worm tea

http://working-worms.com/worm-tea/

http://www.sierra-worm-compost.com/worm-tea.html

http://www.gardeningwithmicrobes.com/teaarticle.shtml

seed treatment

http://www.growseed.org/seedtreatments.html


For general use, seeds are soaked in 2.7% sodium hypochlorite (half-strength standard household bleach) for 30 min. (60 min. for S. cheesmaniae, S. galapagense, S. ochranthum, and S. juglandifolium). After bleaching, seed should be rinsed thoroughly, then sown directly (i.e. without allowing to dry) in germination boxes or in soil.
http://tgrc.ucdavis.edu/seed_germ.aspx

you can speed up the sprouting process and protect your seedlings from mildews and molds with simple hydrogen peroxide.

For wet sprouting (when using a flat surface and wet paper towel or other cloth) simply spray the outer surface of the damp material enclosing the seeds with a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution once a day after remoistening the sprouting seeds.

If you're using seed starter peat pots or other soil-based sprouting media, add 1/4 volume of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to the water before watering the sprouts.

Using hydrogen peroxide in the watering and sprouting material will eliminate fuzzy molds and bacteria which often attack sprouting seeds. It will also speed up the sprouting process sometimes by as much as half.

http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/give-sprouting-seeds-a-head-start-with-hydrogen-peroxide-131216.html

There are many disinfectants that can be used Sodium hypochlorite (1-5%) or 10% Calcium hypochlorite. mercuric chloride 1% is also
useful. 
http://www.researchgate.net/post/How_can_one_sterilize_seed_without_killing_them

http://forum.grasscity.com/advanced-growing-techniques/707074-using-hydrogen-peroxide-treat-prevent-root-rot.html

Mixing charts for gardening with hydrogen peroxide

If you want to start gardening with hydrogen peroxide, you need to know how much peroxide to use. Here are charts to tell you how much!

To water or mist plants, to soak seeds, to add to water used to wash sprouts:

TO THIS AMOUNT OF WATER	ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE	--OR-- ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 35% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
1 cup	1 and 1/2 teaspoons	7 to 10 drops
1 quart	2 tablespoons	1/2 teaspoon
1 gallon	1/2 cup	2 teaspoons
5 gallons	2 and 1/2 cups	3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon
10 gallons	5 cups	6 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons
20 gallons	10 cups	3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon
bathtub (aprox 25 to 35 gallons) *	12 to 17 cups	1 to 1.5 cups

* bathtub sizes vary. It is okay to use more water and/or less peroxide.

To spray on sick or fungusy plants:

TO THIS AMOUNT OF WATER	ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE	--OR-- ADD THIS AMOUNT OF 35% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
1 cup	1 tablespoon	1/4 teaspoon
1 pint	2 tablespoons	1/2 teaspoon
1 quart	1/4 cup	1 teaspoon
1 gallon	1 cup	1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon
5 gallons	5 cups	6 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons
10 gallons	10 cups	3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoons
20 gallons	20 cups	1 and 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons

Please be mindful to choose the correct column in the chart depending on whether you are using 3% hydrogen peroxide or 35% hydrogen peroxide!!

http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/gardening-with-hydrogen-peroxide.html

T.Pachanoi/Peruvianus

http://sanpedrocactuses.blogspot.co.uk

Tufa Recipes

Limestone:
S 1 part
C 1 part
P/B 1 part

Sandstone:
S 5 parts
C 2 parts
P/B 3 parts

Tufa:
S 1 part
C 1 part
P/B 2 parts

Euphorbia's

http://www.dbg.org/system/files/49/original/Euphorbias%20in%20Containers.pdf?1279065247

Soil Mix

Seedlings: The growing medium used is John Innes number 2 potting compost (40%), washed river sand (20%), fine granite chippings (20%) and Perlite (20%)

1part standard poting soil
2parts of pumice. Pumice (volcanic rock)that is porous. Substitutes include pearlite, non-soluble cat litter, aquatic plant soil or Turface, NAPA oil dry #8822

perhaps 60% pummice/grit/litter to 40% potting soil. 
use 1 bucket (or 1 part) of coir in my mix....

for epi:
1part standard poting soil
1parts of pumice
2parts coarse "orchid bark". This is ground up redwood bark pieces that are marketed for use by orchid growers

Info From KADAS GARDEN:

Mineral Mixes

These mixes are intended for good drainage, and fast drying times. This is useful for species that are from dry areas, have large taproots, and are slow growing. Some examples: Ariocarpus, Astrophytum, Aztekium, Echinocactus, Lophophora, Obregonia, Turbinicarpus etc.

30-60% Grit

10-30% Pumice/Perlite

10-20% Coarse Sand

5% Slow Release/Pellet fertilizer (optional)

---

For Water tolerant species

For water tolerant species protected from the rain/uncontrolled water. useful for plants such as: Cereus, Echinopsis, Harrisia, Myrtillocactus, Neobuxbaumia, Opuntia, Polaskia, Rebutia, Stenocereus, Trichocereus etc.

30-50% Coco coir/Peat/Top soil

10-20% Pumice/Perlite

20-40% Grit & Sand

In our greenhouse we use a 60% Coir, 30% grit, 5% pumice & 5% organic pellet fertilizer for all columnar/water tolerant species. Keep in mind in a greenhouse, people control the water.

---

For Tropical species

This mix is useful for tropical species that tolerate, and even prefer moist/rich soils. Some examples: Acanthocereus, Hylocereus, Pereskia, Pereskiopsis, Rhipsalis, Selenicereus etc.

70% Coco/Peat/Top soil

10% Grit/Sand

10-20% Compost

5-10% Manure/fertilizer

TIMANFAYA

Paul Stamets - How Mushrooms Can Save Bees & Our Food Supply | Bioneers

Amazing Instrument

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/11/a-new-acoustic-instrument-that-creates-sounds-like-a-digital-synthesizer/

Today's Planting

x10 - A. Superkabuto x Onzuka
x10 A. Hanozono
x10 Onzuka Columnare (Super White)
x10 A. Myriostigma (Kikko Nudum)
x80 Onzuka (Diff Forms)
x30 A. Myriostigma (Rare Cultivars & Forms)
x60 A. Asterias (Variegated)
x80 A. Myriostigma (Kikko Variegated)

Seed Order

Seed Order

10 Astrophytum myriostigma cv KIKKO NUDUM 

10 Astrophytum HANAZONO x SNOW
JAPAN IMPORT

10 Astrophytum SUPERKABUTO x ONZUKA BG073

10 Astrophytum ONZUKA columnare SUPER WHITE

Soil Mix for slow growing cacti

http://www.living-rocks.com/quail.htm

Seeds to Find

Astrophytum myriostigma HUKUUN FUKURYU 

Astrophytum myriostigma FUKURYU HAKUYO

Astrophytum myriostigma FUKURYU HAKUUN 

Astrophytum coahuilense KIKKO HAKURAN

Astrophytum myriostigma FUKURYU HAKUYO 

Importing plants info

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=435#section-3

http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/plants/plantHealth/imports/index.cfm

Killing Thrips!

http://www.greenhousegrower.com/crop-inputs/insect-control/control-of-thrips-with-systemic-insecticides/

http://bugspray.com/article/thrips.html

nematodes like Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

Onzuka Photographs

Ariocarpus Cultivars

http://www.living-rocks.com/miles.htm

Cactus Seed and Plant Retailers

http://lophophora.blogspot.co.uk/2000/01/seed-and-plant-retailers.html

http://www.mesagarden.com/

The Encyclopedia of Cacti

http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/12858/Astrophytum_hybrid_AS-ONZ_(A._asterias_x_A._myriostigma_cv._Onzuka)