Flip

Interesting thread. Three things come to mind here 1) Being the packaging of health insurance with employment. 2) The other having to do with workplace culture. 3) Government and capitalistic pragmatism Aside from business insurance (required depending upon national /local laws and risk) Individual employee coverage got their foothold as a pitched added incentive when luring prized workers. Also, working collectively, a larger businesses could negociate a bulk discount from a health insurer. - to everyones benefit This became a standard practice in the business world Thus removing the pressure for real governmental health case for it's citizens. In turn, to maximize profits the insurance companies eventually conducted cost risk assessments on the workforce... leading to the situation we have here. Rkundalini, RE: social engineering nightmare all these concerns are currently counterbalanced by the realization that to each individual, over scrutiny is indeed a double edge sword. Majority opinion tends to "win" in these cases as part of a companies identity and "culture" What tends to happen is that some companies and businesses tend to attract and hire like minded people that fit into their established culture. Take IBM and Apple computer for example: one highly "uptight" and conservative .. (as a example IBM's dress code involved sock garters ) while apple is much looser and creative without a dress code. Eventually these cultures can become assets in the marketplace or not, allowing one to survive and prosper or not. just like other societies. In this case, smoking is proven to be a dangerous habit. and that causes serious health problems that the insurance companies would have to shell out millions for. They're just maximizing their bottle line. imho, I believe that the US government is coming down on smoking because the money gained from taxes isn't enough to cover the uninsured various costs resulting from smoking. Just one of the downsides of being able to treat cancer vs letting people all die quickly as in the past. side note: rkundalini, In the united states the "right to offend" is in Serious Jeopardy. This whole neo-conservative (read fascist) nation I live in is seriously in need of an liberal enema. If this continues it'll lead to something like Genomism. then we'll all be genetically enhanced robots or totally screwed. [ 19. February 2005, 09:27: Message edited by: Flip ]

It's not like the US Agencies aren't aware of this Yes, they get things wrong (on purpose?) but they also get much of it all right.

FYI Heat breaks down the anti bacterial and fungal proprieties of peat moss. You may wish to sterilize the sharp cut sand mix and leave the shredded peat moss alone to be added after the sand soil mix has cooled for such small seeds

I didn't mean any offense salvi, my comment was more, regarding the advise I've heard from others regarding placing cuttings "in the closet". I've got two cuttings sitting on the bar in the kitchen the light could be better -for sure. but this is only because it's a cool and dry place to let them heal up for the week. afterwards they're either going to stand up outside against the wall or into the office for "long term" storage and dry rooting. best of luck!

Assuming that they're cuttings that are already callused when shipped Take your new friends and set them in a bright well lit area protected from direct sunlight. that will be near their final resting place. let them adjust to the shock of shipping and new environment for about a week or more (let your gut guide you). Pot them in a well draining container with a healthy amount (1/3) of sharp cut sand in the mix. Do not use a rich compost potting soil (aka african violets) a good premium mix amended with sharp cut sand and pearlite works well for me and my cacti. place the cutting 1/3 it's length down into the new soil. just enough to hold it securely in place. lightly compact the soil around it to keep it secure. gradually move into full sun over the next few months do not water unless bone dry 1/2 inch down for the next month water lightly afterwards new growth appears ... increase there's no need to feed for awhile. it should find everything it needs in the soil mix you can start feeding when growth is rapid. Just follow your gut and a bit of common sense. enjoy. [ 18. February 2005, 11:41: Message edited by: Flip ]

Salvi, Well from my perspective, There is no reason to place a fresh cutting in the closet. I really don't know where this came from of what the thought is behind it... perhaps, another can help out. Anyway, I believe the lack of light sends the plant the signal that at it's current height there is a inconsistent and or inadequate amount of available light available. It's only recourse is to reach up asap. This is set for the plant and only after long term extended reassurances that there will be no further light shortage will the cacti thicken to full girth. Take it from the plants perspective, In nature, the only reason why a plant suddenly goes dark is because some other faster growing plant is blocking and eating up the available light or if something has fallen in way. Either way, the logical solution is to grow upwards fast and hope that you can get more light before it starves to death. [ 18. February 2005, 11:18: Message edited by: Flip ]

sorry salvi, while I may not agree with the company I believe that the engine behind this is actually the analysis from the insurance companies and worker cost/risk assessments. imo, Torsen points are valid, a offensive / lacking worker is often a liability for a company to have in their employ. Within the United States it is a valid reason to terminate one's employment if they're deemed disruptive or even inefficient after providing proper training and or counseling. To my knowledge, the only way to combat this sort of thing historically has been the creation of a workers union. I guess they're finding out what bush adminstration means be being "pro business" huh? btw, Given the last decades worth of anti-smoking Propaganda and resulting laws cultural shifting shouldn't come as a shock. [ 18. February 2005, 06:05: Message edited by: Flip ]

Your etiolation may be caused by keeping the cutting in a low light situation. from the plants perspective it's "reaching upwards towards the sunlight" why grow thick when you're energy is committed to going up? I do not believe that it has anything to do with it's lack of root system itself. imo, as long as the cutting was well cared for and fed before being removed from it's mother plant and kept in enough light while healing. it should not show any etiolation when growth renews. [ 18. February 2005, 04:36: Message edited by: Flip ]

well I'm not too sure about that salvia, the money saved is enough of a reason to get rid of a few people who can perhaps be replaced with others at a lower wage. This is all in addition to the motivation that non-smokers can apply to management over cig butts, "poor air quality", and even a personality conflict with a die hard smoker. I know the kinda of pressure insurance companies can apply upon a business. health coverage and business insurance can be very expensive Still this is a slippery slope... along the lines of urine testing and once again motivated by insurance rates and their studies that support said position of : Drug using workers are liabilities for a company to have.

Here's the photos I said I would post as you can see there's a lot of rooting from the two pups at the top of the 14" log than at the gravitational bottom. The more upright of the two pups is sending it's roots through the actual mother log! you can also see that the bottom the the log is barely rooting at all but those roots did form directly under the two pups vs a even distribution or even at the center or the gravitational bottom. it all leads me to believe that the motivation to root originates from the growing tops of the cacti.

ah, Young Tripper... You've seemingly have much to learn about different societies and governments. The good news about this is that they indeed do have a case as well as, the money to hire good lawers and as we've all learned from the OJ CASE good lawers can let you get away with murder in the united states in this case they might be able to get the christain mixed themed religion some slack and stop the harrassment, if not legal status as a legit religion.

I certainly agree that many people that "have problems" had a pre-existing condition that contributed to their poor choices and (ab)use of a street drugs. in other words many used a drug as a tool to hurt themselves. (in a freudian death instinct/self loathing sense) it's these people that make the headlines.

There was a bit of debate about this on one of the blog forums. I found several sources that listed this toad as being endangered and or a threatened species. cgee.hamline.edu/frogs/science/Threatened.pdf While they may be "common" in several hotspots it's reasonable to believe that human encroachment and "development" is destroying habitat. In addition to the hippie, track home kids with bb guns and "roadkill" taking out a fair number, are all the (?) running about either squeezing them to death or killing them via inept care back home. Not talking about your friendly... but I don't want to see these animals go down the same sad route peyote has.

well rooting forms from the center fiber ring and works it's way outwards. pups sprouting roots makes a lot of sense for the plant I believe that the mechanism for this involves new growth who's metabolites stimulate rooting from the core. case in point. I have a pedro 14" "log" that was left abandoned on the roadway. yes, I happened to drive by and ID it at 60kph! it was all scrapped up and seems to have fallen off a moving truck After several months of standing upright it's sprouted two pups these new tips have grown a few inches and have formed roots at the joint with the mother stem. at the gravitational bottom of the pup. since it's joint with the mother plant constricts and arcs creating a "collection point". I'll inspect the log to see if there's any rooting at the 6 O' Clock of the mother log herself. seems as if it'll help with the tip=+rooting hormone line of thought. although I do believe that it's a process that occurs throughout the plant, Just at lower levels in older midsection tissues. I'll post some picts later today. [ 11. February 2005, 06:20: Message edited by: Flip ]

I believe it's inherent within those drugs (ab)usage. With entheogens a individual cannot escape from turning towards self examination. abuse is curbed by that and tolerance. Where as, with meth, coke, EToH (and pot?) individuals can fall into a cycle of escapism with other reinforcements. Psychosis being the result... jmo. [ 11. February 2005, 05:21: Message edited by: Flip ]

I'm sorry to hear about this. Far too many people don't seem to understand that a "simple pet" can be both a significant member of a family as well as a best friend in life. If I can say anything, please don't think about this in terms of cost, but of quality of life. that is most important. regarding treatment options... It seems like she's terminal and that there is nothing anyone can do to stop the cancer. If it was me I would seriously think about making the most of the weeks that are left and make her life as happy as possible. (I'd start with a big block of bacon and a beer bowl) Remove the "golfball" if it can be done without much fuss. Keep her at home where she knows she's loved and happiest live it up with her - starting today! she may be able to teach you a few last lessons... keep it happy. and before any suffering starts ... let her go on her way -without any pain. going the extra mile.... You may be able to get the vet to let you have the shots for her and do this yourself if you feel that you're up to it difficult as it may be. you may be able to give her a sleeping aid to keep her calm for the injection. I had to do this with one of my dogs and it was difficult. but he knew that I cared for him greatly. especially those last few weeks we're good times and that's what's important. when it certain that he couldn't go any further we injected him with the narcotics that would send him on his way. I held him as he passed. which I think is much better than him being on a metal table in a vets office with a bunch of damn strangers. [ 09. February 2005, 11:56: Message edited by: Flip ]

I suggest a mac. [ 09. February 2005, 11:46: Message edited by: Flip ]

Sorry it took me so long to reply, Yes it seems as if it's all covered thus far, however to answer the question. After making any cutting I lay it upon it's side in a area where it will be exposed to dry moving air, until well healed (1 week +) I will then reposition upright and slightly tilted against a wall with a towel underneath to draw away moisture. Usually they'll rest this way for the next few months in the office collecting dust until the first signs of rooting... then it's onto planting. I also agree with rooting originating from the core's mature fiber ring this is the cacti's vascular system (that needs to be tapped). It's just another reason why topical application of rooting hormone use is questionable... It may "work" if it's applied via shallow injection to the core ring. but in general it's not required and may cause damage or infection straight up the whole plant side thought: I do wonder if the tip has anything to do with root stimulation, if it's just a general product of cellular metabolism that is in a negative feedback loop with the (missing) root system. Or it's a general root growth stimulant that is gravitating towards the "6 O'Clock " stimulating roots as well as "rooting". anyway, My subjective observations say that tipless cuttings take longer to spawn roots. Light and moisture availability may also be factors. bests! [ 09. February 2005, 09:44: Message edited by: Flip ]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Since it had a monetary value to it you may wish to call the police to make a report based upon the theft of a vlauable item such as this not to mention the value to a collector such as yourself that way ... it's on file. secondly, I would hire a local kid for information (one of the heads) kids can't keep a seceret as a rule and will talk about their "score" or brag about their experiences to friends... how many cacti eaters are around there anyway...? they'll be talking... if it's a inside job, then the kids will be a local to you you should be able to find them. All the local heads always know each other -in every country. and either get your plant back or double the cash value. use the police report as a threat and bring them into it if required. it's likely, that these bozo's have done this to others and that their charges may be for more than just one plant theft. Not to mention it' being something to the effect of a planned "break in" for starters hope you can locate it and recover otherwise... be careful who you allow into your personal space. bests! [ 30. January 2005, 13:10: Message edited by: Flip ]

With any cutting it's best to set it in it's final position as soon as possible. As soon as the callous forms, set upright for tips and even midsection cuttings, if that is how their to be planted. hormones (perhaps produced as a by product from tip growth) gravitate downward and motivate root growth. this would explain why midsection "older cacti" are slower rooters than young (tip containing) growth. Either way it's important to keep the cutting in a stable position so that hormone concentrations will gather at the gravitational bottom of the cutting. in theory at least... In general, I hold my cuttings until they start showing signs of dry rooting before I place them into soil. My experience with rooting hormones is that it'll will only cause necrosis and are to be avoided with these plants. best of luck!

here's a fair page on scale ID and biologly. Another for other pest insects best of luck and kill all ants! they're major transporters for all these little bastards!

I wonder what's the adaptiveness to drier conditions? maybe somewhere like Southern california ? they seem like they might make a nice shade tree in one of the public parks

Well it's good to have confirmation regarding what a certain gnome was getting back then.... Too bad them days are over... [ 23. May 2005, 09:22: Message edited by: Flip ]

I think that the on screen detail is a good thing However, a fair amount of cropping of the images would be a good move. I see quite a bit that can be removed here....

Jack is right... it can make things more interesting for sure.