective properties. -- "Nopal cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) as a source of bioactive compounds for nutrition, health and disease" Molecules (Sept. 2014). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25232708/ Another report (hinting at sexual-therapeutic benefits) lists 18 amino acids contained in prickly pear pads, fruits, flowers and seeds-- plus a host of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and other goodies: https://book4you.org/book/3690306/13b71a No mention anywhere of certain alkaloids, which are also said to be present in trace amounts.
  3. fyzygy

    Frost tolerant Trichocereus?

    I've read conflicting reports on this -- that T. peruvianus is both frost-tolerant and frost-intolerant. I'm guessing high altitudes (in native Peru) must get pretty cold.
  4. A few different hybrids (???) all from the same batch of seed (as shown in black pots). This batch germinated *much faster* than previous year's (pink pot). Pink pot is 1 year older than black. But all from identical source plant/s. The "hybrids" batch started sprouting in the fridge after only a few weeks, whereas the previous batch hadn't even after several months. Of the new batch, one pair of obvious hybrids grew so fast they had to leave the greenhouse early (super-long phyllodes, pictured at front and right). The two at the back resemble more the one in the pink pot, in terms of colour, shape, growth rate. The small pot in the centre holds a few stragglers, could be something different again.
  5. fyzygy

    Ghost mushrooms

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-17/wet-weather-brings-unseasonal-blooming-of-ghost-mushrooms/100704642 Bioluminescence!
  6. Good to know. According to Wikipedia there's no clinical evidence linking 5-HTP with serotonin syndrome or hypertensive crisis. It's an over-the-counter supplement in many parts of the world, presumably with any contraindications listed in the accompanying product literature. From a 200mg product label: For adults only. Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medications (especially antidepressants), or have a medical condition. May cause drowsiness and mild transient GI symptoms. Take with food in case of GI upset. Keep out of reach of children. I gave up eating animals many years ago, under the influence of San Pedro. Diet itself can transform consciousness, as the Hare Krishnas know only too well. Cheese is known for its opioid-receptor interactions. Perhaps Stilton should be reclassified as an anti-depressant? Further research needed, being the default state of affairs.
  7. fyzygy

    Australia is headed down a dark path

    https://ausgov.info/recipient/index.php
  8. fyzygy

    Meet up: Melbourne

    Beautiful day.
  9. Soil pH requirements: 5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic) https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/168288/#comments ... for what it's worth.
  10. Seed from a big old red khat tree ... always fails to germinate for me. Lately I've tried Buttsack's plastic-bag method (above), again to no avail. Seed was collected less than 2 months ago. This particular tree seems to reproduce mainly via suckering. It's an old tree (grown from a cutting planted 20+ years ago) so maybe no longer fertile?
  11. fyzygy

    Australia is headed down a dark path

    This idea appealed to Timothy Leary, back in the days of landline telephony. He was right, of course ... in principle. Personally, I wouldn't trust Big Data to count my vote on anything. Nor Big Media to promote informed decision-making in the first place. True democracy entails radical egalitarianism, all we have is this late-capitalist sham.
  12. I've heard wonderful things about ibogaine breaking narcotics addictions, from (I believe) a single session. I've heard of mescaline and LSD being used to treat alcohol addiction. (Actually, I can attest to the former). Is ketamine addictive?
  13. Commercial water distillers require periodic descaling.
  14. fyzygy

    Don Eduardo Calderon

    Same Eduardo?
  15. fyzygy

    Pressure cooker

    Pressure cookers used to show up secondhand, a lot. Because of safety issues (the valve would get clogged, and so on ...) The newer generation -- e.g. Instant Pot, with digital controls -- is more useful in the preparation of a variety of plant medicines.
  16. fyzygy

    can receptors get stuck?

    Is for hypertension?
  17. What becomes of all the filtered contaminants?
  18. Wouldn't purity of distilled water held in storage be compromised by chemical leaching from tank walls, plumbing fittings etc.? Not necessarily a problem, depending on your requirements. I suspect that plants (and animals, including human beings) benefit from trace minerals in their water supply -- pure water would leach nutrients (as well as toxins) from living cells.
  19. I don't know what a bobble valve is, or what the pump does. I guess it speeds up condensation. From your design I assume you need an off-grid version? Not sure what the scale of your design is, or how much water you intend to distill. My friend probably blew more on a passive solar DIY design than he could have spent buying a 4L distiller on eBay (under $130). For $50 - $110 (delivered via eBay) an argon-welded, stainless steel distiller from 12L to 30L -- distills purifies water as well as alcohol. Power requirements not listed -- presumably it would suck a few hundred watts per hour, over several hours it takes to distill water. There's always passive solar, sunshine on glass, but it takes time ...
  20. fyzygy

    Commercial Importation of Kava

    That's my impression too. But for the purposes of trade and import, wouldn't powdered orange juice (for example) be classified as a beverage? I've only ever seen powdered kava locally, in the health food store, back in the day (late 1990s). The goal of keeping kava out of Indigenous Australian communities wouldn't surprise me in the least. That's what multiculturalism looks like, Down Under.
  21. fyzygy

    Acaca obtusifolia seedlings

    Half a dozen or so still available, nicely hardened off.
  22. Not only the presumption of innocence, but any and all human rights are potentially overridden "in time of public emergency which threatens the life of the nation" -- Australian Attorney-General website quoting ICCPR.
  23. fyzygy

    Commercial Importation of Kava

    Interesting politics - hadn't known about the ban in 2007. Sounds like a pretty racist policy?
  24. Did the TGA have anything to do with this raid?
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