fyzygy

My standard scopulicola produces tiny spines that diminish with age. This one doesn't seem to produce those tiny spines, and barely anything at all in the way of aureoles. I think that's new growth right at the tip. Any thoughts? UPDATE It's very slow to root. Wow ... it's taken 18 months to produce 1 clone and 1 viable pup. Will try and update some pics.

Melbourne

Look familiar? The owner of this specimen said that it came from Nimbin.

Ogun cutting on eBay Not cheap.

This is about the most information on zeolite I've come across to date ... from an eBay listing. NATURAL AUSTRALIAN ZEOLITE Escott zeolite is an amazing natural mineral because of its extraordinary ability to absorb, hold, release, and exchange different chemicals, nutrients, toxins and ions according to need. Escott zeolite was formed from the glass component of volcanic ash millions of years ago. Zeolite Australia's huge 300 million year old zeolite deposit in News South Wales is unique and possess superior characteristics for a diverse range of industrial, commercial, rural and domestic applications. The major mineral of Escott zeolite is clinoptilolite, which is a calcium, potassium, magnesium, aluminosilicate and has a cation exchange capacity (CEC) of +120 meq. /100g. Escott zeolite is unusually hard and low in sodium compared with other zeolites of the world and is therefore particularly durable and suitable for agricultural and horticultural and water filtration applications. Escott zeolite has a unique internally porous atomic structure that provides a very open framework with a network of pores giving it a large surface area (up to 450m /g) and high porosity (up to 45%) for trapping and exchanging valuable cations, water and other molecules without any change in structure. Escott zeolite is a robust, insoluble and chemically stable natural mineral (part of a group of hydrated alumino silicates) and can be used as an organic agricultural and horticultural input. It carries a negative charge balanced by freely moving cations with positive charges. This provides an ideal trap for positive cations like nitrogen rich ammonium and potassium which are then released when demanded by plants. Escott high-quality, natural zeolite is therefor an excellent water filtration mediua and soil amendment - fertiliser carrier and can continue to function as a water and nutrient reservoir in the soil indefinitely. Escott zeolite has a particularly affinity for ammonium (N H4+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca+) magnesium (Mg+) and trace elements which makes it particularly useful as a soil, compost and fertiliser additive to attract, retain and slowly release critical plant nutrients. ZEOLITE IN AGRICULTURE Zeolite: Enables better plant growth Improves the efficiency and value of fertiliser Improves water infiltration and retention Improves yield Retains nutrients for use by plants Improves long term soil quality Reduces loss of nutrients in soil Applying zeolite to the soil can improve its ability to hold nutrients and water Zeolite is a natural super porous mineral (part of a group of hydrated alumino silicates). It carries a negative charge balanced by freely moving cations with positive charges. this provides an ideal trap for positive cations like nitrogen rich ammonium and potassium which are then released when demanded by plants. Zeolites have a very open framework with a network of pores giving it a large surface area for trapping and exchanging valuable nutrients. More efficient fertiliser use With the current high price of ammonium fertilisers zeolite can be used to extend their efficiency and performance. Blending fertiliser with zeolite can produce the same yield from less fertiliser applied because of the reduction of volatolization and leaching losses. It is particularly suitable for banding under drip irrigation planting where it will assist water infiltration, distribution and retention. When fertigation is practiced it will actively hold the nutrients in the rootzone. More efficient water use Zeolite assists water infiltration and retention in the soil due to its very porous properties and the capillary suction it exerts. Acting as a natural wetting agent, it is an excellent amendment for non wetting sands and to assit water distribution through soils. The role of zeolite Zeolite can hold nutrients in the root zone for plants to use when required. This leads to more efficient use of N and K fertilisers - either less fertiliser for the same yield or the same amount of fertiliser lasting longer and producing higher yields. An added benefit of zeolite application is that unlike other soil amendments (gypsum and lime) it does not break down over time but remains in the soil to help improve nutrient and water retention permanently. With subsequent applications the zeolite will further improve the soil's ability to retain nutrients and produce improved yields. And zeolite is not acidic. In fact it is marginally alkaline and its use with fertilisers can help buffer soil pH levels thus reducing the need for lime applications. POTTING MIXES & COMPOSTS An open mix with high air porosity and good drainage is important to stimulate root growth and prevent many root diseases but it also leads to rapid leaching of nutrients away from the root zones of plants. Escott Zeolite prevents this by attracting and holding the nutrients preventing them washing through the container. The typical approach to growing crops has been to apply high rates of fertiliser to overcome the losses due to leaching. This is both expensive and inefficient as well as environmentally damaging in terms of high nutrient run off. Use of Escott Zeolite will soak up excess ammonium in mixes often released under hot conditions, preventing root burning. Escott Zeolite is not effected by temperature and buffers the dumping of nutrients by polymer coated fertilisers under hot conditions. And Escott Zeolite is not acidic. In fact it is marginally alkaline and its use with fertilisers can help buffer soil pH levels thus reducing the need for lime applications. Zeolite carries a negative ionic charge which naturally attracts positive charged cations like Ammonium, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium. The open crystalline structure of zeolite has many storage sites for these ions which hold naturally through a loose chemical bond. These fertiliser ions are available to plants. Zeolite has a very high cation exchange capacity and thus increases the mixes ability to hold and release nutrients. As cations are water soluble they escape from mixes by leaching. You get better value from your fertiliser dollar, improved plant growth and reduce the nutrient load in your runoff and collected water, reducing the E.C. levels of your water storages. Research Initial trial work into horticulture commenced in 1988 and was conducted by the University of New England and carried out by the Department of Agronomy & Soil Science. Test planting of Lettuce and the flowering plant Reseda odorata into potting mixes at 8% by weight and Uralla (sandy granitic) soil Conclusions: The results of the trials using Escott zeolite from Zeolite Australia were significant. Escott Zeolite addition produced considerable increases in plant growth Escott Zeolite reduces Nitrogen toxicity in early plant growth. Zeolite has the ability to retain nitrogen in the absorbed (NH4+) form against leaching Escott Zeolite improves the uptake of Nitrogen in plants and improves fertilizer utilization Escott Zeolite did not increase residual nitrogen in the mix but improved uptake by plants by 175% in Potting mix Used by Australia's Leading Potting Mix Manufacturers Escott Zeolite is used by many leading potting mix manufacturers for inclusion in the bark composting process and in finished growing medias to commercial growers, where its nutrient retention and ammonium buffering provide nutrient efficiency and ammonium safety. It also assists in the even distribution of water through mixes and increases the capillary uptake of water in capillary matt and ebb & flow irrigation systems. Zeolite is also used in greenwaste recycling where it assists in even moisture and nutrient retention through composting windrows, reducing composting times and producing a less odourous, more consistent final compost. Rates of Inclusion 1% of mix volume = 10 Kg per M³ 2.5% of mix volume = 25 Kg per M³ 5% of mix volume = 50 Kg per M³ Uses for Zeolite Pollution Control Increases biological activity, reduces nutrient levels, cuts sludge volume and odours, reduces ammonia and BOD levels in ion exchange columns or bed effluent, can be back flushed and regenerated, with ammonia recovered for fertiliser, increases sewerage plant capacity and life cycle. Mining Remediation of mines through absorption and retention of dangerous heavy metals and other metallurgical wastes. Crops/Pastures Higher yields through making fertilisers more effective by preventing leeching and holding valuable nutrients such as ammonium nitrate, potassium, magnesium and calcium as well as trace elements for slow release as needed. Also produces long term soil improvements. Horticulture Retains nutrients longer to lower fertiliser costs; substantial yield improvements; less nutrient leeching; long term soil improvement. Stockfeeds Diminishes ammonia toxicity and scouring; increases nitrogen levels in manures for higher fertiliser values; reduces odour levels in sheds and a safer, slow release off ammonia from urea; produces lower mortality rates in fowls and limits the moisture levels in organic wastes. Aquaculture Decreases ammonia levels in ponds and tanks; filtrates water for cleaner tanks. Turf Produces significant turf root improvement; dense and deeper feeder root system; less fertilisers required; retention of key nutrients; increased soil potassium levels; permanent increase in cation-exchange capacity. Vermiculture Traps nitrogen through cation-exchange, eliminates odours in worm farms, absorbs and holds heavy metals, stabilises the pH value of worm beds; increases the nutrient value of vermicast.

Many of these same questions are discussed in a book called The Vedas and Upanishads for Children. (In the Upanishads section). https://au1lib.org/s/vedas upanishads children

I use Zeolite in the garden. I believe it's an engineered stone product. Cactus plants seem to love it. My understanding is that nutrients etc. bind to the zeolite somehow, reducing the need for fertilisers. I have never tried taking it myself. Installers of artificial turf use zeolite crystals as an odour-absorbent -- ammonia from pet urine binds to the zeolite, eliminating smell. I guess human detox might work on a similar principle.

OMG yes.

So, cultivation is to be regulated?

I bought one, a nice strong seedling. Price included express shipping.

I wonder if a rodent would be either extremely hungry or unwell, in order to try San Pedro.

Looking for Acacia courtii seed or seedling. Trade or buy.

One small T. peruvianus pup I have has turned quite yellow, not sure why. The mother is not variegated. Is spontaneous variegation a possibility, or is it a genetic trait? It's yellow more on one side than the other, so I suspect some environmental influence? The plant was stressed, for sure, where I found it in a neglected corner of my garden.

Roger Waters' Us+Them is a pretty spectacular tour recording. I agree with FancyPants, Stop Making Sense is brilliant. There's a wonderful doco on Sun Ra and His Arkestra, from back in the day. Rolling Thunder Revue, on Netflix, captured some terrific Dylan performances. A Frank Zappa doco from a few years back, the name of which escapes me. There's so much out there ...

And the full text, for those without a subscription: https://booksc.org/book/26353429/3fc631

Reminds me of carob.

The retailer is continuing to sell a product containing Reishi, Cordyceps and Maitake mushrooms. So these must be permitted. I don't know what other mushroom products they sold, prior to the changes. UPDATE: The retailer replied: "The food regulators have said that medicinal mushrooms can be approved by the TGA, but they need to go through a testing and approval process first. We, along with many other companies selling mushrooms here, will be pursuing the process to have our mushrooms approved for sale, but unfortunately it is a lengthy process." They also provided the following link to the review of nutritive substances and novel foods: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/industry/novel/Pages/default.aspx

I wouldn't go to the trouble, except somebody sent me a small plant. I have no idea how to care for it. Currently in shaded greenhouse, but thinking of relocating indoors (bathroom) over winter. I don't intend to go DWC/hydro or anything requiring inputs of electrical energy (other than perhaps a string of solar-powered LEDs, to warm the greenhouse). I'd love to hear from any successful cold-climate cultivators of this species.

Since most cultivated passionfruit plants are grafted to "wild" root-stock, does anyone happen to know what those "wild" plants probably are? I've taken cuttings from some Brunswick alleyway plants (in Melbourne) that have gone ballistic, the shiny-leafed fruiting varieties alongside their "weedy" root-stock variants -- in full sun the leaves grow a reddish colour. To my shame, I've in the past exterminated "wild passionfruit" vines, probably P. incarnata.

The episode on Bufo was beautiful. I want more!

18cm pup, slender & scarred but beautiful. PM if interested in a meaningful exchange.

Any chance these talks will be recorded? I won't be able to make the live event.

Allow me to illustrate. Here's three seedlings of supposedly "spineless" Matucana. Beautiful plants, but they're about as spiny as any I've seen. (I saw another grower selling something very similar, on eBay, as "spineless Matucana"). I guess the claim of "landrace genetics" goes right out the window, if hybridised with an unknown Trich. Probably still "Matucanan" though? Any chance these would become spineless, over time? (I was hopeful, once, but not so much any more.)

OK, thanks. The plant from which this pup was cut (just this morning) has roots but was, I think, in a light-deprived situation. But only the pup (and not the mother) has this discolouration. The pup is long and skinny, so probably starved for sunlight.

B. caapi contains harmala alkaloids. The harmala alkaloids are listed in Australia's schedule 9 "prohibited substances", except in herbs containing less than 0.1 percent or in divided preparations containing 2 mg or less total harmala alkaloids per recommended daily dose for therapeutic use. See Australia's Poison Standard 2009. States in Australia may have additional regulations, e.g. Queensland lists harmaline and harmalol in "schedule 2: dangerous drugs" without any provision for low therapeutic doses: See Queensland's Drug Misuse Amendment Act 2008 (thanks z) (last updated Nov 22, 2009.) from Erowid, via Google, 0.32 seconds. It's a starting point. And here's the 2019 Australian Poison Standard: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2019L00032 ("no longer in force" makes me think it's been superseded by some other legal instrument, or by state/territory schedules). A little mystery for SWIM to solve. It could be there's no clear answer to the OP's question. This is what's called a "grey area."