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They do this occasionally, though I’ve no idea why it happens either. But it’s a nice surprise.A little bit of Christmas in July...I have no idea why my Christmas (really, a Thanksgiving) cactus grew a flower bud, but I am waiting for it to open!![]()


I figured I'd only need it a month or so. But it's kind of pointless lol I'd need to setup a controlled environment with lighting, timers on a controlled schedule to trigger flowering etc...Might try freezing pollen to use later - it works to preserve viability.
Seems the consensus is that drying it first is a good idea - can be stored with a dessicant to keep it dry and avoid condensation damage when thawing.
Definitely no gene splicing lol But I'm just doing what the ancestors have done. There are so many different varieties of potatoes adapted to so many regions. The few cultivars we actually get just contain strong genes for certain adaptations. The purple is actually a cold tolerance gene. Some of my tubers from the second year that had sat over winter actually displayed a reddish purple which I'm pretty sure was just a natural trigger that created a few small tubers when the conditions were right.Did a little harvesting and canning this weekend but nothing genetically modified.
Various plant foods made some astonishing journeys long before we were as mobile between continents as we are now, or were even a millennia or so ago.Definitely no gene splicing lol But I'm just doing what the ancestors have done. There are so many different varieties of potatoes adapted to so many regions. The few cultivars we actually get just contain strong genes for certain adaptations. The purple is actually a cold tolerance gene. Some of my tubers from the second year that had sat over winter actually displayed a reddish purple which I'm pretty sure was just a natural trigger that created a few small tubers when the conditions were right.
My GMO's are Genetically Maintained OriginalsI actually know the source, when the split occurred etc.... Archaeology is just starting to catch up on trade networks prior to Russian exploration and trade. The genetics of these potatoes actually showed the truth a few years ago lol 700 and some odd years since they left Central America for the PNW and Alaska panhandle probably carried on a long boat on the way back from a trade trip.
There's bamboo in the Americas where the only relative is in Asia and the Nahuatl word for it is the same as the tribal Asian word...Various plant foods made some astonishing journeys long before we were as mobile between continents as we are now, or were even a millennia or so ago.
If only they could tell stories.
Bromeliads are an epiphyte so technically don't need to be planted at all. You water them from the top into their center. If you position/treat them like a normal plant, they'll most likely die eventually.I recently picked up this bromeliad. I am not familiar with how to take care of them, so if anyone has any tips, I would be greatful. I don't think it is in the right kind of potting soil (I don't really see the wood bark that is commonly recommended).
I got one a long time ago as a gift, and looked on the internet for advice. I did what the web site said to do, and of course, it was all wrong, and the plant died. I want to keep this one alive, lol!
Actually, there are a lot of terrestrial bromeliads - think pineapples, Cryptanthus, (Earth stars), Guzmania, Neoregelia, & Dyckia among others. There are even a few terrestrial Tillandsias. They sure aren’t all epiphytic.Bromeliads are an epiphyte so technically don't need to be planted at all. You water them from the top into their center. If you position/treat them like a normal plant, they'll most likely die eventually.
You could plant them in a core/bark mix or similar but not in soil. Not deep though.
They like plenty of light too.





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I’m into aroids too - have a number of different vines but not the ones that grow really large leaves - no space for those, more’s the pity.So I’m really into my aroids.. I currently have 7 monsteras but anthuriums have my heart. I have a very special hybrid which I cherish. Can’t wait for spring though
What “vines” do you have ? I’d love to see photosI’m into aroids too - have a number of different vines but not the ones that grow really large leaves - no space for those, more’s the pity.
Couple of Syngoniums, Cebu Blue, a textured philodendron whose name escapes me, a few others, mostly starters as I’m rebuilding my collection. I’ll get some pics tomorrow.What “vines” do you have ? I’d love to see photos



















Very nice. Has it got a name?Managed to get my hands on this beauty of a begonia
Yes sorry. It’s a dolce vita. Meant to add that in !Very nice. Has it got a name?







Seems I won’t be seeing more than these little balls on my fig since I learned that figs are very strange when it comes to their flowers. The flowers are microscopic because they are inside these very tiny wannabe figs!To see this little tree sporting a bunch of fat round buds was such a nice surprise. The new light has only been over the terrarium for maybe 3 weeks. It haven’t even been feeding these plants, just watering.

