Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Seeds received!

Hello again! I've already mentioned in my previous post that my plans has changed a bit. Doubt, inspiration and over-enthusiasm are the causes, but the list below is what I'll really sow this year (if I don't receive any unexpected presents!):

Seed order 2015 part 1!
Cacti:
  • Astrophytum caput-medusae (40 seeds), winner of "The Great Poll".
  • Sulcorebutia arenacea (100 seeds), a species with beautiful yellow flowers.
  • Sulcorebutia azurduyensis, LH 1422 Azurduy 2733 m (20 seeds)
  • Sulcorebutia canigueralii, SE 0117, 20 km SE Sucre, 2400 m (15 seeds)
  • Sulcorebutia pasopayana VZ 62; Presto Pasopaya 3050m/Bolivie (20 seeds)
  • Sulcorebutia rauschii, VS 0342, east Zudanez, 2850 m (20 seeds)
  • Trichocereus pachanoi (100 seeds), the San Pedro cactus.
Lots of Sulcorebutias as you can see. I've been "studying" this genus lately and their compactability and amazing flowers have convinced me to order several species. I hope to built myself a small collection this way.

Other succulents:
  • Agave parryi (20 seeds), a nice, winter hardy Agave.
  • Stapelia grandiflora (10 seeds), a succulent with flowers that smell like rotten flesh. You better be suspicious when I'm giving you a plant in the future. ;-)

The orders

I've ordered at four different places this year:

Köhres Kakteen (Germany):
  • Trichocereus pachanoi (100 seeds)
  • Agave parryi (20 seeds)

Seed order Köhres Kakteen (Germany)
I've received these seeds three days after ordering them. Quick service, as always! I'm wondering how the germination rate will be. More on that soon!

Bercht-Cactus (The Netherlands):
  • Sulcorebutia azurduyensis, LH 1422 Azurduy 2733 m (20 seeds)
  • Sulcorebutia canigueralii, SE 0117, 20 km SE Sucre, 2400 m (15 seeds)
  • Sulcorebutia rauschii, VS 0342, east Zudanez, 2850 m (20 seeds)

Seed order Bercht-Cactus (The Netherlands)
This well-packed order was laying in my mailbox only two days after I've ordered them (keep in mind that I live in The Netherlands). What I find interesting about Ludwig Bercht's list are all the different localities per species. Almost till the exact place of the plant's natural habitat! He's a specialist on South American species with a huge collection of Gymnocalyciums.

ADBLPS (France):
  • Sulcorebutia arenacea (100 seeds)
  • Sulcorebutia pasopayana VZ 62; Presto Pasopaya 3050 m/Bolivia (20 seeds)
  • Stapelia grandiflora (10 seeds)

Seed order ADBLPS (France)
Within two weeks my order got delivered by mail. I order every year from this nursery and I really recommend you to take a look at their seed list. Lots of nice species and just like Mr. Bercht's list, all the info you need is there (locations, field numbers, etc.).


Little Gerardo´s nursery (Czech Republic):

  • Astrophytum caput-medusae (40 seeds)

The winner of "The Great Poll"! Many nurseries sell the seeds of this species for a relatively high price, but not at Gerardo's. Just check out their website. It's a neat and clear site with a button at the top of the page so that you can switch to English (kind of handy for when you're not that familiar with the Czech language!).

I haven't received the seeds yet and because it has been some weeks ago since I placed my order, I was starting to get a little worried. Did the envelope maybe got lost somewhere in the mail process?!

And today I've received a message explaining that a colleague just came out of the hospital and that they'll send the package next week. Completely understandable of course! They've also asked me if I would maybe like to add something to my order, because they received some new seeds. I've thought about it, checked out the species, made a decision and added one species to my list. I'll write more about this new addition soon (POLL-ALERT!)

The End

I'll keep you up to date and will post again to show you the sowing process of this year. That's it for today! Lit a pipe, have a drink and take care! Till next post!