Yes, I have used it to root various cacti, and also Bromeliad cuttings. I keep it very wet all the time, which seems to encourage speedy rooting.

Not sure if it's a myth or not Ian? In orchids at least, if you are using a fertlizer with a lot of urea then you are basically using a low N fertilizer, whatever it says on the packet, if there is no bacterial breakdown going on. Hence the poor growth unless you overfeed. I guess even a soiless com...

I dont think it is about utilization, so much as availablity. Plants need to take nitrogen up as a soluble form as Nitrate (if I remember correctly) ; however Urea is a cheap source of Nitrogen used in fertilizers. It works because the Urea is converted to Nitrate by soil bacteria, and then the plan...

One thing to bear in mind is that epiphytes generally grow in soil free environments so cant make use of Urea as a source of Nitrogen, as this needs to be converted to Nitrates by soil bacteria before it is available for uptake. Most fertilizers contain a significant amount of Nitrogen in the form o...

Hmm, well my Mammillopsis has the usual long winter rest, I stopped watering the cacti at the end of August as usual, despite the warm autumn weather, and I wont start again unitl the beginning of April...perhaps its just a case of genetic variation?

Thanks, they were sown in Jan 2008, and only had a few flowers the first time around (last year I think), but seem to like my 'normal' conditions (i.e. full sun and not much root room - all four are snuggled into a 3 1/4 inch pot)

Here are some taken yesterday: http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh319/alanbryan/IMGP04472.jpg Mammillopsis senilis This one suprised me as it is only in a 2.5" pot...sown in March 2009 http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh319/alanbryan/IMGP04562.jpg Mamm. sanchez-mejordae http://i259.photobuc...

I moved my collection twice about 3 years ago, when we moved to a rented house after selling our house, and before buying our current house. There was a 6 month interval between moves, and it went very well with no problems. However I didnt trust the removal men (after sound advice from this forum),...

I voted for thrips too, like ChrisR I have noticed an increase in numbers year on year. Certain plants seem very susceptible. I tend to limit spraying to those plants most badly affected, which isnt the best way as there is still a reserve population ready to move in and take over again. However I a...

Not one for my cold greenhouse then! My heated greenhouse runs at about 5C minimum, and is very dry in the winter, so I guess that will be warm enough...