wow amazing... truly amazing!!! its amazing how quixkly you can get these guys to flower.

regards
darren

My own plant number C-1 was in flower this aternoon.
This is the 1st flower of my competition plants.
C-1
Plant name: Ariocapus kotschoubeyanus f Rio verde
Sown seeds: 15/11/09
Germination: 23/11/09
Grafted: 03/12/09
1st flowering:26/02/10
The diameter of main head is around 25 mm.

Well done Hanazono... you are a genius!!

i have reduced day length to 12 hours now but still no sign of flower buds. i think under lights is going to be no good!! I may have to move one outside.

congratulations again hanazono.

kind regards
Darren

Darren
I knew small type Ariocarpus would get flower within 6 months from the time of sown seeds if seedlings were grafted.
When you sowed seeds early in spring, you will get flower in autumn, around this time.
You selected Ariocarpus retusus v elongatus for the competition. Elongatus is not a small type of Ariocarpus.
We sowed seeds on 15/11/09 which was not early spring.
I am not sure the current your elongatus size but from my experience, elongatus needs 5 cm diameter at least for the flowering, I think.
Hanazono

In the words of homer simpson "DOH"!!! looks like i may have to wait another year which may make it a little late to be in the running

this has been a great experience for me as i have barely even owned cacti let alone graft ariocarpus only 2 days from germination. i have realy enjoyed the challenge and this thread. i would like to thank hellonasty whom i purchased the seeds from and hanazono for your advice, my family and friends who now know everything about ariocarpus and the competition. i would also like to thank my wife for letting me use the laundry . this has been a lot of fun and kept me amused for months.

i am looking forward to the loph growers for the next stage of this exciting competition.

kind regards
Darren

WOW i'm amazed Hanazono That really is extraordinarily fast. Were they grown in your green house the entire time ?


I really didn't think we would get flowers until spring this year.....again amazing and well done.
I think Kanje was organising prizes for first place.

G'morning Hellonasty
Yes they were in my greehouse the entire time.
I sowed kotschoubeyanus seeds every year, last 6 years including in 2009.
I normally sow seeds late August or early September and graft seedlings in October.
Kotschoubeyanus makes 1st flower in February or March, 6 months from sown seeds.

Since sowing seeds for the competition was a bit late, mid of November, I used a special potting mix, 25% of matured chiken pellet and add Osmocote over top soil in the end of January.
Although sowing seeds was bit late, the special potting mix gave the 1st flower in February, I think.
Hanazono

PHOTOSHOPPED!!

Nah good work Hana! always impress you do..... And Dazz you have done wonders mate for someone with little experience. congrats!

-A

Another plant was in flower yesterday.
My plnat number is A-1.
Sown seeds on 15/11/09
Grafted on 22/11/09
1st flower on 05/03/10

Congratulations Hanzono. I honestly did not expect to be seeing a winner this stage in the comp. I will PM you for your address details once I have organised the prizes.

So where is everyone at with Lophophora catagory?

i have lophophora grafts coming along, i dont think they are huge yet. no signs of budding. i have lost the charger to my camera so i havent been able to do pix 4 ages. i will try using a phone on the weekend and see how it goes

hi everyone
here are 2 of my loph grafts onto trichocereus. i have another couple that arent doing as well, but i can only get the camera for about 2 mins b4 it dies...

graft1 , graft1 this is 10mm diametre. the orange rust seems to have subsided now, since it has ceased raining and pouring constantly for weeks at a time
graft2 this one is 9mm
they seem to have taken well, not sure about the growth rates though. sown in dec 09 grafted in jan 10

Well done everybody!