Hardy Cacti
Moderator: needmore
- ocimum_nate
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RE: Hardy Cacti
This is the Joshua Tree from the Northern Mojave desert. I have seen them grow reliably in zone 5 here in Utah. The main thing is drainage. The ones that are seen in California are a different subspecies.
- foxd
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RE: Hardy Cacti
When I got home this morning I discovered a Echinocereus triglochidiatus had sprouted.
Southern Indiana.
My Bamboo List.
The legal issues that will arise when the undead walk the earth are legion, and addressing them all is well beyond what could reasonably be accomplished in this brief Essay. Indeed, a complete treatment of the tax issues alone would require several volumes.
My Bamboo List.
The legal issues that will arise when the undead walk the earth are legion, and addressing them all is well beyond what could reasonably be accomplished in this brief Essay. Indeed, a complete treatment of the tax issues alone would require several volumes.
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- Location: Wisconsin, USA zone 4b;
1951: -37*F;
1996: -29*F;
2005: -10*F;
2006: -17*F;
2007: -17*F.
RE: Hardy Cacti
Foxd, I've got some Echinocerus coming up too.
And here's Joshua Tree:
Nate, you mentioned storing these seeds in the freezer. Can you give more details about this? Do you wrap the seeds in plastic, a jar, or what? Thanks. Just about all the seeds you sent are germinating.
And here's Joshua Tree:
Nate, you mentioned storing these seeds in the freezer. Can you give more details about this? Do you wrap the seeds in plastic, a jar, or what? Thanks. Just about all the seeds you sent are germinating.
--Mike
- ocimum_nate
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RE: Hardy Cacti
Thanks for sharing the pictures.
As for the freezing technique I let the seeds dry completely (easily accomplished here in Utah) and put them in envelopes like the ones that I sent you. After that I put them in group ziplocks and then they go into some rubbermaid canisters in my freezer. When I was going to college to get my horticulture degree I decided to look at the university library for books on seeds. I found a really good one which said something as a general rule the life of dry seed can be doubled if the sum of the temperature in F and the humidity is less than 100 and the lower the number the better your prospects. Well my freezer is less than 15 F and my humidity is usually quite low here so the seeds have really benefited. The Joshua tree seeds I sent you were at least 8 years old. I don't like to tell people how old the seeds are that I am trading because they are likely to think I am sending bad seeds. I put some moso seeds in my freezer last year after I received them in October. I just started some a little over a month ago and had 3 come up. Which was about the same percentage as what I had last year. The one thing that I haven't had any luck with is papaya but I haven't tested the seeds for germination before I froze them to see if they were viable before freezing. I have only been able to germinate fresh still moist papaya seeds so I think that may have something to do with it.
As for the freezing technique I let the seeds dry completely (easily accomplished here in Utah) and put them in envelopes like the ones that I sent you. After that I put them in group ziplocks and then they go into some rubbermaid canisters in my freezer. When I was going to college to get my horticulture degree I decided to look at the university library for books on seeds. I found a really good one which said something as a general rule the life of dry seed can be doubled if the sum of the temperature in F and the humidity is less than 100 and the lower the number the better your prospects. Well my freezer is less than 15 F and my humidity is usually quite low here so the seeds have really benefited. The Joshua tree seeds I sent you were at least 8 years old. I don't like to tell people how old the seeds are that I am trading because they are likely to think I am sending bad seeds. I put some moso seeds in my freezer last year after I received them in October. I just started some a little over a month ago and had 3 come up. Which was about the same percentage as what I had last year. The one thing that I haven't had any luck with is papaya but I haven't tested the seeds for germination before I froze them to see if they were viable before freezing. I have only been able to germinate fresh still moist papaya seeds so I think that may have something to do with it.
- CadyG
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Zone 6b
Like Kyuzo (pictured above) in "The Seven Samurai," I've "...Killed (more than) two..." bamboos.
RE: Hardy Cacti
Nate,
My guess is that papaya, as tropical plants, would not be "programmed" for their seeds to require freezing as a prerequisite to germination, nor even to tolerate being frozen. Consider that the seeds of temperate and boreal species must be able to withstand freezing -- and some actually require it for germination. But why would tropicals have that tolerance or need?
My guess is that papaya, as tropical plants, would not be "programmed" for their seeds to require freezing as a prerequisite to germination, nor even to tolerate being frozen. Consider that the seeds of temperate and boreal species must be able to withstand freezing -- and some actually require it for germination. But why would tropicals have that tolerance or need?
Cady G.
"Killed two..." -- Seiji Miyaguchi/Kyuzo
"Killed two..." -- Seiji Miyaguchi/Kyuzo
- Roy
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Re: RE: Hardy Cacti
Excellent point. Waiting for a good answer to that one.cadyg wrote:Nate,
My guess is that papaya, as tropical plants, would not be "programmed" for their seeds to require freezing as a prerequisite to germination, nor even to tolerate being frozen. Consider that the seeds of temperate and boreal species must be able to withstand freezing -- and some actually require it for germination. But why would tropicals have that tolerance or need?
--------------------------
Roy Rogers
Southern Tampania de la Floridana Universidad (STFU)
STFU Motto: All Bamboos are not Created Equal; @ STFU, the Search Continues
**********
ROY'S BAMBOO LIST
Roy Rogers
Southern Tampania de la Floridana Universidad (STFU)
STFU Motto: All Bamboos are not Created Equal; @ STFU, the Search Continues
**********
ROY'S BAMBOO LIST
- ocimum_nate
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RE: Hardy Cacti
There are a lot of tropical seeds (peppers, tomato, basil, epiphitic cacti ) that can withstand freezing. The point is related to water content in the seeds. If the seed can get to a low enough water content then freezing does not affect it. To much moisture then the water can crystalize and rupture the cells in the seed. My point was that there are many seeds which the life can be extended through freezing, but not all. And that it was a preservation methond not a requirement. Sorry I didn't adequately state my point. I hope that clarifies it a bit.
- CadyG
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Zone 6b
Like Kyuzo (pictured above) in "The Seven Samurai," I've "...Killed (more than) two..." bamboos.
RE: Hardy Cacti
Got it. I wasn't certain whether you were implying that freezing/cold was needed for germination. I agree that freezing has its use in preserving seed, depending on water content of the seed.
Cady G.
"Killed two..." -- Seiji Miyaguchi/Kyuzo
"Killed two..." -- Seiji Miyaguchi/Kyuzo
- ocimum_nate
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RE: Hardy Cacti
In addition it appears that at least some bamboo can be stored this way. Next year I will grow some heteroclada and see how well it has kept. I am guessing that some of the tropical species may have too high of a water content to preserve them this way but it doesn't seem to have affected the moso.
- ocimum_nate
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RE: Hardy Cacti
Foxd- I had to transplant the canna today growing quite vigorously
Thuja- Fern spores are growing well - no sign of growth on the Sea Oats yet. Any idea on how long they should take to germinate?
Thanks everyone for the trades.
Thuja- Fern spores are growing well - no sign of growth on the Sea Oats yet. Any idea on how long they should take to germinate?
Thanks everyone for the trades.
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RE: Hardy Cacti
I should have probably read this thread before i threw out the joshua tree one.... It appears that I am a little behind on my sowing....
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1951: -37*F;
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2005: -10*F;
2006: -17*F;
2007: -17*F.
Re: RE: Hardy Cacti
It appears that all my cacti made it thru the winter! Now it will be interesting to see if anything grows bigger.
--Mike
- Jeff: Igor's Apprentice
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RE: Hardy Cacti
ALL of them? Are you kidding me?!!?!?!?!?!!!It appears that all my cacti made it thru the winter! Now it will be interesting to see if anything grows bigger.
Would love to see a complete list...
And how exactly did you protect them?
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- Location: Wisconsin, USA zone 4b;
1951: -37*F;
1996: -29*F;
2005: -10*F;
2006: -17*F;
2007: -17*F.
RE: Hardy Cacti
One plant looks questionable right now but the rest look fine so far. Here's a pic of most of them. You might be able to make out the names.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/ ... _9LQ-1.jpg" border="0" alt="1-yr cacti in spring">
I'll post the names too later on. I didn't protect the plants at all. I planted them last spring in a pile of pea gravel.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/ ... _9LQ-1.jpg" border="0" alt="1-yr cacti in spring">
I'll post the names too later on. I didn't protect the plants at all. I planted them last spring in a pile of pea gravel.
--Mike
- Jeff: Igor's Apprentice
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RE: Hardy Cacti
Thuja, how do you feel about "rescue plants"?
I've got some rough looking agaves that have gone too long without a permanent home....
I'm starting to feel like its time to sit
(uate)
or turn loose of the pot....
I've got some rough looking agaves that have gone too long without a permanent home....
I'm starting to feel like its time to sit
(uate)
or turn loose of the pot....