Rejoined the ant plant fraternity

[estación seca]

I have four seedlings from two Hydnophytum simplex fruits I was given.

Last time I tried ant plants was about 1997. As soon as I took the cover off the sprouted seeds they dried to crisps. This time I'll let them get a little bigger in the sprouting box, then put them in a terrarium for keeps.

The seedlings are too small to photograph with my mobile phone. Maybe I'll haul out the DSL and macro lens later when I'm trying to avoid some housework.

A lot of members of the Henry Shaw Cactus Society in St Louis, MO grow these. Outdoors in their humid summer is fine. Wintering indoors in the kitchen window seems to do well for them.

[Leafmite]

I had to read up on these because I was unfamiliar with them. Pretty neat what a nice relationship they have with ants.

Good luck with your seedlings.

I am always amazed by the variety of plants and the adaptations they make to survive. It is difficult for me to imagine ever becoming bored with my plant hobby as there is always so much more to learn.