A Few More Ariocarpus Hybrids and Cultivars

Winter Update.

Winter is finally over and its time for some serious growth and propagation this season :)
A few pics from over winter.

Ariocarpus Hybrids

Ariocarpus Retusus

Lophocereus Schotii Monstrose

Nice looking Tricho Peruvianus

Lophophora 

Trichocereus Peruvianus Hybrid (TPM X SS02) Crest

Ariocapurs Grafts Completed Today

Today I completed approx 15 grafts of Ariocarpus Seedlings, mostly cultivars and hybrids. All were grafted to Hylocereus Undatus or Selenicereus Megalanthus (Very similar in appearance, identical results for grafting).

I have a new found love for the genus Ariocarpus and intend on propagating and grafting a heap in the remainder of this season and during winter in my grow room. I find them a challenge to grow, especially from seed, but have been surprised by their hardiness and ability to adapt. I find nothing more beautiful than a large fully mature Ariocarpus.

Sorry no pics from me but here is a WEB PIC to show you what I'm on about.

SOURCE: http://www.indoor-plant-care.com/plant-list/ariocarpus-retusus/

Re-potting some Ariocarpus Seedlings

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:

The Beginning.......

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.