Search found 251 matches
- Fri Sep 11, 2015 1:28 pm
- Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
- Topic: Evolution - not unrelated to cactaceae
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1129
Evolution - not unrelated to cactaceae
Because another topic has veered into this area it occurred to me that I recalled a New Scientist article some years ago which may be worth reading: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13620-evolution-24-myths-and-misconceptions there are various links to the sub-topics of which the two https://w...
- Fri Sep 11, 2015 12:45 pm
- Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
- Topic: Killer Cactus?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 8300
Re: Killer Cactus?
What I would suggest though, is that cacti won't have developed hooked spines for no reason. But, if you'll forgive me, the curved spines did develop for absolutely no reason - they arose either from some simple mutation in a gene (less likely a mutation in more than one gene at the same time) or f...
- Fri Sep 11, 2015 11:49 am
- Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
- Topic: Weird marks on gymnocalycium
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2947
Re: Weird marks on gymnocalycium
That does make it likely to be damage within the skin - so definitely something to keep an eye on whatever the original cause especially if the brown areas get any larger, if there is a fungal infection it is likely to grow.
fingers crossed...
graham
fingers crossed...
graham
- Thu Sep 10, 2015 10:35 pm
- Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
- Topic: Killer Cactus?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 8300
Re: Killer Cactus?
I entirely agree with Dave's points, and, as he has pointed out, points that were being made from the outset, it's just very sad that 'survival of the fittest' caught on so well, but I suppose that 'non-survival of some of the less fit' doesn't really have the same impact. It's also risky to make as...
- Thu Sep 10, 2015 9:45 pm
- Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
- Topic: Weird marks on gymnocalycium
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2947
Re: Weird marks on gymnocalycium
I would ask whether the 'marks' are actually on or in the skin ? The photos are fine but they don't really show whether this is some damage within the skin or something on and above the skin which would make it more likely to be an infection. Looking at the third photo I notice a rather round spot q...
- Thu Sep 03, 2015 12:28 am
- Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
- Topic: hosepipe, watering can or underwatering?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 7900
Re: hosepipe, watering can or underwatering?
Personally I prefer to always water from above and allow the water to drain away. The only exceptions are the occasions when I feel the soil needs a good soak - if there is a problem with non water-retentive mixes it is that the water does tend to run through quite rapidly when the soil is very dry ...
- Mon Aug 31, 2015 11:57 am
- Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
- Topic: advice re sciarid flies on lithops seedlings
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2871
Re: advice re sciarid flies on lithops seedlings
... the treatment with Bacillius thuringiensis, because this works only in humid conditions. This isn't really true. I will accept that you have to water the soil to add the bacillus so that certainly does mean getting it wet but that need only be as a part of normal watering, that is there is no n...
- Sat Aug 29, 2015 12:06 pm
- Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
- Topic: watering in wet weather- your thoughts
- Replies: 10
- Views: 3361
Re: watering in wet weather- your thoughts
Interesting notes about CAM in mesembs, Ian. Do you have a reference I could persue? As Ian hasn't replied, may I suggest just having a web search for "facultative CAM" and you will find plenty of references. The first link in my previous post "Drought-stress-induced up-regulation of...
- Mon Aug 24, 2015 8:39 pm
- Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
- Topic: advice re sciarid flies on lithops seedlings
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2871
Re: advice re sciarid flies on lithops seedlings
There are some specific sciarid fly killers just search online and you'll find a few. Personally I've used 'Gnat Off' and found that it works pretty well. 'Gnat Off' contains Bacillius thuringiensis (Bt) and it is this that kills the larvae, indeed I believe that all of the specific sciarid fly trea...
- Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:54 pm
- Forum: The Cactus & Succulent Plant Forum
- Topic: Massonia wittebergensis / Drimia elata summer dormancy?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 3885
Re: Massonia wittebergensis / Drimia elata summer dormancy?
Ah...I had forgotten about this...all of my four are up although one is a month later than the others for no reason that I can see, in fact they are potted two to a pot so the late one had exactly the same treatment as its partner in the pot (well within reason). They are with some other summer grow...