Bert Hendriksen
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

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Letter to Editor:

Hi Valery,

I just love your Cultivar Magazine!
Let me know what you think about my Astrophytum caput-medusae seedling ?
Bert Hendriksen
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

I had my first Astrophytum caput-medusae seedling just germinate October 3 2006. I had bought two seeds but only one germinated. I have four more seeds on the way. It will be very interesting to see what the seeds from this plant will produce.

Photo 1. (Not my Photo) used only for comparison.

A one week old normal seedling should have 2 cotyledons and no center growth.

My photos will explain the rest.

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Photo 2. Day 1 - Oct. 3 2006 Astrophytum caput-medusae I had to removed the seed husk .Under the seed husk was a strange growth plus 4 cotyledons. Three on the outside and one inside with a strange growth on it. Photo taken through a microscope.

Photo 3. Day 3. Astrophytum caput-medusae seedling showing fourth cotyledon with strange growth.

Photo 4. Day 12 Astrophytum caput-medusae seedling

Photo 5. Day 20 - Oct. 23 2006 Today - Astrophytum caput-medusae seedling growing a stem.

Photo 6. Day 20 Astrophytum caput-medusae seedling showing a flat stem growing from the base of the center growth. Notice the wide areole.

That's it, up to date as of today! What do you think?

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