Astrophytum and Friends

Re-potting some Ariocarpus Seedlings

2012-01-26T15:58:00.000-08:00

Ariocarpus Retusus seedlings from 2010. Several different forms of field collected seeds all mixed together. One of the plants appears to be variegated and is glowing a little bit slower which is characteristic of the trait. All appear to be healthy and are growing well for plants that are just on 2 years old, I think the growth rate has been about average for the species.

First two trays:

A few of the bigger ones, you can see the variegated seedling in the bottom right corner.

Variegated seedling:

Two FREAKS; Trichocereus Peruvianus Monstrose Crests

2012-01-17T13:15:00.000-08:00

Both plants are the result of a cross between Trichocereus Peruvianus Monstrose (Mother) X Sacred Succulents SS02 (Father). I only received 6 seeds from this cross and 4 germinated all of them are either crest or very strange monstrose growth.

Lophophora (SP)

2012-01-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

Thought I would share some pictures from my collection of the species Lophophora. I have a fairly diverse collection nearly entirely existing of seed grown plants, a good portion of which I have grafted to various stocks. For Lophophora I generally use columnar cacti stocks such as Trichocereus and Cereus but also use Pereskiopsis and very rarely Hylocereus/Selenicereus.

I have been grafting cactus for the last 6 years and during this time have found a few tips and tricks, I plan on posting a how-to grafting guide over the next few weeks. In the meanwhile enjoy these.

Hybridisation of Asterias Cultivars

2011-11-14T17:06:00.001-08:00

Last week I created a few Asterias Cultivar Hybrids and they look to be forming seed pods, two of the plants are pictured below. I pollinated the flowers by hand, by simply pinching the pollen in my fingertips and then place and rub it into the stigma of the other plant.

Left: Asterias Cv Akabana Right Asterias Cv Hanaizumi

Astro Cultivars and a few others

2011-11-06T19:33:00.000-08:00

Took some updated photographs yesterday of how the plants are developing . Many flowers at present in the green house and I have made a few crosses which should produce some interesting seed. I will post an update with the crosses in a few days, in the meanwhile check these out.

Astrophytum Update !!

2011-10-11T22:24:00.000-07:00

All photographs taken today the 12th of October 2011, first are some grafted plants and later are plants which I de-grafted and rooted at the end of last summer.

Grafts:

De-grafts, now growing on their own roots:

Come and share your experiences with me @ http://forum.auscactiforum.net/

2011-10-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

I encourage all people who visit my blog to become a member of my website http://forum.auscactiforum.net/
Here we discuss all things cacti, it is a great place to learn and trade.

A few grafted plants from last season

2011-10-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

Aztekium Ritteri

Ariocarpus Retusus

Myriostigma Seedlings

2011-09-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

Picture of some Myriostigma Cultivars. Plenty of nice colour in there.

Spring !! and winter damage

2011-09-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

Spring time again here in Australia

The weather here in Sydney is just warning up nicely, day time temps are getting as high as 32Degrees Celsius. I had some bad luck over winter where a family or mice (Rodents) got into my greenhouse and seriously damaged my collection. Lost nearly all of my Asterias own roots plants and only have a couple of grafted plants left.

Here is a quick photo of the damage :(

Astrophytum Caput-medusae

2011-03-01T17:59:00.000-08:00

An update on Astrophytum

2011-02-27T21:11:00.000-08:00

Some Grafted Astrophytum

2011-01-22T17:55:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of some of my grafted Astrophytum. Mostly cultivars of Myriostigma but also some Asterias cultivars mixed in. I have grafted all of these plants over the last two seasons only :)

Enjoy.

Astrophytum Flowers and a new Hybrid

2011-01-08T21:19:00.000-08:00

Today I created a cross pollination between the two plants below, Fingers crossed.

Kohyo x Fukuryu = ??

2010-10-18T23:37:00.000-07:00

Another promising looking seedling, I hope this one keeps developing. This came from top growers/collectors Carlo and Daniele's seeds :) Thanks guys.

Kohyo Yellow x Fukuryu Rampo

Fukuryu seedlings

2010-09-09T21:11:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and the growing season is just beginning here in Australia. The day time temperatures are getting up to 25 degrees and the plants are just starting to break dormancy and grow again.

First shots of the Fukuryu seedlings grafted in February, all are grafted on Hylocereus and some look very promising for the future.

Enjoy.

Myriostigma Cultivars sown 5/7/2010

2010-07-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

Much like the photographs of the Asterias seeds, I have done the same thing but with a larger and taller box for Myriostigma CV's. I used a larger box to give the typically bigger Myrio's a bit more room to grow. The asterias/ariocarpus box is coming along nicely with a heap germinating :)

They are both currently on my little heat mat since it is too cold for natural germination.

Pictures of seed sown on 21/6/2010

2010-06-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

I still have not taken any pictures of the 500+ Astrophyum seedling sown a few weeks back. They are doing well and most have germinated and are growing well.

I have taken a photo of the new method I have used for the seedlings dated 21/6/2010. My explanation was not very good so I took a photograph. Sown were Astrophytum Asterias cultivars (and x cultivars) and a selection of Ariocarpus. I have labeled each box from top left to bottom right and have given each one a number, the second picture is the key or legend. Sorry about my bad handwriting :)

Click see bigger picture

Click to see names

More seeds sown 21/06/2010

2010-06-21T04:25:00.000-07:00

Today I completed sowing a heap more Astrophytum Asterias cultivars and Ariocarpus variants. I have experimented with new way of organising the seeds by sowing them in a large plastic container that has 24 individual sections. This allows me to keep track of each variant easily by simply numbering each box, I have taken a photo and will post when I get a chance. I'm not sure how well this will work but fingers crossed.

Grafts as of 19-6-2010

2010-06-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post some picture of the grafts I've been doing over the last season or so. The first few are the original Astrophytum seedlings/gratfs at the beginning of this blog.

Unfortunately most of the kohyo grafts have not changed colour, I'm not sure whether this is due to it not being deep enough into winter or the trait not carrying. All the seedlings on their own roots have turned some very nice colours it would appear the graft is hindering the kohyo effect.

Astrophytum Myriostigma Kohyo Orange

Astrophytum Myriostigma Kohyo "Rainbow" x Onzuka Kikko Ball

Astrophytum Myriostigma Kohyo

Astrophytum Myriostigma Onzuka Kikko Ball x (Onzuka Kkko x Caput Medusae)

Astro Myrio Onzuka Kikko Ball x (Onzuka Kikko + Fukuryu Hakujo + Kohyo)

Astrophytum Coahuilense hybrid

Astrophytum Asterias ??

Pediocactus Knowltonii Crest

Astrophytum Myriostigma Onzuka

Trichocereus Peruvianus Monstrosus x SS02 (Crest?)

Ariocarpus Retusus

New batch of seeds - Sown 28/05/2010

2010-06-01T03:30:00.000-07:00

On the 28th of May I put down approximately 500 mixed Astrophytum cultivar seeds. Many of them have germinated already and I'm looking at a good germination (90%+) which is typical of Astrophytum.

The seeds I collected over the last season, some are from my own plants but the majority from very generous collectors around the world. I thank each of you....you know who you are..who have helped me obtain the seeds.

The seeds include Asterias, Myriostigma, Ornatum and Coahuilense variety's and forms, most if not all of the seeds are cultivars (i.e Superkabuto) crossed with other cultivars (i.e Kohyo). I am very excited to see these seedlings grow. I will post a photo of them soon.

Winer approaching :(

2010-04-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots taken today 13th of April 2010, click to make them larger.

Astrophytum Myriostigma Kohyo + Variegate

Astrophytum Myriostigma Kohyo

Astrophytum Ornatum Cv Fukuryu

Lophophora Variegate + Kikko

Multi Graft Myrio Onzukas

Quick update

2010-01-27T16:52:00.000-08:00

ome updated photos, as usual click for larger images. The last one is not from this batch of seeds but I really like for form of this one :)

New pictures !

2009-10-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

Below are some new pictures of the plants so far shots were taken a day or two ago.

Click any of the images for larger photos

Astro Myrio CV Kohyo "Rainbow" x Onzuka Kikko Ball

Astro Myrio CV Onzuka Kikko Ball x (Onzuka x Caput Medusae)

Astro Myrio Kohyo "Rainbow"

Astro Myrio Onzuka Kikko Ball x (Onzuka Kikko + Fukuryu Hakujo + Kohyo)

Astro Myrio Kohyo "Rainbow ??"

Astro Myrio koh-yo rainbow x onzuka kikko ball

Astro Myriostigma Kohyo Orange

Astro Myrio Kohyo "Rainbow" x Onzuka Kiko Ball

Astro onzuka kikko ball x myrio kikko koh-yo ‘violet’

Astro Myrio Kohyo

This seasons seedlings - New Astrophytum CV's

2009-10-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

I have obtained some new seeds for the coming growing season. I sowed them about 2 weeks ago now and most have germinated, they are very viable seeds this time around almost 100% germination.

These are the seeds for summer 2009:

1. 20 asterias kikko x myrio kikko koh-yo red

2. 15 myriostigma koh-yo yellow x fukuryu rampo

3. 10 myriostigma nudum x fukuryu banjyaku

4. 10 Ornatum cv fukuryu banjyaku x fukuryu haku-jo

5. 10 Ornatum cv fukuryu banjyaku x fukuryu hekiran
6. 10 myriostigma koh-yo yellow

Update soon !

2009-10-13T18:49:00.000-07:00

I have had several requests to post an update on the plants so far. I will post an update next week hopefully. thanks for looking.

HN

First Update of the growing season:

2009-08-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

It is still officially winter here in Sydney, spring starts in a little under 2 weeks, but is has been warmer than expected especially during the day. Recent days are between 19 – 27 deg which equates to about 21 – 30 in the grow room.

First pictures of the season; this one took my eye whilst watering so I decided to take a few shots. It has developed a nice orange colour and lustre on skin.

Astrophytum Myriostigma Cv Kohyo "Orange"

CLICK IMAGE TO OPEN LARGER

Winter almost over

2009-08-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

Winter is almost over now and the grafts look to have survived. It wasn't particularly cold this season with night time temperatures getting to a low of 4deg in the grow room. Some of them are showing some minor marks on the skin and one has slight splitting at the bottom of the stem. I think from over watering.

They are all just starting to wake up and come out of dormancy. I can see new growth on several of them which is a good sign. At the beginning of spring I will post some updated photographs from the winter period, even though not a great deal has changed.

WINTER :(

2009-06-03T22:56:00.001-07:00

Well it's officialy winter here in Australia and the day time temps are sitting around 16-20 degrees. I won't make many updates over the next few monts as nothing much will happen, the plants are pretty much dormant as I type this.

I was thinking about heating the grow room in an attempt to overwinter them but decided against it. I think I will get better results as far as aesthetics and flowering goes if I let them run the natural course.

If anyone reading this has any rare Astrophytum or other cacti seed they woudl like to trade or sell please get in contact with me.

Quick update !

2009-05-06T20:31:00.000-07:00

I will update with names and some info soon.

Astrophytum Myriostigma Kohyo ????

Astro Myrio Kohyo "Rainbow"

Astro Myrio Kohyo "Rainbow" x Onzuka Kiko Ball

Astro Myrio CV Kohyo "Rainbow" x Onzuka Kikko Ball

Astro Myrio Kohyo "???"

Astro Myrio Kohyo "Orange"

Astro Myrio Onzuka Kikko Ball x (Onzuka Kikko + Fukuryu Hakujo + Kohyo)

Astro Myrio CV Onzuka Kikko Ball x (Onzuka x Caput Medusae)

More graft and update on the first grafts:

2009-02-09T23:16:00.000-08:00

New graft - Astrophytum Myriostigma CV Onzuka Kikko Ball x (Onzuka x Caput medusae)

First Grafts:

Astro Myrio CV Kohyo "Orange"

Astrophytum Myriostigma CV Kohyo "Rainbow" x Onzuka Kikko Ball

Updated Pics..........First Grafts

2009-01-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

^^^Astro Myrio cv Kohyo "Orange"

^^^^^Astro Myrio Kohyo "Rainbow"

Astro Myrio cv Kohyo "Rainbow" x cv Onzuka Kikko Ball

Updated Pics .... Seedlings

2009-01-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

Seedlings update (Taken 10/01/09):

Pereskiopsis .....and the Grafts begin.

2009-01-08T22:43:00.000-08:00

I grafted 4 of the seedlings to Pereskiopsis about a week ago. I will post some pics with the progress. 3 of them appear to have taken one is still in the balance.

They appear to be fairly easy to graft which is a plus. The more permanent grafting stocks are coming along and I think the scions + stocks will be ready for grafting early February.

Updated pis of Grafts and seedlings in the next day or two.

Focus for the next few months.

2008-12-16T21:03:00.000-08:00

I live in Australia and here summer has just started. Over the next few months I am going to focus solely on a batch of Astrophytum seeds I sowed on the 13/12/3008. I am going to attempt to docuemnt the life cycle of these seedlings and hopefully end up with a few very nice plants.

To speed up the process will graft as many as possible to a variety of stocks. My favourite stocks are Hylocereus Undatus (dragon fruit) and Pereskiopsis Spathulata. I will also use Harrisia Jusbertii, Several different Opuntia sp and Selenicereus Grandiflorus.

This is what I sowed on the 13/12/08:

20 x myriostigma cv. koh-yo ‘violet’
20 x myriostigma cv. koh-yo ‘orange’
20 x myriostigma cv. koh-yo ‘rainbow’
15 x myriostigma cv. kikko koh-yo ‘peach’ ball x myrio cv. kikko koh-yo
15 x myriostigma cv. kikko koh-yo ‘violet’ x myrio cv. kikko koh-yo
20 x myriostigma cv. koh-yo hakuun x onzuka kikko ball
20 x myriostigma cv. koh-yo ‘rainbow’ x onzuka kikko ball
12 x onzuka kikko ball x myrio kikko koh-yo ‘violet’
10 x onzuka kikko ball x (onzuka x caput medusae)
10 x myriostigma cv. Onzuka x (onzuka kikko + fukuryu hakujo + koh-yo)

Below is a picture at 16/12/08 (Click for bigger photo)

The Beginning.......

2008-12-15T18:52:00.000-08:00

This is the first post in what hopefully will be a comprehensive account of my adventures with the genus of cacti Astrophyum, I will also talk about my other beloved friends Ariocarpus, Lophophora, Turbinicarpus and other rare cacti.