Documenting Research Into Growing, Sustainability, Urban Gardening, Composting, Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Self-Sufficiency, Eco-buildings....etc...
Saturday, 9 November 2013
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Thursday, 10 October 2013
Star Astrophytum Poland
http://www.starastrophytum.com/I-EN.html?lang=en&page=I
also:
http://cactus-heaven.com/plants.phtml
http://www.magicactus.com/lw_caespitosa.html
also:
http://cactus-heaven.com/plants.phtml
http://www.magicactus.com/lw_caespitosa.html
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Todays grafts
x3 Astrophytum hybrids onto Opuntia
x1 Astrophytum hybrid onto Pereskiopsis
x4 Mooncactus onto Opuntia
x4 Mooncactus onto Opuntia
Monday, 7 October 2013
First Astrophytum Seedlings Grafted onto Pereskiopsis Root Stock
x2 Astrophytum seedlings grafted onto Pereskiopsis Root Stock. Left in humid environment for 1 week. Should be opened 14/10/13
Sunday, 6 October 2013
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Friday, 27 September 2013
Friday, 20 September 2013
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Friday, 13 September 2013
Seed Order
Ariocarpus trigonus elongatus seeds
- Package Size 100 Seeds
- Astrophytum asterias Snow Supar seeds
- Package Size 20 Seeds
- Astrophytum asterias Superkabuto seeds
- Package Size 20 Seeds
- Astrophytum asterias Zebra Supar seeds
- Package Size 20 Seeds
- Aztekium ritteri seeds
- Package Size 100 Seeds
- Carnegiea gigantea (Saguaro) seeds
- Package Size 100 Seeds
- Copiapoa hypogea seeds
- Package Size 100 Seeds
- Echinofossulocactus multicostatus seeds
- Package Size 20 Seeds
- Epithelantha rufispina seeds
- Package Size 100 Seeds
- Lophophora mixed seeds
- Package Size 100 Seeds
- Lophophora williamsii seeds
- Package Size 100 Seeds
- Lophophora williamsii Paila seeds
- Package Size 20 Seeds
- Myrtillocactus geometrizans seeds
- Package Size 1.000 Seeds
- Pachycereus pringlei seeds
- Package Size 1.000 Seeds
- Pereskia aculeata seeds
- Package Size 10 Seeds
- Selenicereus grandiflorus seeds
- Package Size 100 Seeds
- Tephrocactus molinensis seeds
- Package Size 100 Seeds
- Trichocereus bridgesii (Achuma cactus) seeds
- Package Size 100 Seeds
- Trichocereus pachanoi seeds
- Package Size 1.000 Seeds
- Trichocereus peruvianus (Peruvian Torch Cactus) seeds
- Package Size 1.000 Seeds
Sunday, 8 September 2013
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Grafts 16/08/13
Areole Graft: Organ Pipe Seedling onto Myrtillocactus
Areole Graft: T.Pachanoi onto Cylindropuntia Subulata
Thursday, 15 August 2013
Grafting Update
14/08/13 Grafted a T.Pachanoi Pup onto Myrtillocactus Geometrizans
Cactus Seedlings Update
Pachycereus Pringlei Planted: 06/06/13 Also Known as The Cardon Cactus (In the wild this cactus has been known to reach heights up to a record 70ft!)) |
Echinocactus Grusonnii (Barrel Cactus) Planted: 06/06/13 |
Marshallocereus Thurberii (Organ Pipe Cactus) Planted: 16/06/13 |
Trichocereus Pachanoi (San Pedro Cactus) Planted: 06/06/13 Some of the seedlings have been beheaded and grafted onto opuntia rootstock on: 04/08/13. |
Monday, 5 August 2013
Update from the Cactus Garden
04/08/13
Grafted 12 small cactus tips onto opuntia rootstock.
x3 Pachycereus Pringlei (Cardon) seedlings (planted 04/06/13)
x3 Pup tips salvaged from Dom's Pachanoi cuttings
x5 Trichocereus Pachanoi Seedlings (planted 04/06/13)
x1 Marshallocereus Thurberii Seedling Tip (Organ Pipe Cactus) (Planted 16/06/13)
03/08/13
Mixed and administered 6-BAP and Lanolin mixture to various cactus's. Signs of new growth should appear in 1-6 weeks.
Grafted 12 small cactus tips onto opuntia rootstock.
x3 Pachycereus Pringlei (Cardon) seedlings (planted 04/06/13)
x3 Pup tips salvaged from Dom's Pachanoi cuttings
x5 Trichocereus Pachanoi Seedlings (planted 04/06/13)
x1 Marshallocereus Thurberii Seedling Tip (Organ Pipe Cactus) (Planted 16/06/13)
03/08/13
Mixed and administered 6-BAP and Lanolin mixture to various cactus's. Signs of new growth should appear in 1-6 weeks.
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Monday, 24 June 2013
Cacti branching using 6-Benzylaminopurine Hormone 6-BAP
"The BAP is a very interesting hormone. This is just a simple set of instructions on how to induce branching in cacti:
First:
Mix 2% BAP Powder to 98% Lanolin over a gentle heat to form a gel.
To mix the two, measure your amounts out and first put the lanolin into a thin glass cup held at an angle, then sprinkle the appropriate amount of BAP onto the lanolin and swirl with a toothpick (to mix it well). Then take a lighter and hold the flame to the glass under the gel in a 'back and forth' type of motion, you want to warm it so it mixes up better but not cook it or melt it. I would describe it as *gently* heating.
After that, just dip a toothpick/thumbtack into the gel and scratch it into an areole in a visible amount and expect a branch within 1-6 weeks. Quickest results will be obtained when applying the BAP to new, soft growth as opposed to old corky growth."
quoted from:
http://cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14243
This is a very exciting bit of information.
First:
Mix 2% BAP Powder to 98% Lanolin over a gentle heat to form a gel.
To mix the two, measure your amounts out and first put the lanolin into a thin glass cup held at an angle, then sprinkle the appropriate amount of BAP onto the lanolin and swirl with a toothpick (to mix it well). Then take a lighter and hold the flame to the glass under the gel in a 'back and forth' type of motion, you want to warm it so it mixes up better but not cook it or melt it. I would describe it as *gently* heating.
After that, just dip a toothpick/thumbtack into the gel and scratch it into an areole in a visible amount and expect a branch within 1-6 weeks. Quickest results will be obtained when applying the BAP to new, soft growth as opposed to old corky growth."
quoted from:
http://cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14243
This is a very exciting bit of information.
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Conditions For Growth
Ive set up this blog to document my thoughts, research and experiments. It has occurred to me in recent months that many of the ideas concerning how ide like to live are, just that, ideas, seeds without the right conditions to grow. Furthermore, they are subject to that which isn’t real, the future. My aim is to integrate them into daily life. Metaphorically and quite literally, it all starts with the seed. That just leaves me with the question: what conditions do they need to grow…
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Growing Update
Seeds Sown:
x1 tray Hylocereus seeds
x32 Marshallocereus Thurberii seeds (Organ Pipe Cactus)
x60 T. Peruvianus seeds
Grafting:
x2 pups on opuntia root stock
x1 tray Hylocereus seeds
x32 Marshallocereus Thurberii seeds (Organ Pipe Cactus)
x60 T. Peruvianus seeds
Grafting:
x2 pups on opuntia root stock
Saturday, 15 June 2013
Rooting Stock
Myrtillocactus geometrizans
Trichocereus pachanoi
Hylocereus undatus
Pereskiopsis porteri (spathulata)
Selenicereus grandiflorus
seeds all available from cactus plaza
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Sunday, 9 June 2013
Friday, 7 June 2013
Pachycereus Prengli (Cardon)
The first of my seedlings is out after only 3 days!
The tallest cactus in the world...
The tallest cactus in the world...
Entheogens
Interesting articles:
http://csp.org/practices/entheogens/entheogens.html
Survey of Hallucinogenic Cactus Species:
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biodiversity/floweringplants/extras/cactaceae%20hallucinogenics.htm
http://csp.org/practices/entheogens/entheogens.html
Survey of Hallucinogenic Cactus Species:
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biodiversity/floweringplants/extras/cactaceae%20hallucinogenics.htm
Thursday, 6 June 2013
Planting Update
19:00 today
4 cactus pups grafted onto prickly pear stock. Selotape can be removed in a weeks time (13/0613)
05/06/13 Trichocereus Pachanoi cuttings planted
04/06/13 Seeds Sown
180 T. Pachanoi
10 Echinocatus Grusonnii (Barrel Cactus)
10 Pachycereus Prengli (Cardon)
4 cactus pups grafted onto prickly pear stock. Selotape can be removed in a weeks time (13/0613)
05/06/13 Trichocereus Pachanoi cuttings planted
04/06/13 Seeds Sown
180 T. Pachanoi
10 Echinocatus Grusonnii (Barrel Cactus)
10 Pachycereus Prengli (Cardon)
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Saturday, 25 May 2013
Mylar
Mylar is the brand name for a
special type of stretched polyester film. Melinex and Hostaphan are two other
well known trade names for this plastic, which is more generally known as BoPET
or biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate.
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
LED Grow lights
useful article:
http://www.myhydroponicgardening.com/2013-best-led-grow-light-review/
SUPPLIERS:
http://www.ledhydroponics.co.uk/OnlineShop.aspx
http://www.hydrogrowled.com/%2F84X-PRO-120W-LED-Grow-Light-P84.aspx
http://www.truliteled.com/shop/
http://ledlight.osram-os.com/applications/horticultural-led-lighting/
http://growblu.com/
http://www.growlightuk.com/
http://www.dormgrow.com/
http://www.advancedledlights.com/
http://www.lumigrow.com/products/es-330-led-grow-light/
http://www.lightrabbit.co.uk/grow-lights-led.html
reviews:
http://www.theweedblog.com/led-cannabis-grow-light-review/
notes:
HID (high-intensity discharge) systems, like HPS and MH, were the clear favorites among the growers
stealth led grow light?
http://www.myhydroponicgardening.com/2013-best-led-grow-light-review/
SUPPLIERS:
http://www.ledhydroponics.co.uk/OnlineShop.aspx
http://www.hydrogrowled.com/%2F84X-PRO-120W-LED-Grow-Light-P84.aspx
http://www.truliteled.com/shop/
http://ledlight.osram-os.com/applications/horticultural-led-lighting/
http://growblu.com/
http://www.growlightuk.com/
http://www.dormgrow.com/
http://www.advancedledlights.com/
http://www.lumigrow.com/products/es-330-led-grow-light/
http://www.lightrabbit.co.uk/grow-lights-led.html
reviews:
http://www.theweedblog.com/led-cannabis-grow-light-review/
notes:
HID (high-intensity discharge) systems, like HPS and MH, were the clear favorites among the growers
stealth led grow light?
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Poly-Embryonic Mango
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Conditions For Growth
Ive set up this blog to document my thoughts, research and experiments. It has occurred to me in recent months that many of the ideas concerning how ide like to live are, just that, ideas, seeds without the right conditions to grow. Furthermore, they are subject to that which isn’t real, the future. My aim is to integrate them into daily life. Metaphorically and quite literally, it all starts with the seed. That just leaves me with the question: what conditions do they need to grow…
Peas (Pisum sativum) Update
Edible leaves
Useful list of edible leaves:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_plants_with_edible_leaves
The acacia shoots (Acacia pennata) are something I recognise from China. Would be good to give these a go:
Notes:
Acacia victoriae is currently the most important wattle used in the Australian bushfood industry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_plants_with_edible_leaves
The acacia shoots (Acacia pennata) are something I recognise from China. Would be good to give these a go:
Acacia pennata (English: Climbing wattle, Thai: ชะà¸à¸¡ Cha-om, Burmese Su pout ywet) is a species of acacia which is native to South and Southeast Asia. |
Fresh Shoots |
Acacia victoriae is currently the most important wattle used in the Australian bushfood industry.
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Today's Planting
germinating:
Okra Seeds (Fresh)
Red Pepper Seeds (Fresh)
x1 Mango embryo (yellow variety is often poly-embryonic so i hope for more than one tree from this seed) Need to work out type of mango:http://forum.xcitefun.net/types-of-mango-king-of-fruit-t63658.html
Planting:
The following were germinated in shallow water covered with damp tissue for 2 days prior to planting.
x2 trays of cow pea (nutritional facts: http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-cowpeas-leafy-tips-i11780)
x1 tray mung bean
x1 tray chick pea
Monday, 18 March 2013
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Bokashi Experiment
I like whats going on here:
http://bokashiworld.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/vins-bokashi-experiment-in-florida-perfectly-simple/
Obviously a nicer looking container could be used.
http://bokashiworld.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/vins-bokashi-experiment-in-florida-perfectly-simple/
Obviously a nicer looking container could be used.
Saturday, 16 March 2013
EM (Effective Microorganisms)
Interesting Essay:
http://www.livingsoil.co.uk/learning/soilsustain.htm
EM Products at Living Soil:
http://www.livingsoil.co.uk/products/EM_kyusei_supplies.html
http://www.livingsoil.co.uk/learning/soilsustain.htm
EM Products at Living Soil:
http://www.livingsoil.co.uk/products/EM_kyusei_supplies.html
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Eco Build at ExCel - HP LED
Just seen some amazing industrial LED lights. For the equivalent of 42 Watts, the output was insane. Perfect for growing. Need to do more research on these guys:
HOLD PIPE LED
HOLD PIPE LED
Monday, 4 March 2013
Bokashi Bins
Useful info:
Bokashi Composting HQ:
http://www.bokashicompostinghq.com/
Bokashi World:
http://bokashiworld.wordpress.com/
Some Suppliers:
GrowingLife:
http://www.growing-life.com/cgi-bin/sh000002.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2egrowing%2dlife%2ecom%2f&WD=bokashi&PN=Home_Composting_Bokashi_%2ehtml%23a644#a644
Wiggly Wigglers:
http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/composting/bokashi.html
Green Gardener:
http://www.greengardener.co.uk/product.asp?id_pc=19&cat=31
Bokashi Direct:
Bokashi Composting HQ:
http://www.bokashicompostinghq.com/
Bokashi World:
http://bokashiworld.wordpress.com/
Some Suppliers:
GrowingLife:
http://www.growing-life.com/cgi-bin/sh000002.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2egrowing%2dlife%2ecom%2f&WD=bokashi&PN=Home_Composting_Bokashi_%2ehtml%23a644#a644
Wiggly Wigglers:
http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/composting/bokashi.html
Green Gardener:
http://www.greengardener.co.uk/product.asp?id_pc=19&cat=31
Bokashi Direct:
Original Organics:
http://www.originalorganics.co.uk/bokashi.htm
Equipment to make my own:
Solent Plastics:
http://solentplastics.co.uk/industrial-business-storage-boxes/
Preparing Wisely:
http://preparingwisely.com/buckets_and_lids
APM:
http://www.apm-supplies.co.uk/airtight-bucket-p-2555.html
Plastor:
http://www.plastor.co.uk/category/catalog/food-handling-containers/re-sealable-food-grade-buckets
1 Liter = 0.219969248 Gallon [UK]
Equipment to make my own:
Solent Plastics:
http://solentplastics.co.uk/industrial-business-storage-boxes/
Preparing Wisely:
http://preparingwisely.com/buckets_and_lids
APM:
http://www.apm-supplies.co.uk/airtight-bucket-p-2555.html
Plastor:
http://www.plastor.co.uk/category/catalog/food-handling-containers/re-sealable-food-grade-buckets
1 Liter = 0.219969248 Gallon [UK]
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Sprouting
At the moment, Im experimenting with sprouting different seeds and pulses.
I bought them from an Indian Supermarket on Brick Lane. Super cheap when you consider how much space they take up once they've sprouted. In the containers I have a mix of:
Whole Green Peas
Whole Yellow Peas
Chick Peas
Cow Peas - Vigna unguiculata
Moth Beans
Mung Beans
Mung Dal Yellow
Green Lentils
Peanut Kernels
Process started evening 01/03/13. Above photo today. |
When visiting Yunnan, China, towards the end of 2012, I was struck by the wide variety of greens available with their dishes. Many types of climbers/ bean plants etc...Over here we grow bean plants for the beans, but if we were growing them for the stalk and leaves, they could be harvested regularly, while they are still young and there could be a rotation system to keep me supplied with regular greenery. They tasted amazing... Need to be careful though, because some are TOXIC! Useful info here:
legumes:
Really useful:
"Unfortunately leaves often contain toxic substances. The chief toxins are hydrocyanic glycosides, oxalic acid and alkaloids. The toxic as well as the edible properties of leaves are already fairly well known, and no harm should result if the species is known and leaves are eaten in moderate quantities. Interestingly enough, the oxalic acid content of spinach makes it one of the least desirable of the edible leaves."
chick peas:
"Overall, chickpea leaves were found to be a good source of several minerals required by humans, and for most minerals, their levels significantly exceeded those previously reported for spinach and cabbage."
Conditions for Growth
Ive set up this blog to document my thoughts, research and experiments. It has occurred to me in recent months that many of the ideas concerning how ide like to live are, just that, ideas, seeds without the right conditions to grow. Furthermore, they are subject to that which isn’t real, the future. My aim is to integrate them into daily life. Metaphorically and quite literally, it all starts with the seed. That just leaves me with the question: what conditions do they need to grow…
General Links:
Nutrients/Vitamin/Minerals:
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