Spines

Only because, as I read it, there was a LOT of talk about moderation and the problem with Trollz. I've said my piece, offerred up a view - wasn't having a go at anyone... will crawl back into my box and tape the lid shut. But in keeping with the thread... How hot will I be then

mmmm RULES are there even for the benefit of free thinking radically considered ethno folk. I mean, isn't there enough crap going on in the world right now to not also get it from a place (like this site) that you choose to go to and relax and forget about the crap? I realise that as this topic is NOT about "Ladies, how hot am I??..." and this in itself could be considered troll-like behaviour... "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are - Joseph Campbell"

Dudes: NOT sure why I am posting this, except that I have read page after page after (mindless) page. As a newbie - I read ALL the posts. Half of these posts are actually fuelling the self-satisfied troll. I didn't even know what a troll was until this, but I can only assume that even trolls have reasons to join - other than to inflate their rather shallow, selfless egos. If everyone, just ignores the crap, and follows the thread, and stupid posts are deleted, then surely, a troll will go elsewhere, or behave? Create a topic called Trolls - shame them by adding their names - add a comment by the mods. Make it that they cannot be spoken about after a mod has shunned them - make them no longer exist - without wanting to insult our native indigenous culture point the proverbial "Australian aborigine bone" at them. Even in this mind expanding forum / site there still has to be rules? "It is natural to give a clear view of the world after accepting the idea that it must be clear. Albert Camus"

This is my wonderful weekends collecting: I'm hoping that this is either perunianus or pachenois. It was about 8 feet tall growing in an abandoned factory - hard up against a fence with barbed wire, squashed in the corner - as I see it, I freed it from its shackles. Two small offshoots about 8 - 12 inches long and 21/2 inches thick. 6 ribs and short spines. I's take a guess at pachenois. Puts my expensive eBay purchases to shame if it us

Thanks Inter - helps me out heaps

I was given this over the weekend - as far as cacti goes, it was a good weekend. It has loads of red flowers and the cactus is very fat. I took a chunk off it and now have two pieces. Anyone have an idea based on the spines etc? Is it a Trich or something else?

Hi, was wondering what these two new babies are: Mammillaria Craigii ?

Thanks Inter - having a name to give them is good - Spachianus is fine - not the Trich I was hoping for, but one I didn't have all the same. cheers, Spines

These were given to me, but I am concerned about the brown spots?? I did a cut of the small chunk and saw that they are hard with white pith - one has stuck out of the plant and am wondering if it is an initial small flower development - or something more sinister?? These tow were joined by the third, and had roots so I've split them and now have 3... help of Id would be good - I'm a noob, sorry. Good size at 2 foot though. Here is the brown lumps / markings up close Thanks in advance

Thanks everyone, for advice. I haven't had a Cereus before - they are kind of cute, all blue and long and prickly in a cactus kind of way. Will pot them in a week or so. Cheers Gilligan about their fruit too.

mmmmmmmmmmm cereus, thanks for that - and here I was thinking it was something more exciting. Thanks again

You guys just crack me up!!! Bob bob, put every one out of there misery and decide on a winner. I don't know if my sides will stay intact from sooooooooooooooooo much laughing. By the way, I'll have two clones, a fat tshirt that says I'm anorexic and an emo picture for the wall. On second thoughts I'll settle for the var gina and one clone. Did I say my jaw ached. I'll add 10 L.W seed vars to the winner.

I'd say that Astrophytum 1 is an Astrophytum Ornatum. Astrophytum 2 is an Astrophytum Myriostigma Nudum Astrophytum 3 is an Astrophytum Capricorne. Cactus 3 is an Echinopsis hybrid of some sort.

Mutant, you are right, of course they are not really babies- but they are the youngest of my collection

COUNT ME IN!!!! Yeah - a bulk order - missed out on the last one. Count me in, if I'm not too late - happy to go the extra $9 for more mex too.

Hey All, Spines

Hi All, wrote a post earlier today about giving away some Astrophytum pollen I have, and the thought crossed my mind - how do I save it? In fact not just Astrophytum asterias cv red flower pollen, but any cacti pollen? I sure want to save my Loph pollen if I can't match up two non self fertilising species that wont flower together. Do I just rip off the flower and turn it upside down in a plastic bag - give it a tap - seal it - and away I go? I began to wonder - would it last? How long would it stay ok to pollinate another plant. Would I have to freeze dry it and store at 10 degrees kelvin? You know - the usual stuff. Does anyone have any experience in this (no sperm bank replies please)? Spines

I've just read that some just swab it onto a cotton bud, wrap it up and post it overseas - lasts for about 2 - 3 weeks. In the absence of some desiccant, I've swabbed it with a cotton bud, into a bag and now frozen. I have another flower coming - so in a couple of weeks I should be able to cross the yellow flower with the red flower and get, who knows what. But they will still be astrophytum asterias (just have to label seeds as a cross) If nothing else it will be a test of being able to pollinate the two plants. Great advice all. Thanks.

Yeah, I left my new Ramon at work. Again, Auxin, thanks for the info - you too gilligan - I now have a handle on the methodology used. Will see what I can find by way of desiccant. Hadn't thought to heat it up prior to using it. Pollen: Dry it - keep it dry and freeze or cool it! Excellent.

Damn, and there was me thinking I'd just need a tissue and a paper bag. Thanks for that Aux - a very informative answer. I'll see what I can do with desiccant - maybe some rice? I honestly didn't think that it would be that difficult.

Hi All, Don't know if any one is interested, but I've only got one Astrophytum Asterias cv red flower variety and it flowered yesterday - All my other Astros are not in flowering mood, so I have nothing to pollinate it with (and I've only got one of the red buggers). Never thought about keeping the pollen for a "rainy day" - but happy to send the flower off to anyone who wants to fertilise one of theirs. Just tell me what to do - and if anyone is interested PM me with details and I'll send it off to ya. How's that for my first post - giving something away - I kind of feel good about that! Here's a pic of it from last year - and as you can see from the photo on the right, there is more red in the flower before it opens. cheers, Spines

I'm in too - if it's all still happening. As to the earlier posts - Vlado's seeds are a bit hit and miss for me, and he doesn't send you too many lophs per order. Got some seed from Kosta recently (ebay) and they are doing well - must be fresh. understand if I'm too late by the way