What's a good information source?

[tony_lb]

I'd recently posted a picture of some parodia penicillata seedlings. Iann from Cheshire kindly pointed out that these are one of the core parodias and were trickier than many notocactus, with some hints about helping them survive.

My question is, how would I have found this out without Ian's contribution? I'd looked them up on the web before I sowed them and found nothing much at all. In fact, without paying lots to get some specialist books (or continually pestering here, which is less than ideal) what would be a useful source of info about the biology, propagation and care of various cactus varieties?

Tony

[CactusChris]

Hi Tony,
By far and away the best possible source is people. I do not know what branch you are registered with but that mey be the best place to find the right people. When you ask a question you will often get some history, locality details, difficulty of propagating and growing, personal experiences and even a measure of size after x years. Very few books will give you that.

Best regards

chris

[Vladimir]

I second Chris.

You are at the right place. YOu may join other forums - other languages possibly, or genus-specific forums like mammillarias.net - to get more.

For the biology book you may want to take a look at " Cacti: biology and uses" published in 2001. I got one for just $10 recently from Amazon. It gives no tips on cultivation and may make you read some general botany textbook, but interesting reading - if you are into that sort of thing. Lots of articles get published on cacti biology subject - 1000 or so a year. You will need a bunch of expencive subscriptions, most online, to see them all - or find them in local university.

[tony_lb]

Thanks for that Chris and Vladamir

Tony

[Apicra]

The reality is that only a small amount of the information available in book and journals (like our BCSS journal CactusWorld) is available via the Internet for free. The Internet is getting better each year, but will probably not catch up for decades.

Best wishes,
Derek Tribble,
Adromischus Displayed
http://www.dvtribble.demon.co.uk/

[iann]

I find most written sources are horribly vague about the specifics of cultivating different species. Probably because to be more precise would mean being flat wrong for some people! I can say what works for me, what I find difficult, and its all true

[Apicra]

Just a further thought, one really does not have to "pay lots to get some specialist books". There are libraries only to keen to loan books at nominal rates. Don't just think of public libraries, many BCSS Branches have good (under-used) libraries, and the four RHS gardens have libraries where anyone can browse (but you need to be a member to borrow, as I did today!).

Best wishes,
Derek Tribble

[Aloenut]

Hi All,

I feel that the best source of information at the moment is still a book; as Derek says, the internet is still way behind at the moment.

On Saturday at the Berkhamstead branch, Rodney Sims gave a very good talk which included some off the Aloes of the eastern part of SA. When I got home, I wanted to look up a few things which had been talked about. The first thing I did was have a look at Reynolds and then Van Wyk. There is no where on the internet that has the same depth of info yet on the genus.

There are of course some very good websites on other succulents and cacti, so all have their own place. And as has been mentioned above, a chat with someone knowledgable is invaluable too.

When I want to do some research, I first pick up a book and see if I can find the answer for myself. If not, then I go to the internet and of course discuss with people who may know the answer.


Aloenut

[Julie]

My info gathering always starts with google.

People and forums are great too.

If I had a nice big fat Uni library near me, I'd look in there as well.