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wxorx
elsewhere



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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Grey Fox] 1
#27537304 - 11/10/21 03:41 AM (2 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Grey Fox said: Those are beautiful cacti wxorx. Those first two photos really show the beauty of Bridgesii. Any tips for how to grow them? ...
Thanks 
They just stay on my balcony for the whole summer. I water them 2-3 times a week with a lot of water when it is hot (> 25-30 C) and get full sun only from the morning till noon, after that it is shady there. When day temps fall below 15-18 I stop watering them at all. Later in the autumn, when the night temps fall steadily below 10 C for more than two weeks I bring them inside and keep them on a top of a wardrobe until the late spring. The avg temps in the room they stay for the winter varies between 20-23 most of the time. Some ambient light there but not much. No etiolation or nothing during the winter.
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golmo



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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: wxorx]
#27537434 - 11/10/21 06:43 AM (2 years, 2 months ago) |
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watering 2-3 times a week is too frequently. they should get enough water each time you water but the frequency should be once a week or even once every 2 weeks. (soil must get dry)
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: golmo]
#27538304 - 11/10/21 06:54 PM (2 years, 2 months ago) |
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I dont grow in containers. So its interesting to hear what works for folks who do. I imagine that the potting mix will play a big role in how often one can water. Good drainage is really important, especially for Bridgesii. If their roots stay soaked for too long then bad things will happen eventually. Black rot is the biggest killer of these cacti. So in general its better to underwater than to overwater. But people have to find what works best in their climate and setting.
Wxorx your cacti are beautiful. But keep an eye out for black rot. That second photo looks like there are a few small spots of concern. Usually that will heal up on its own if you stop watering for awhile.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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wxorx
elsewhere


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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Grey Fox]
#27540190 - 11/12/21 07:48 AM (2 years, 2 months ago) |
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I don't water if the soil is still humid, I check it with a long toothpick. The soil I use is a mix with a lot of coarse sand and drains very well. When day temps are between 35-38 it just needs water. That time is when my cacti pulls hell fast growth.
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mongo lloyd
Lone Free Ranger



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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: wxorx]
#27540725 - 11/12/21 03:36 PM (2 years, 2 months ago) |
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Very interested in Bridgesii, never come across it though. SP a couple of times, and I have a bag of synthetic to get through. Definitely want to grow a Bridgesii at some point.
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Sub-Easy
slowly dying since birth



Registered: 04/23/21
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Plenty of water will get you hella fast growth, as long as it's working for your dirt. I like to pretty much put them in cold sleep in almost total darkness for the winter.
I just finished off the 1/3 jar I had left from a couple weeks ago. It was a pleasant trip and not very strong, but definitely good. I'm still a little in it about 8 hours later.
I really love how you don't become confused or delusional like with mushrooms or LSD, but you till get that understanding of how everything functions in living things and biological/mental processes.
It's great for helping take control of your mental states and clarity of priorities.
I have education in health care so I don't know why I never took the effort to figure out what was going on with me and my family's health, but it's so easy to see complicated systems when you are in that place in the trip, so I figured out that some of my problems are black mold toxicity and are not related to my heart trouble. It's atherosclerosis for sure. But I'm still waiting for a diagnosis from a doctor.
So basically my heart isn't getting enough blood to supply it's oxygen needed, and I have mycotoxins reeking havock on all the rest of my body, my immune system, and most of my organs, including my brain and hormones.
It's just a shame I have to do drugs to be clear headed enough to figure that out.
I've been racking my brain for a couple months now. I'm pretty much fucked, because I'm a highly skilled tradesman and I can't use my heart for strenuous activity.
I've always had a model healthy lifestyle. Exercise, health diet, low stress, plenty of sleep, and no drugs or drinking other than hallucinogens.
I can't even get to carried away whacking off anymore without trouble.
So stop smoking cigarettes now kids, before it's too late, and I'm only 38.
And also, your family is a living part of you, and you of them. Like any health part of your body, your family is one big body, and everyone has a different function, but when they work in harmony, the big picture is to reduce stress. Even if it's in the form of conflicts, as you grow together, you are fine turned to fulfill different roles. So keep in mind that any complications are perfectly natural and complicated parts of the overall system.
-------------------- Just take um like you get um. Those ephemeral spasms of infinity, in suspended animation, born across a boundless ether of existential misery aloft a revelry (of awe) for the abhorrently sublime.
Edited by Sub-Easy (11/12/21 07:20 PM)
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Sub-Easy]
#27541631 - 11/13/21 10:26 AM (2 years, 2 months ago) |
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That 1/3 jar was more of the PC tea?
Yes the mental clarity from a cactus trip is incredible. I like to think of the experience as a combination of tripping and nootropics. And the effects last. For weeks afterward my mind feels sharper and more clear. The challenge then becomes to sift through all of those ideas and find the lasting gems. And then to apply those insights to real life. Not always easy to do. Peace.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Grey Fox]
#27543617 - 11/14/21 09:12 PM (2 years, 2 months ago) |
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So I cut a couple of cactus today. An unnamed Bridgesii and Trichocereus "El Chapo". They're both fat cuts from good sized plants. Bridgesii was about 6 1/2 feet. El Chapo was about 8 feet. These are the tips from the main columns. Still have to put a tape measure on them, but both are around 2 feet in length. Feels like there is power in these cuts. The life force of these cacti.
I thought about it after cutting them. Figured its probably close to $200 in cactus in today's crazy market. Maybe more. It made me sad to think that this medicine would cost so much, especially since its so easy to grow. Cannabis is like this too.
I figure its 4 "medium" doses or 3 "strong" doses or 2 "very strong" doses. So I figure 3 doses is best. Should be very nice. The combo of this Scop / fat Pach type combined with the Bridgesii, its very nice. Two fat cuts. The tea comes out so nice.
The strength is very solid. There will be visuals. And euphoria. And clarity and healing. The joy. The power. A lot to experience. Looking forward to it.
But for now they age. In the shadows. For weeks. Until the time is right. For Solstice.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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Sub-Easy
slowly dying since birth



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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Grey Fox]
#27543634 - 11/14/21 09:30 PM (2 years, 2 months ago) |
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I got at least another year before I can go again. Got to let them grow. I'm happy for you. These cactus really are in a class of there own when it comes to showing you the best of the planets spirit. Good to think of you in this world somewhere enjoying their blessings. You have a real treasure. Keep them safe.
-------------------- Just take um like you get um. Those ephemeral spasms of infinity, in suspended animation, born across a boundless ether of existential misery aloft a revelry (of awe) for the abhorrently sublime.
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golmo



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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Sub-Easy]
#27543666 - 11/14/21 10:01 PM (2 years, 2 months ago) |
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grey fox, i am confused about the cuttings length. the 6.5 feet and 8 feet are the main cactus length which you cut overall 2 feet of them? so what you mean 3 strong doses are from only those 2 feet? edit: oh i reread for the 3rd time and got it. 2 feet from each. sounds right for 3 doses
Edited by golmo (11/14/21 10:04 PM)
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: golmo]
#27544991 - 11/15/21 10:29 PM (2 years, 2 months ago) |
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Sub-Easy 
Golmo I just measured the cuttings. The El Chapo cutting is 24 inches. The Bridgesii cutting is 27 inches. They are both pretty fat. So if brewed together as tea and then divided 3 ways, that would mean that each serving of tea would be 17 inches worth of thick cactus. Thats right where I want to be.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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CreonAntigone
Stranger

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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Grey Fox]
#27565316 - 12/01/21 08:35 PM (2 years, 1 month ago) |
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I had a conversation with a user here, openmind, about the taste of cactus tea: and he seemed to think it was very unusual that I thought it tasted good.
Having made a very strong tea from a new cutting today, I have to say he was right... but I was also right. He was right that there's an unpleasant taste to the tea for sure, sliminess. The alkaloids produce a sort of crude bitterness. It is very hard to drink. BUT, I think there's good flavors too - almost floral flavors. The problem is to sludgy slimy flavors overwhelm the good flavors.
I recommend this tea method for those with stomach issues: don't reduce down all the way. Reduce down to a volume of about 3 coffee cup's worth. Drink the first two cups quickly, start drinking the last after you are coming up. When the tea isn't reduced down all the way, the bitterness isn't as strong and you can get more flavors. The method of tea to reduce to a shotglass, I could never drink with my nausea. But I can drink tea like this. The tea I made ended up being an dark amber-brown color, a very complex flavor, with a mix of very good and very bad flavors.
But the tea I made was plenty strong... I boiled for quite a long time! Just right now the barrier between colors and the visual space is experiencing somewhat of a dissolution. You don't need to shotgun the cactus tea in a small sitting to trip... slow and steady works. Just start with a higher volume of water before the boiling process.
The sensation of sipping the tea slowly after you are already up is wild... give it a shot!
Oh and I should add I don't do any fasting at all... I have to keep my food schedule even when I use psychedelics. Nausea is reduced for me when I have it 2 hours or so after a good meal, so the stomach is settled. It may be 'stronger' with fasting, but I'd rather treat bridgesii as a good flavor and not have any nausea from it.
Edited by CreonAntigone (12/01/21 08:58 PM)
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Grey Fox

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-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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Sub-Easy
slowly dying since birth



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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Grey Fox]
#27565444 - 12/01/21 10:30 PM (2 years, 1 month ago) |
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Mine wasn't slimy. But it was hard to drink. Very bitter.
I didn't have any trouble eating it whole, but that doesn't work unless it's a really potent plant. It's to much to eat.
It's not easy to do with a small amount, but it's not too hard to do an acid/base extraction.
I guess that's what it's called when you make it pure, I've studied it a lot, just never done it.
I almost can remember the method without a Tek to look at, so it can't be that hard.
I understand the chemistry anyway.
Now the powder is the way to go. It's great. Just harder to find
-------------------- Just take um like you get um. Those ephemeral spasms of infinity, in suspended animation, born across a boundless ether of existential misery aloft a revelry (of awe) for the abhorrently sublime.
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CreonAntigone
Stranger

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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Sub-Easy]
#27565499 - 12/01/21 11:57 PM (2 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Sub-Easy said: Now the powder is the way to go. It's great. Just harder to find
Yes powder would be great - that could easily be mixed into fruit juice.
There is probably some TEK for turning a cutting into powder, somewhere... any ideas? I will do some research if no one else has something. It probably isn't hard. Some process that would be similar to drying shrooms. Maybe even the same process? Perhaps cutting out the more-active green pieces, then in a dehydrator? That'd probably obtain powder.
Quote:
Having made a very strong tea from a new cutting today,
I will update on this. A very good idea, very very good decision, one of the best I've made in a while to make a tea from my cutting and drink it all!
Personal revelations came bubbling to the surface... in the most sublime way.
Nothing was as it seemed, but everything was OK.
All the gates were opened, for one night everything was possible: that is the only place where one can start healing.
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Mike4aco
Soy el pinche guey



Registered: 11/28/15
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This thread is really cool thanks grey fox for posting. I have tried a few different named clones, such as medicine man, foolsbreath, and I have sampled others as well, but always as a mix with other parts of my garden which has died. In my experience, a tea containing bridgesii is much stronger than a tea containing ay combination of only pachanoi and peruvianus.
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Mike4aco]
#27567249 - 12/03/21 06:38 AM (2 years, 1 month ago) |
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There is something special about Bridgesii. It has that extra intensity. It reliably produces visual changes if you take enough. I always add some to the tea. Even if the tea is partly or mostly made from Pachanoi or some other species, if there is also Bridgesii in the tea then you know it will have that extra "kick" to it. Bridgesii gives me more nausea and muscle tension compared to the other species. But when Bridgesii is brewed together with Pachanoi or another Trich species the tea gives me less of those physical problems, while still being strong and visually stimulating.
I used to eat the raw cactus. I would pull the spines, peel off the clear skin, and chop the cactus into chunks to chow down on. That way you really taste the flavor. Bridgesii was always more bitter tasting than the others. If you eat another species of Trich along with the Bridgesii then the difference in bitterness is quite noticable.
At first the flavor of cactus didn't seem too bad. But the more I ate it the worse it started to taste. Kind of like developing a taste aversion over time. Thats why I eventually switched to tea.
The nice thing about tea is that you are able to concentrate a large amount of cactus material into a small amout of liquid to consume. In that regard it is more efficient than just eating the cactus. But I found that to get to the same level of intensity it was necessary to use more cactus when brewing tea compared to eating it. For example, it might take an 18 inch piece of cactus brewed as tea to get the same strength high as eating 12 inches of that same cactus. So the tea is not as effective at getting all of the alkaloids compared to when you just eat the cactus, because by eating it you will get 100% of the alkaloids. Brewimg tea (which is just another way of saying "performing a water based extraction") or performing any sort of extraction can never get 100% of the alkaloids. Some are always lost in the process or still left behind in the plant material.
But the trade off is worth it. I look at these cacti as lifelong companions. Over the years they are going to produce A LOT of plant material, and you are going to end up propagating more and eventually end up with way more cactus than you originally bargained for. Its only a matter of time. Thats why I always encourage people to not cut them when they are still small. Let them grow to a certain point - say 4 feet or so - before you cut them. Once they reach that critical mass then they are really able to start producing a lot of growth. And cuttings become more powerful as the plant grows larger and more mature.
But the beauty of the tea is that it is possible to trip on as much cactus as you want to, and it is still just a small size to actually consume, because the tea can be reduced down to a small amount. I have found that when the tea is more concentrated it tends to hit faster and the onset is more intense. But the concentrated tea also tastes worse and is harsher on the stomach. A more watery tea tastes less nasty, but it is harder work to drink that larger amount. And if the volume is too large then that can also cause stomach problems too. You have to find the happy middle ground that works for you where the tea is concentrated down enough to make it a manageable amount to consume, but where it is not so concentrated that it is sickening to drink. The last few times I have reduced 18 inches of cactus down to 4 or 5 ounces of tea, and that feels just right for me.
Some things have helped me with making the tea more palatable. If the tea is scorched while it is being reduced down then it becomes much harder to drink. As the tea is reducing, especially as the amount of liquid in the pot becomes low, it is easy to burn the tea. It will become dark brown or even black. This makes it harder to drink and it gives worse nausea. I also wonder what this does to the full spectrum of alkaloids found in the tea. So care should be taken to not let the tea burn at the end while reducing.
Its also very important to filter out and then later decant as much of the plant matter as possible from the tea. Those fine particles floating in the tea will make you sick. The tea should not look like a sludge. It should be a tea, not a smoothie. Filter it as best as possible at the end of the brew. Then let is sit in the fridge in a sealed container for a few days. Gently pour off and save the liquid. That is your tea. Throw away the sediment left at the bottom of the container. YOU DON'T WANT TO DRINK THE SEDIMENT. It will make you sick. Even when you drink your tea, if there is some sediment at the bottom of the glass, don't drink it. Just discard the sediment after you drink the liquid.. Its not worth it to consume the sediment. The alkaloids are in the liquid. The sediment and material that settles to the bottom is not what you want.
The great thing about these cacti is that they become companions that stay with you for many years. They have the ability to outlive us all when properly cared for. Just keep growimg them and spending time with them and getting to know them. They will become old friends and over time you will get to know what works for you.
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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Mike4aco
Soy el pinche guey



Registered: 11/28/15
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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Grey Fox]
#27567303 - 12/03/21 07:38 AM (2 years, 1 month ago) |
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If you like to see what other cactus you might be able to try in a brew message me! I have a couple ideas of a few you could check into if you're interested. If I post here I'm afraid it will be super off topic
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Grey Fox

Registered: 01/22/15
Posts: 2,652
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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Mike4aco]
#27591677 - 12/23/21 09:49 AM (2 years, 1 month ago) |
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So my cuttings have been aging all this time. I didnt get a chance to brew them yet due to some unexpected problems with my fridge that left me with no place to put the tea. But the fridge is getting fixed today so soon I will be able to make the tea. It looks like my Solstice trip has become a New Years trip LOL.
I did get a chance to eat some mushroom based chocolates a few nights before the Solstice. It made me miss the cactus tea even more. There's nothing like cactus tea as far as I'm concerned, especially when there is Bridgesii in the brew.
I hope all you cactus folks are doing well and having a happy holiday season!
-------------------- IT WAS ALL A DREAM
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Sub-Easy
slowly dying since birth



Registered: 04/23/21
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Re: Bridgesii Thread [Re: Grey Fox]
#27591759 - 12/23/21 10:59 AM (2 years, 1 month ago) |
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I just got the seeds I planted late in the spring of this year, repotted.
They are doing so good, and I have them in cold storage.
I just slowly stop watering, then put them in a cold dark room right before the first frost, and that works great.
The hardware cloth (chicken wire), is to keep mice from finding them.
I had to buy three ferrets to protect my other ones last winter, but I got rid of the farrets.
They are not easy pets to keep.
I know a great way to do a acid/base deal, but does anyone know how hard it is to do the next extra step for cleaning it up to a perfect powder?
I know it's supposed to be very difficult if you want to get it to the last, top quality stage.
-------------------- Just take um like you get um. Those ephemeral spasms of infinity, in suspended animation, born across a boundless ether of existential misery aloft a revelry (of awe) for the abhorrently sublime.
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