Friday, August 7, 2009

How to Grow a Carnegiea Gigantea - Giant Saguaro Cactus


Here we go in depth on how to grow a Giant Saguaro also known as, Carnegiea Gigantea. You can find the Giant Saguaro for purchase at SeedBloc.com or at my eBay store
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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) and 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.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009


Trichocereus Bridgesii- San Pedro Cactus- 20 seed pack!

Purchase the Trichocereus Bridgesii- San Pedro Cactus here at seedbloc.com

We also sell on eBay. Visit My eBay Store: SeedBloc

We sell an assortment of exotic seeds including: Carnegiea Gigantea (Giant Saguaro), Astrophytum Asterias "Super Kabuto".

Each lot includes 20 T. bridgesii seeds. Trichocereus bridgesii, also classified as Echinopsis lageniformis, is a bluish-green columnar cactus native to Boliva, which is also where these seeds are from. It resembles the more common San Pedro cactus (T. pachanoi) but typically has fewer, wider ribs and longer spines. In fact, many references to San Pedro in Bolivia are believed to actually be referring to bridgesii rather than pachanoi. This cactus has gained much popularity among cactus collectors in recent years. Like pachanoi, it has huge, white blooms that make it an attractive andscaping cactus. It grows a little bit slower than pachanoi but is still a rapid grower, making it one of several trichocereus species that work well as a grafting stock for slower-growing cacti such as astrophytum and ariocarpus. It can reach fifteen feet in height and tends to produce offsets rather easily. T. bridgesii is also easy to grow from seed, but its seedlings are more prone to turning purple than many other trichocereus species when exposed to sunlight. When this occurs, be sure to reduce their exposure. It is hardy to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit and should only be watered during active growth when the soil has dried out. During the winter in areas where temperatures are too cold, plants should be brought inside where they will go dormant (stop growing). Prior to entering dormancy (late September-early October), watering should be slowly reduced until it reaches none. Plants should be brought indoors and stored in a cool, dry, dark place. Since it is not growiing, it does not require any of these essentials. When breaking dormancy, a reverse process can be applied. This will ensure nice, even growth to your cacti and reduce the chance of infection due to overwatering when the cactus’s immune system is at rest.



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) and 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.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Coffea Racemosa- The Forgotten Coffee Bean?



Coffea Racemosa is one of the less-talked-about species although it has a reputation among coffee bean growers for having excellent quality coffee beans. This bushy species from southern Africa branches readily and is an abundant producer. However, it remains rather short compared to other coffee bean species. Outdoors it can reach from six to ten feet, but may also be grown as a houseplant similar to other coffee bean varieties.

At SeedBloc.com we sell varieties of coffee bean seeds including the coffea racemosa featured in this post. Others coffee bean varieties include: coffea arabica and coffea kona.

Growing Information:



Sow your seeds about ½ an inch below the surface of soil and keep it lightly moist. Too much moisture will cause the seeds to rot. Potting soil with some perlite added in for drainage will or it can be mixed with sand and compost. Germination can take a while, so you may choose to cover your planted seeds with clear plastic to keep in moisture. Otherwise, you will have to mist the soil when it is at risk of drying out completely. Another option is sow your seeds in a sealable container or sandwich bag filled with either moist sand or the same soil mixture you will use to grow your plants. The advantage of using sand is that it is less likely to cause rot, but if your moisture level is correct that shouldn't be a big concern. Check periodically to see when your seeds have sprouted. When you see a root popping out from the seed coat, plant the seed level with the soil in its own container with root facing down. The advantages of this method is that it saves space while the seeds are waiting to germinate and it allows you to position the seed in the exact direction it should be growing. Be sure that the seed is not packed too tightly so that it can rise easily out of the soil as it grows. The seedling is still at risk of rotting until the seed coat is off, so be sure not to over water. The seed has is a papery outer layer and a hard shell underneath, which you may need to gently assist with the removal of if it is not coming off. In warm climates, plants can be safely transplanted outdoors in a semi-shaded location after they are about 18. Indoors, simply keep it near your window (preferably south, east or west). Feed the plants every two weeks from spring through fall and once a month during the winter with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Ideal humidity is around 50%, but is not essential.

You may also purchase this product on our eBay store by clicking on the link provided.
Visit My eBay Store: SeedBloc

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Argyreia Nervosa-Hawaiian Baby Woodrose Seeds


We added a new product to our eBay website known as Argyreia NervosaHawaiian Baby Woodrose.

We also have added the product to our e-commerce website seedbloc.com


More commonly known as Hawaiian Baby Woodrose or elephant creeper, this perennial flowering vine is in the same family as morning glory (Convolvulaceae) and has similar characteristics. The name Hawaiian Baby Woodrose is said to be derived from the appearance of the seed pods which look like little wooden roses. Its leaves are heart-shaped and its trumpet-shaped flowers are white with deep purple throats. This species is not to be confused with Hawaiian Woodrose, which is another plant entirely. A. Nervosa is said to originate in Asia (Bangladesh) despite the plants more popular association with Hawaii. A. nervosa plants are slow-growing at first but will grow rapidly after reaching about twelve inches and can easily reach thirty feet with maturity. Since A. Nerovsa is a vine, it will need structure to climb and is especially useful in providing floral decor for fences, mailbox and trellis. These plants can be grown outdoors all year round where temperatures do not freeze or be put in pots and be brought indoors for the winter elsewhere. Cuttings can also be taken by layering. The roots, leaves and seeds were used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of purposes including, purification, nervous system support, joint health and sexual arousal. Despite traditional use in India, the seeds should not be used in the United States because they contain compounds that are illegal to ingest. Given its Asian origin, this plant does not appear to have been a part of South American shamanic traditions as some sources indicate. However, it is now cultivated tropical America. These seeds are from ghana.