10 ARIOCARPUS FISSURATUS - Living Rock - Chautle seeds

10 ARIOCARPUS FISSURATUS - Living Rock - Chautle seeds

Start price	1.25 USD
Current price	1.25 USD
Start time	04/24/2008
End time	05/01/2008
Bid count	0
See more about 10 ARIOCARPUS FISSURATUS - Living Rock - Chautle seeds

Ariocarpus Fissuratus (Chautle, Living Rock, Texas Star)   Also offering San Pedro Cactus, TRUE T. Peruvianus, Astrophytum and much more!! Check out my other items!   Ariocarpus fissuratus is one of many varieties of cacti and succulents known as living rocks, a term coined for their ability to blend into their surroundings. Fissuratus is the most popular species of ariocarpus among rare cacti collectors.  The rough, grey, triangular tubercles that disguise the cactus in its natural environment along with wooly tufts and 1.5” purple flowers are also highly ornamental.  As a result, this cactus has been heavily over-harvested in its native are of Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico. To preserve it from complete extinction, wild harvests have been restricted.  However, its extreme desirability has preserved its survival in cultivation.  One factor that’s made ariocarpus fissuratus so susceptible to over-harvesting is its slow growth.  It can take a cactus twenty years to 8”, although much of the cactus grows underground as a large taproot.  Fortunately, cultivators have found that grafting ariocarpus to faster-growing stocks such as pereskiopsis, san pedro or blue myrtle can drastically speed up growth.  Before it was a coveted ornamental, ariocarpus fissuratus was used as a medicinal and sacramental cactus, particularly by the Tarahumara Indians.  As a medicinal, it was reported to be commonly used for fevers and rheumatism.  There are also reports that it was chewed as a stimulant.  Its religious significance is related to peyote and it is often cacti called names like “false peyote,” “peyotillo” or “peyote cimmaron.” Each lot contains 10 Seeds Growing Information: Seeds should be germinated in a fine sandy soil at about 70-75 degrees.  A commercial potting mix with the larger material strained out is ideal.  Flatten out the soil and then put a thin layer of loose soil above it.  Sow the seeds on the surface and press in very lightly. They need light to germinate.  Mist the soil to keep it moist and cover with clear plastic. Ideally, the covering should not be flat across the top because it will cause the water to drip back on the young seedlings, which sometimes causes rot.  Something like a sandwich bag often makes a better “tent” because the water will run down the sides more easily.  The soil should not be allowed to dry out while the plants are seedlings.  Use a mister if the soil does get dry.  Place the seedlings on a heat mat (ideally) in bright light. Placing the seeds just a few inches from fluorescent lights is ideal for starting seedlings, although natural light will work too.  Note that using a heat mat will cause more evaporation, which may require more attention.  Be sure to air out the seedlings once a day for best results.    A. Fissuratus can tolerate temps as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit.  A non-organic soil, with some calcium and low nitrogen is ideal.  Organic soil tends to be more acidic, and cacti typically prefer more alkaline soils.  They need very little water, easily going a year without it, and absolutely require good drainage to avoid rot.  Watering from below the plant, allowing the soil to wick up water until it reaches the top is the preferred mode of watering.  Water should only be given during active growth.  Mature plants will tolerate full sun, but some protection is recommended since it normally grows in the shade of bushes in the wild.