10 Living Rock ARIOCARPUS RETUSUS - Seven Stars seeds

10 Living Rock ARIOCARPUS RETUSUS - Seven Stars 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 Living Rock ARIOCARPUS RETUSUS - Seven Stars seeds

Ariocarpus Retusus (Living Rock, Seven Stars)   Also offering Ariocarpus Fissuratus, San Pedro Cactus, TRUE T. Peruvianus, Astrophytum and much more!! Check out my other items!   Ariocarpus retusus is one of many varieties of cacti and succulents known as living rocks, a term coined for their ability to blend into their surroundings. Retusus is the largest, fastest-growing and easiest to cultivate of the ariocarpus genus, making it one of the most popular among rare cacti collectors.  It is also a very variable species.  These seeds produce star-shaped plants with broad, flat tubercles and 2” white to pink flowers that bloom in October from the wooly tuft in the center of the plant.  They can reach up to 10” in diameter.  Unlike the endangered ariocarpus fissuratus, retusus is widespread throughout the Chihuahuan desert, although habitat destruction does pose a risk.  Like fissuratus, retusus has a large taproot below the ground and is occasionally grafted to faster-growing stocks such as pereskiopsis, san pedro or blue myrtle that can drastically speed up growth.    Ariocarpus retusus was known as “tsuwiri,” meaning false peyote, by the Huichols.  In their long journeys to find and partake in peyote rituals, they believe that those who were impure or evil would be led by the sprits to find tswiri rather than peyote and would go on to suffer madness upon ingesting the false peyote.    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.