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Pygmies
Apr 9, 2015 16:28:32 GMT -5
Post by amanitovirosa on Apr 9, 2015 16:28:32 GMT -5
...here's a tip about washing sand that made my life a bit easier (I've washed close to 200 pounds of it in the past month and a half!). After you've washed it, DRY IT, then use it. I've gotten pretty good at this and I don't even lose a grain anymore. Go to Fabricland and buy some of that fine curtain material, works great! Cheers!
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Pygmies
Apr 9, 2015 19:52:47 GMT -5
Post by lloyd on Apr 9, 2015 19:52:47 GMT -5
All day, all night, washing sand, Sitting on the beach, washing sand.....
You should have a sand-washing service. Delivery costs are the big problem.
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Pygmies
Apr 9, 2015 20:13:38 GMT -5
Post by gerry on Apr 9, 2015 20:13:38 GMT -5
Perhaps he could go on tour and wash the sand! Could even sing a song, Enter sandman!!!
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Pygmies
Apr 10, 2015 7:51:57 GMT -5
H2O likes this
Post by hal on Apr 10, 2015 7:51:57 GMT -5
Did some searching last night and I found that Rona has kiln-dried, sifted sand. I'll check it out later today and may buy some if it looks decent.
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Pygmies
Apr 10, 2015 13:24:55 GMT -5
Post by lloyd on Apr 10, 2015 13:24:55 GMT -5
I still have a lot of the second batch of Greg's sand if you want any (the smaller grit one).
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Pygmies
Apr 10, 2015 22:37:00 GMT -5
Post by hal on Apr 10, 2015 22:37:00 GMT -5
Rona was a bust. Their website said they had 56 bags in stock. The staff did a Sergeant Schultz on me. Thanks lloyd, I just might ask you for some sand. PM or text me if you're up for a Lithops trade this weekend.
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Pygmies
Apr 11, 2015 0:03:35 GMT -5
Post by Devon on Apr 11, 2015 0:03:35 GMT -5
A while ago someone mentioned Merkley Supply and I have been getting my sand from there ever since. They usually have a variety of grit sizes. Gerry, if you get desperate for sand, I think Merkley is about an hour from your area. I would call to make sure they have it first. edit: I just read on their site that they deliver; I dunno how expensive it is though.
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Pygmies
Apr 11, 2015 9:32:09 GMT -5
Post by Apoplast on Apr 11, 2015 9:32:09 GMT -5
For the past two years, I've been overwintering my gemmae in 10 ml vials half full of water, in the fridge, without problem. They usually float on the surface. I did not check for 'germination' percentage once sowed in Spring but really few turned black. Salut Shogg - Fascinating! I love pygmy dews, but for some reason, I always struggle with them. One of the things I want to get better at with pygmies (besides their cultivation in general) is being able to share them. I've often given people gemmae in papertowels, and received them that way, but the root radicle often breaks as you stated, and the plant is lost. With my remaining pygmies, I think I might try some experiments storing their gemmae in Eppendorf tubes with a little water placed in the fridge. If I am successful, I'll be able to share the species I have better with others who are interested in them, and perhaps have a "seed bank" as backup. Merci pour la bonne idée!
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Pygmies
Apr 11, 2015 21:23:21 GMT -5
Post by lloyd on Apr 11, 2015 21:23:21 GMT -5
I've never had a problem with the paper towel but you might try germination paper for transport.
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Pygmies
Apr 12, 2015 0:24:42 GMT -5
Post by gerry on Apr 12, 2015 0:24:42 GMT -5
Dangit, they grew into the paper towel. i think i got most of them free by carefully tearing the paper apart. will let you guys know how they go. Do I try to bury the little roots? or just place the whole thing on top of the media?
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Pygmies
Apr 12, 2015 18:27:10 GMT -5
Post by lloyd on Apr 12, 2015 18:27:10 GMT -5
Gently place the gemmae flat. If the roots are sticking out, make a teeny hole with a toothpick or something for the root to fit into.
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Pygmies
Apr 12, 2015 18:39:11 GMT -5
Post by gerry on Apr 12, 2015 18:39:11 GMT -5
Thanks all, they've all been planted and they seem to be doing fine so far. I think i broke one root... put in in the soil anyways and hope for the best. One broken out of 6 is a miracle really, i have giant hands, and I'm as clumsy as drunken toddler lol (D.Citrina)
The Platystigma, had started to sprout, but the growths were so tiny i couldn't do anything but place them on the soil.
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Pygmies
Apr 12, 2015 18:44:08 GMT -5
Post by shoggoths on Apr 12, 2015 18:44:08 GMT -5
You're welcome Apoplast. That was the idea. My pygmies do not follow the usual time period for gemmae production. Sometime they show up in summer but usually it is in winter. If I wish to share them, I had to find a way to keep them until the temperature raise a bit. I forgot some in the fridge. Before I remember them, they were 1 year old and were all sending roots. I put them in my office terrarium and a lot made it!
Gerry, you can sprinkle a bit of media over the roots but otherwise, if you keep the above air with enough humidity, the roots will find their way to the media.
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Post by Apoplast on Apr 12, 2015 20:34:16 GMT -5
Salut Shogg - Un an! I think we need to get together and try a little experiment. We could store gemmae from different species for pre-set lengths of time then plant them and assess their success. I'll bet we could get a publication in the ICPS journal. Just say'n. Actually, you don't need me. You could totally do it on your own. I'd be happy to advice on experimental design or statistical analysis. I think it is something people would really be interested in. You should be known for your innovations.
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Pygmies
Apr 12, 2015 21:26:54 GMT -5
Post by lloyd on Apr 12, 2015 21:26:54 GMT -5
I've had some Drosera pygmeia for years, The little plants actually last for years. Sometimes if they look sad, I just gently tease the roots out and stick it somewhere else in the pot and they come back. Plus they seem to make gemmae just before they get too old and puny to live any longer. I was about to give up on my old pygmeias when I noted some gemmae-almost invisible to the naked eye. I took the plants out (almost dead anyway) and gently teased off the gemmae with a scalpel-they were too small for my fine forceps. On to the next generation!
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