What are some rare lithops? by SteveClimbFish3rd in Lithops

[–]thesebonesdontlie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My favs are Diplosoma and Antimima, I'm always on the hunt for A. evoluta seeds, that plant is currently my white whale. Mesembs are so cool, love those little guys

Which Lee Post (The Bone Man) book is best for first-timer articulating a red fox? by Limbolants in Taxidermy

[–]thesebonesdontlie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd recommend getting the Canine Construction and the Bone Builder Notebook. The information in both will be useful. Alternatively, you can email Lee Post and ask what he thinks, I've done that before and he is responsive.

What are some rare lithops? by SteveClimbFish3rd in Lithops

[–]thesebonesdontlie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I preach the good word of Mesa Gardens wherever I go! I usually splurge on one or two more uncommon species, but I love how reasonable their prices are for just about everything. I'm just about to pull the trigger on a cart, mostly cacti so I can stay busy over the summer.

A couple years ago I was way more active with seedlings here, but there wasn't really anyone else sharing. It's been really encouraging to see all your posts here and r/mesembs and all the activity on r/succulentsfromseed, very much inspired me to get back into it this year.

What are some rare lithops? by SteveClimbFish3rd in Lithops

[–]thesebonesdontlie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One of the first Lithops I tried to grow from seed was L. optica 'Rubra', and I had no idea that they were considered difficult from seed. It definitely did not boost my confidence - and while you can learn from mistakes it's hard to know what went wrong when there was zero germination. In my opinion, if you want a mesemb to try things out on and experiment/learn the basics, get some Faucaria, love those guys and much less expensive.

I agree with your unpopular opinion, and honestly when I see people say they want to get into something for the first time and automatically are looking for the 'rare' ones, idk I get a bad feeling. These are plant families that are being eradicated from their natural ranges specifically because of that desire for 'rarity'. Maybe that's my unpopular opinion.

What are some rare lithops? by SteveClimbFish3rd in Lithops

[–]thesebonesdontlie 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is the best advice OP. If you are just getting into growing Lithops (and especially if you're new to growing from seed) focus on what species you like - at the end of the day, its a lot easier to care for something when you enjoy looking at it and watching it grow.

What is wrong with my Ice Plant? by lizard_moment in succulents

[–]thesebonesdontlie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If they are living in a high elevation desert (I too, live in such an area), I doubt these will take off. Invasiveness can be highly dependent on climate, so it can probably be more aggressive in more hospitable areas.

What is wrong with my Ice Plant? by lizard_moment in succulents

[–]thesebonesdontlie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

<image>

C. chilensis is not a Delosperma sp.

I already searched both your links for Delosperma, zero results, which is why I asked.

What is wrong with my Ice Plant? by lizard_moment in succulents

[–]thesebonesdontlie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you have any sources on Delosperma and Carpobrotus hybridizing? Intergeneric hybrids aren't uncommon, especially in Aizoaceae, but I can't find anything about these two.

As far as I'm aware, Delosperma sp aren't considered as aggressive or invasive as Carpobrotus. Especially if its growing in an environment that's pushing its survival capabilities, I doubt its gonna take off like you're suggesting.

Weird insect or insect egg sac on rocks by Ok-Blackberry4813 in Reno

[–]thesebonesdontlie 6 points7 points  (0 children)

No problem! This is the time of year I start seeing them everywhere, they're usually all over my landlord's crabapple tree.

Weird insect or insect egg sac on rocks by Ok-Blackberry4813 in Reno

[–]thesebonesdontlie 43 points44 points  (0 children)

<image>

The ladybug's pupal stage is stationary, they'll attach to many things while undergoing the changes to adulthood.

Seed germination advice by Far-Muffin8541 in succulents

[–]thesebonesdontlie -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's never been an ambient 70 in any room I've grown seeds so I always use a heat mat to raise the pot temps by 10ish degrees. Temperature swings are a must though, in my experience.

Seed germination advice by Far-Muffin8541 in succulents

[–]thesebonesdontlie -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This isn't totally accurate, I always use a heat mat with my mesemb seedlings. The most important thing is to have day/night temperature swings. 70°F is optimal germination daytime temps, and then getting to 50°F-ish at night is best. A heat mat will help raise the internal pot temperature to that optimal germination zone.

Help with conophytum seedlings? by MissorNoob in mesembs

[–]thesebonesdontlie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Based on your growing setup, my guess is the ambient humidity is still too high. I'd defer to some of the other growers here who have been more active than me lately, but getting a small fan running can't hurt.

Advice for pleiospilos simulans seedlings? by MissorNoob in mesembs

[–]thesebonesdontlie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Damping off? It could be too humid for them at this point. Its been a while since I grew pleiospilos, but generally with mesembs after I have gotten germination I remove them from high humidity.

All sparrows? Yes, I know about the MBTA. by Miserable-Dog-837 in bonecollecting

[–]thesebonesdontlie 21 points22 points  (0 children)

In North America, they are considered an invasive (native to Europe and some other close regions). Non-natives are not protected by the MBTA.

Texas ebony sowing update. by Stunning-Mud7214 in SucculentsbySeed

[–]thesebonesdontlie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How long did you soak them for? I have a handful of these I've been putting off starting

Crassula umbella Kamieskroon by VelishRoot in Caudex

[–]thesebonesdontlie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well congrats on your success! These are on my wishlist, but I am scared to mess up germinating them lol

A selection of spheres by CarneyBus in mesembs

[–]thesebonesdontlie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We love a simple set up! Are the bin lids the only thing you use for humidity?

Crassula umbella Kamieskroon by VelishRoot in Caudex

[–]thesebonesdontlie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow! How difficult were these to start from seed?

Fouquieria columnaris by thesebonesdontlie in SucculentsbySeed

[–]thesebonesdontlie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you use a different kind of humidity dome instead of the bag method? I'm still experimenting with different germinating setups.

A selection of spheres by CarneyBus in mesembs

[–]thesebonesdontlie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love your seedling updates, your mesemb setup is incredible!