#alternative substrates

[captaindomy]

Alternative substrates based on green compost in Agave victoria-reginae and Agave striata minima

Author: Domenico Prisa * CREA Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Via dei Fiori 8, 51012 Pescia, PT, Italy. Research Article GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023, 24(03), 022–027. Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2023.24.3.0357 DOI url: https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2023.24.3.0357 Publication history:  Received on…

[botanyshitposts]

Hi, out of curiosity...can we actually propagate lichens in our backyards? Is it feasible? It seems like a good idea to help or allow them thrive in residential areas

ok ive gotten asks like this before and the answer is that like... unless you're a lichen researcher person and youre gathering existing lichens of the species you want outside and culturing them on plates in a lab for an experiment (how lichens are grown in a lab if i remember correctly because growing one from scratch with a fungal spore and a compatible algal spore still doesnt work, you still need the sourdough starter, and even then it takes a long time and is really hard), for the most part the lichens, they command respect in a way that plants dont, you see. the lichen chooses to grow where it wants, when it wants. it chooses the substrate and conditions and sticks to it. those microhabitats are hard to replicate and they take so long to grow and are so variable in their preferences, my advice is that if you want to have more lichens in your life, look into what organic substrates you want to attract wants, and leave those substrates lying around or growing in your backyard untouched for 10+ years. or alternatively find a patch and visit them. or alternatively move to a coastline if you havent already because they love the mist that rolls in and the temperate temperatures.

may i suggest visiting an old graveyard that doesnt scrape them off regularly? because they are loving graveyards let me tell you. perhaps an old retaining wall or big tree that for some reason has a lot of them on there while the other trees don't have as much. lichens are the kings of seeing one hyperspecific substance and going I Sleep and then seeing the same substance 4 feet to the left and going oh nevermind the 17-year-4-month-old-cinderblock-remnants-with-a-ittle-bit-of-dirty-water-dribbling-on-them-enjoyers have logged tf on actually

[macgyvermedical]

I encountered a drug called "Dextromethorphan" when looking up things that react with grapefruits for a fic. I found out it's been banned in Sweden since the 90s, so I couldn't use it for this specific story, but if you've got any interesting history I'd be happy so know!

Are you ready for this? Like. Ask yourself. Are you really ready for this?

In 1954, a researcher with the US Public Health Service received $282,215 (1954 dollars) from the US Navy, ostensibly to find a non-addictive alternative to an opiate drug called codeine (used for pain and and as a cough suppressant).

So the researcher found a bunch of people who had substance abuse disorder and tested 800 substances on them, trying to find ones that couldn't cause physical or psychological dependence, even on people who were prone to that sort of thing.

(Now, you might be asking if this experiment was ethical. The USPHS was concurrently doing the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study, so while I couldn't find any concrete answer, imma guess no.)

Out of these 800 tested substances, we use 3 today: propoxyphene (used as a painkiller), diphenoxylate (used as a diarrhea medication), and dextromethophan (a cough suppressant (and, as of 2022, part of a fast-acting antidepressant)).

Importantly, it was later noted that all of these are addictive substances and today most of them require a prescription. Though depending on where you are in the world, you might just have to be over 21 and show an ID.

You might think this sounds like a pretty standard story.

You would be wrong.

Because while the US Navy was the one handing the money to the USPHS, the US Navy had come by it via the Central Intelligence Agency.

Yes. The good ol' CIA.

So what stake did the CIA have in a non-addictive codeine replacement? Nothing, it turns out. That's just what they'd told the US Navy. What they really wanted was an incapacitant- a drug that causes incapacitation like unconsciousness or continuous hallucinations- without killing. Incapacitants are also useful for discrediting prominent political figures by making them look like they have severe mental health concerns, which was another reason the CIA wanted them.

This was part of a project called MKPILOT.

And wouldn't you like to know which of the three listed above they liked the most? Dextromethorphan. Because at high doses it causes severe- and incapacitating- hallucinations (this is also why it is banned in Sweden).

The problem with it is that it requires really, really high doses (about 3 grams, which would have to be packaged in some other substrate)- this would make it difficult to slip into a drink or food.

(It should be noted that around the same time, the US Army was doing research into a much more usable incapacitant called 3-Quinuclidinyl Benzilate which required as little as 150mg of the substance to be useful- it was featured in a MacGyver episode and I did a nice little review of it here. While I have no sources that say the CIA was directly involved in funding this, based on their extensive funding of similar DoD projects at the time, they probably did.)

But you wanted to know about how grapefruit interacts with dextromethorphan:

A substance in grapefruit (along with seville oranges, limes, pomelos, and possibly pomegranates) blocks the pathway by which many drugs are metabolized in the liver. This causes the levels of drug in the body to be much higher than expected. In the case of dextromethorphan in particular, it can mean that the drug stays in the body a lot longer- up to 24 hours instead of the usual 3-4 hours. It can also make side effects and toxic effects significantly worse, leading to hallucinations and sedation, even at low doses normally used for coughing.

[adventuresofchip]

An alternate tessellation of the radiolarial substrate // The same old song, but a new voice singing in a different key

[callmedaleelah]

— Pinnacle [ tsukishima kei university au series ]

— and i don’t know how it gets better than this ; let’s take a look on how a month of a relationship would be like

author’s notes : no mention of (y/n), written in second person pov, semi alternative universe, timeskip!tsukishima, college life, not proofread, english is not my first language

[ masterlist ] | [ ask daleelah go to box box 🐭 ]

Do you want to have lunch in the cafeteria?

As you were packing up your notes and preparing to head back to the dorm after a long day of classes, your phone buzzed softly in your pocket.

The text was from Tsukishima, and your heart did a little flip as you read it. It had only been two minutes since your class ended, and he was already asking to meet up. A small smile tugged at your lips as you began typing back.

My mom just sent me lunch 🥹

Heading to dorm now

you quickly replied, trying hard to suppress the giddiness that threatened to spill over. It had been a month since you started dating, and even though the relationship still felt new and exciting, there was a comforting familiarity in the way Tsukishima showed his affection—always understated, never excessive, but undeniably present.

The phone buzzed again.

Stop walking. I’m behind you.

You froze mid-step, instinctively turning around to see him standing there, his tall frame leaning casually against a nearby lamppost. His expression was as unreadable as always, but the faint smirk on his lips gave him away. Your cheeks warmed with the blush that spread across your face, and your smile bloomed wider.

Tsukishima walked toward you, closing the distance with a calm, measured pace. When he reached you, his hand gently ruffled your hair, tousling it just enough to make it messy. But before you could protest, he smoothed it back down, his fingers moving with surprising gentleness. You felt a warmth bubble up inside you at the small act of care.

Without a word, he took your hand in his, his long fingers intertwining with yours as you both began walking toward your dorm. His grip was firm, steady, and familiar. It was these small gestures that always caught you off guard—how someone as stoic as him could show affection in such quiet, tender ways.

As you walked, he glanced down at you.

“So, how was class?” he asked, his tone casual but interested.

You shrugged lightly, trying to think of something coherent to say despite the fluttering in your chest. “It was okay, I guess. We had a lecture on enzyme kinetics today. It’s... complicated. We’re learning about how different substrates affect reaction rates and how to calculate Vmax and Km using Lineweaver-Burk plots. It’s kinda overwhelming.” You chuckled, trying to play it off, but the truth was, biochemistry wasn’t getting any easier. The second semester was filled with more challenging topics—metabolism, enzyme mechanisms, and signal transduction pathways. Sometimes it felt like your brain was spinning in circles trying to keep up.

Tsukishima’s thumb brushed over the back of your hand in a soothing motion. “Hmm, sounds like you’re managing,” he commented, his voice low and cool, but there was an underlying sense of approval in his words. “Just don’t overthink it.”

You nodded, appreciating his subtle encouragement, even if it was delivered in the most Tsukishima way possible.

When the two of you reached your dorm, you invited him inside. “You can sit down,” you said, motioning to the low table as you slipped off your shoes. “I’ll get us some tea.”

Tsukishima didn’t argue, simply settling himself comfortably at the table. He stretched out his long legs under the table, leaning back with that same calm, collected demeanor. You poured two glasses of iced barley tea, setting them down on the table along with the meal your mom had sent. Two plates of rice, grilled mackerel, miso soup, and some side dishes—enough for the both of you.

“I’m glad you came with me to the dorm,” you said, sitting across from him. “Finally, someone can help me eat all of this food. My mom keeps sending more than I can finish.”

Tsukishima let out a soft sigh, clearly unimpressed by your complaint, but he said nothing. Instead, he picked up his chopsticks and muttered a quiet, “Itadakimasu,” before digging in.

“Itadakimasu,” You started eating as well, savoring the familiar flavors of homemade food. But halfway through, you felt your hair falling into your face, getting in the way as you tried to eat. You pushed it back with your hand, annoyed, but it kept slipping forward again.

Tsukishima’s gaze shifted toward you, and without saying a word, Tsukishima stood up and walked over to your desk. You looked up, confused, but before you could ask what he was doing, he grabbed a hairpin from the top drawer. Moving with quiet precision, he came over and gently swept your hair back, securing it in place with the pin. His fingers brushed against your temple as he worked, and you felt your face heat up, your heart pounding in your chest.

“There,” he said simply, stepping back as if nothing had happened, as if tying your hair was just another mundane task. But the subtle softness in his actions didn’t go unnoticed by you.

You sat there, momentarily stunned by the unexpected act of care. Your face felt like it was on fire, but you managed a small, “Thank you,” before quickly looking down at your food, hoping he wouldn’t notice how flustered you were.

Of course, Tsukishima noticed. He always did. But instead of teasing you about it, he simply returned to his seat and resumed eating, as if tying your hair was no big deal. Still, the softness of the gesture lingered in the air between you, a quiet reminder of the tenderness he hid behind his stoic exterior.

A few moments passed in comfortable silence before Tsukishima spoke again, his tone as cool and casual as ever. “I’m going grocery shopping after this. Want to come?”

You almost choked on your rice at the sudden question, nodding a bit too enthusiastically in response. “Yeah, I’ll come,” you said, trying to sound calm, even though your heart was still fluttering from earlier. You avoided his gaze, focusing on your food instead, hoping he wouldn’t notice how nervous he still made you.

But of course, he noticed. You caught the faintest hint of a smirk on his face before he resumed eating, completely unfazed. And somehow, that only made your heart race even faster.

The clinking of silverware against the plates was the only sound between you and Tsukishima as you both finished dinner. It was a quiet moment, but not awkward—just the kind of comfortable silence that had begun to settle naturally between you two. You were about to gather the dishes when Tsukishima leaned back, glancing at you with a knowing look.

“You can go change. I’ll wash the dishes,” he said, his voice carrying that soft, direct tone that you’d come to recognize as one of his small acts of care.

You blinked, a little surprised, your hand freezing just as you were about to reach for the plates. Did he know that you had planned to rush to the sink—hoping to clean up quickly so you could change and head to the grocery store with him? The realization that he had noticed, or perhaps just anticipated your routine, made your heart warm slightly. But before you could protest or offer to help, Tsukishima stood up, gathering the dirty plates himself, his long fingers deftly handling the stack as he carried them to the sink.

For a moment, you just watched him—admiring the subtle way his back muscles shifted beneath his shirt, his movements smooth and efficient as he began rinsing the dishes. A soft sigh escaped you as you thought about how thoughtful he was. Being romantic and naturally kind were two different things, right? But with Tsukishima, the lines always seemed to blur. Maybe he wasn’t the overly affectionate type, but his quiet actions spoke volumes.

“You’re going to change, or just stand there staring?” His voice pulled you from your thoughts, and your face immediately warmed in embarrassment. Tsukishima wasn’t even looking at you, but he’d sensed it all.

With a quick jump, “I-I’m going!” you grabbed a fresh set of clothes from your drawer and hurried to the bathroom to change. You could hear the faint sound of water running and plates clinking as he washed the dishes, and you couldn’t help but feel a little guilty for letting him do it.

Once you’d collected your clothes, you changed in the bathroom, letting the coolness of your new outfit calm your sudden rush of emotions. The fact that he had noticed such small details about you, that he had even anticipated your next move, made your heart race in a way you weren’t used to.

When you stepped out of the bathroom, feeling refreshed in your clean clothes, Tsukishima was already waiting by the door. His tall figure leaned casually against the doorway, his eyes flicking to you briefly before he reached out his hand. You took it quickly, slipping on your sneakers with your free hand, the warmth of his palm making you feel slightly more at ease.

As you both stepped outside into the early evening air, the streets were quiet, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Tsukishima unlocked his car with a beep, and as he always did, he opened the passenger door for you, gesturing for you to get in first. You couldn’t help but smile as you slid into the seat, appreciating the small gesture.

He walked around to the driver’s side and got in, starting the car with a low rumble. As he pulled out onto the street, the golden sunlight filtering through the trees created an almost dreamlike atmosphere inside the car. You snuck a glance at him—his profile lit by the warm light, the subtle focus in his eyes as he drove, his grip steady on the steering wheel. There was something comforting about being next to him like this, in the quiet space that only the two of you occupied.

“Didn’t think you were the type to leave dirty dishes behind,” he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he looked at you sideways.

You laughed softly, squeezing his hand lightly in return. “I didn’t plan on it! You just swooped in so quickly.”

He hummed in acknowledgment, his eyes focused ahead. “Thought I’d spare you from rushing around.”

You smiled at his words, appreciating how well he knew you. He always seemed to understand the little things you didn’t even realize about yourself.

There was a beat of silence before he spoke again, this time in a quieter tone. “You want to get ice cream after I’m done with groceries?” he asked, glancing at you briefly before parking the car.

The mention of ice cream caught you off guard, and before you could even think about it, your face lit up with a grin. “Yes, please,” you answered eagerly, though you tried to keep your tone polite, not wanting to seem too excited. But Tsukishima noticed anyway, the faintest hint of a smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

“Thought you’d like that,” he muttered, a bit of teasing in his voice as he unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car. You couldn’t help but feel a bit giddy as you followed him into the store, his hand slipping into yours once more as if it was second nature.

The cool air of the grocery store greeted you as the automatic doors slid open. Tsukishima walked beside you, casually pushing the cart with one hand, while his other hand remained intertwined with yours. It was a small gesture, but it made your heart flutter. You glanced around the store, noting how brightly lit it was, rows of fresh produce on one side, aisles of packaged goods on the other. The slight hum of people moving about and the soft background music made the atmosphere feel almost peaceful.

Tsukishima paused for a moment, glancing at the list on his phone before steering the cart toward the vegetable section. His brows furrowed slightly in concentration, his long fingers tapping at the screen. You watched him for a moment, admiring how focused he seemed even with something as mundane as grocery shopping. It made you smile—how someone so seemingly distant and cool could still care about the little details.

“What?” Tsukishima asked, catching your gaze.

You quickly looked away, feeling your cheeks heat up. “Nothing, just… you look really serious about those vegetables,” you teased, trying to hide your fluster.

He raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the pile of vegetables in front of him. “Well, we need good ones. I’m not buying anything that’ll go bad in a day,” he replied, his tone neutral, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

When he reached the hygiene aisle, he turned to you unexpectedly, “What hair product do you use?”

You blinked, surprised by the question. “Uh, I just buy whatever shampoo catches my eye each month. But my mom got me this hair mask and said I should use it every week.”

“What hair mask?” he asked, curiosity clear in his tone.

You walked a few steps to the shelf where the product was and pointed to a tub. “This one. It smells like cocoa,” you explained, trying not to sound too self-conscious.

Tsukishima took the container, examining it for a moment. “Why’s it so expensive for a hair product?” he mumbled under his breath. You couldn’t help but laugh softly at his confusion.

Suddenly, he reached out and gently picked up a strand of your hair, bringing it closer to his nose. “I was curious because your hair always smells nice,” he said casually, placing the container back on the shelf and moving to the next item. You stood there momentarily, blushing at the compliment, even though he had said it so nonchalantly.

Trying to hide the warmth creeping up your face, you fell back into step behind him, the interaction replaying in your head. After he finished collecting everything on his list, you both made your way to the cashier. The line moved slowly, but Tsukishima handed you his card before you had a chance to say anything.

“Go ahead and get the ice cream. I’ll meet you there after I pay for this,” he said, nodding toward the ice cream shop across the street.

Your face lit up at the suggestion. “What flavor do you want?” you asked, barely able to contain your excitement.

“Surprise me,” he replied with a small smile, clearly amused by your enthusiasm.

You grinned widely and, holding onto his card, headed toward the ice cream shop, trying to decide on the perfect flavor combination that would do the “surprise” justice. Tsukishima, meanwhile, watched you leave with a soft chuckle, shaking his head at how effortlessly happy you seemed when it came to something as simple as ice cream.

You looked over the options, your eyes drawn to the more unique flavors. “One cup of vanilla yuzu and one cup of blueberry sea salt, please,” you told the employee with a polite smile.

There was something thrilling about trying new flavors—your mom had always been the type to stick to the basics, buying you plain vanilla or chocolate, often with the cautionary “what if you don’t like it and throw it away?” But today, you wanted something different, something adventurous.

As you received the cups, Tsukishima walked into the shop, immediately spotting you. You smiled instinctively when you saw him, feeling a rush of warmth at the sight of him. He pointed toward a small table near the window, a cozy spot bathed in the fading golden light of the evening. You followed him as he pulled out a chair for you to sit first—a small, but appreciated gesture that made your heart skip.

Once you were both settled, Tsukishima glanced at the ice cream cups you placed on the table. His eyes shifted to you with mild curiosity. “What’s this?”

You grinned, practically buzzing with excitement to see how he’d react to the flavors. “Just try it,” you urged him, sliding one of the cups toward him.

He picked up the small plastic spoon and dipped it into the vanilla yuzu first, bringing the bite to his lips. His expression remained neutral, but you noticed the way his eyes softened slightly as he savored the taste, the sweetness of vanilla melding with the citrusy sharpness of yuzu.

“It’s good,” he said simply, placing the spoon down.

Your smile widened. “Yeah? Try this one,” you added, offering him a spoonful of the blueberry sea salt.

As he leaned in and took the spoon from your hand, you suddenly remembered the time he had casually sipped from your cup of hot chocolate before you got in a relationship. The memory made your cheeks flush slightly, and you quickly turned your attention back to your own ice cream, feeling the heat rise to your face.

Tsukishima hummed quietly in approval as he tasted the blueberry, though he didn’t comment further. His calm demeanor never wavered, but you could tell he preferred the first flavor from the subtle way his attention shifted back to the vanilla yuzu cup.

For a while, the two of you ate in comfortable silence, the sounds of the shop around you blending into the background. The occasional clink of spoons against the cups, the soft hum of conversation from other customers—it all felt peaceful, like time had slowed down just for you two.

After a few more bites, Tsukishima broke the silence. “I’m gonna be busy for the next two days,” he said, his tone casual, but his gaze fixed on you. “You okay with that?”

You smiled, shrugging nonchalantly. “Of course. We used to see each other by coincidence, remember? I can manage two days without you,” you replied, your voice light and playful.

Tsukishima’s lips curled slightly in amusement, his eyes glinting with a teasing edge. “Yeah—thought I should give you the experience of missing your boyfriend’s presence now that you have one.”

The teasing tone made your heart skip a beat, and before you knew it, you were playfully nudging his side, laughing at his comment. Tsukishima smirked, though there was a warmth behind it—a quiet understanding that, despite his teasing, you’d miss him more than you were letting on.

sorry i didn’t upload it sooner, and i missed kei’s birthday—bit i promise to post about it tomorrow, so i hope you guys still wait for this story to finish 🥹🥹

it’s been so hectic guys—but i miss writing and see your comments—they always lighten up my mood 🫶🏻✨🤧

tagslist (free to mention) ; @theweirdfloatything @snowthatareblack @ilovemymomscooking @nayiiryun @knightofmidnight @kozumesphone @scxrcherr @thechaosoflonging @monya-febrjack

[bethanythebogwitch]

Wet Beast Wednesday: giant tube worms

You voted that I would talk about a worm and so I shall discuss the mighty giant tube worms. But first, we need to define what a tube worm is. This is another "no such thing as a fish" situation because there are actually a lot of different things we call tube worms. Turns out the "noodle in a tube" body plan is a pretty successful one. The worms I'm discussing today are members of Siboglinidae, a family of annelids (segmented worms) that was formerly classified as two different phyla until genetic evidence came in. I will primarily be talking about two species: Riftia pachyptila and Lamellibrachia luymesi, who have both adapted to distinct extreme environments in similar ways.

(Image ID: multiple patches of Riftia pachyptila growing from rock at a deep-sea hydrothermal vent. The worms are housed in long, white tubes, some stained yellow. Emerging from the tubes are respiratory organs covered in what appears to be red fur. End ID)

All members of Siboglinidae share a basic body plan consisting of a worm body inside of a mineral tube (side not, I think I will be including an orc or ogre named Sibog in my D&D campaign). The tube is composed of chitin and minerals and is secreted through glands along the body of the worm as it grows from larva to adult. The tube provides the worm within with protection from predators and environmental hazards while also providing support, allowing the worm to lift itself up into the water rather than remain on the substrate. The tube either connects to a solid object or is rooted in the sediment with extensions called roots. The roots are composed of the same material as the tube and can be considerably longer than the rest of the worm, though they are so fragile it is hard to study them. Since the worms often live in large congregations, their roots can twist together is massive mats called ropes. The inside of the tube is where you get into the squishy worm parts. The body of the worm is divided into four regions. The first of these regions I found many alternate names for while researching including cephalic lobe and branchial plume. I'm going to simplify and call it the plume because this segment is composed of one to 200 tentacles that are covered with feathery filaments that can make it look like the plume of a quill pen. The feathery portions of the plume are usually red because they are highly vascularized and filled with blood, similar to a fish's gils. The plume is used for respiration, taking in dissolved oxygen and (depending on the species) other dissolved gasses from the water. In most species, the plume is the only part of the body that extends from the tube. When in the presence of threats, the plume can withdraw into the tube, which can then be close with a structure called the obtraculum, similarly to the operculum found in many other invertebrates like snails. The second body region is the vestimentum. It has a winged shape and is composed of multiple bands of muscle. The vestimentum also contains the heart, a simple brain, and genital pores that release gametes. The third body region, which makes up most of the body, is the trunk. The trunk is the wormiest part of the worm and contains the gonads, the coelom (main body cavity), and the trophosome, which I will come back to later. The last body region is the opistosome, which connects the animal to the tube and is used to store and (maybe) excrete waste.

(Image ID: the tubeworm Lamellicrachia satsuma removed from its tube to show its anatomy. It has a plume made up of multiple feathery white tentacles, the vestimentum is a thick white section with flared tips, the trunk is long, brown, and wormlike, and ends with the yellowish opistosome. The body regions are labeled as "op" for opistosome, "tr" for trunk, "ves" for vestimentum, and "ten" for the plume. End ID. Source)

You'll notice that I didn't mention a digestive tract above. That's because these worms don't have one. Instead of a digestive tract, they have a trophosome, an organ composed of highly spongy tissue vascularized by two main blood vessels. Housed within the trophosome is a colony of bacteria that exists in a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with the worm. The worm provides the bacteria with a place to live and protection from predators while the bacteria provide the worm with all of its nutrition. The bacteria are all chemoautotrophs, gaining all their nutrition from chemical reactions using chemicals in their environment without needing to intake nutrients. In particular, they use oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide provided to them by the worm. The worm also provides other elements including nitrogen and phosphorus that the bacteria need. I'm going to be honest with you, I tried to comprehend the chemical reactions involved but it's been a long time since I took chemistry and I was never that good anyway so it's over my head. The short version is that the bacteria produces nutrients and chemicals (primarily carbohydrates and ATP) that it shares with the worm. Waste products are also sent into the worm's bloodstream and are sequestered at the opistosome.

(Image ID: a scientific diagram of the internal anatomy of Riftia pachyptila. Of note is the section showing the trophosome, illustrating it as several yellow, spongy cells filled with bacteria and fed by a capillary. End ID. Source)

The most famous of the tube worms is Riftia pachyptila, which you will recognize if you have ever seen a documentary about the deep sea. They're the ones that look like giant tubes of lipstick. These are the most studied of the Siboglinids and live around hydrothermal vents in the deep pacific ocean. Hydrothermal vents are places on the seafloor where water underground is heated by geothermal activity in the Earth's mantle and then released into the water column, often carrying with it chemicals from deeper in the planet. These vents are hotspots of biodiversity in the deep sea and are hypothesized to play a major role in the origin of life. These ecosystems are among the only ones on the planet where the primary source of energy is not sunlight via photosynthesizing organisms. Instead, chemosynthetic bacteria forms the base of the trophic web, generating energy from the heat and chemicals released by the vents. Riftia requires vents which release sulfur into the water and blanket vents with the right conditions all throughout the Pacific. The lifestyle clearly works for them as they have the fastest grown rate of any marine animal. They can go from a larva to a sexually mature adult of 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) long in 2 years. These worms can reach 3 meters in length (9.75 ft) long, but only get to about 4 cm (1.5 in) in diameter within the tube. When reproducing, males will release blobs of stuck-together sperm called spermatozeugmata that collectively swim towards female worms, entering the tube and seeking out the female's oviduct. The female then releases fertilized larvae into the water. These larvae usually spend a few days in the water column before settling down on the substrate and beginning growth into an adult. However, the larvae have been known to reach newly-formed hot vents up to 200 kilometers away from their parent's vents. We don't know how the larvae find new sites to colonize or how long they can remain in the initial, motile state before succumbing to starvation as the larvae do not have digestive tracts and do not develop their internal bacterial colony until they settle down on the substrate. Once the larva does settle down, it develops its internal colony by intaking bacteria from the water using the plume. Riftia are some of the first organisms to colonize a new vent and play a major role in building that vent's ecosystem. Genetic tests show low genetic diversity amongst and between all colonies, which may be a result of how fast they colonize new vents and the fact that if a vent goes dormant or dies, all of the local worms will die with it.

(Image ID: a cluster of Rifita tubeworms, most of whom have their red, feathery plumes exposed. Some tubes do not have exposed plumes, indicating that either the worm has retracted into the tube or the worm has died. Several crabs are crawling on the tubes. End ID)

The other giant tube worm species I'm spotlighting is Lamellibrachia luymesi. These aren't as flamboyant as Riftia, but can get nearly as large (up to 3 meters) and also play a very important role in their ecosystems, though they are less studied. While Riftia likes it hot, Lamellibrachia is more chill. They live at cold seeps, places in the ocean where hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons like methane and oil seep out of the sea floor. Like Riftia, these worms depend entirely on an internal bacterial colony for their nutrition. Oxygen is intaken through the plume, but these worms can't get hydrogen sulfide the same way due to the different conditions. Instead, they absorb the sulfide through their roots. While the hot and cold worms absorb their hydrogen sulfide differently, they both have an adaptation to deal with it: specialized hemoglobin. Most forms of hemoglobin can't carry oxygen in the presence of hydrogen sulfide, which is a problem because that's the whole point of hemoglobin. The tube worms, who need to transport hydrogen sulfide, have specialized hemoglobin that seems to use zinc ions to allow for oxygen to bind to it anyway. The cold seep tube worms also excrete their waste products through the roots, returning it to the sediment. The intake of hydrogen sulfide and sequestering of the wast product in the roots and sediment lets the tube worms play an important role in the cold seep ecosystem. Them intaking the sulfide protects organisms who can't handle it as well and sequestering waste products also keeps it away from organisms who could be harmed by the chemicals in it. Hot vents are inherently unstable places. They are formed primarily in places where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other, exposing the planet's mantle. This exposed spot will eventually cool down and the hot vent will die off. Because of this, hot vent ecosystems grow fast and die young. Cold seeps by contrast are extremely stable and long-lasting. Lamellibrachia luymesi grow very slowly and can live for over 250 years. There's no need to hurry when your food comes out of the ground and won't be going anywhere for a very, very long time.

(Image ID: a colony of Lamellibrachia luymesi. Their tubes are more visibly segmented than those of Rifita, with the top of each segment being noticably wider than the base of the next. The tubes are a pale blue, but switch to white at 2 - 9 segments below the top. Many tubes have brown algae growing on them. The exposed plumes are short, red, and feathery. End ID)

[ranticore]

this is as far as i got into a diagram of siphos, the dominant life form of Siren, my big big worldbuilding project. it's fuck ugly and i am not lining this. I really liked the idea of alternating generations and a stupid complex life cycle. Ultimately there are no 'plants' on Siren as we know them. Instead we have the 'sessile' generation of the creatures which, in a different 'active' generation, are among the fastest and most active apex predators in the vast freshwater seas of Siren. It took the first human settlers on Siren years to understand that what they were assuming were completely different animals were in fact all the same animal - and, ultimately, it brings into question the definition of 'species' as it stands.

Tides are regular but slow; a yearly occurrence (when not a neap or spring supertide). When there is no or very little water movement (during a low tide phase), the fresh water forms strongly stratified layers, including an anoxic dead zone near the bottom. the increased water flow of a rising or falling tide increases mixing in the water, and provides enough nutrient flow for the sessile adult phase of the siphos to happily live their lives anchored to the substrate, feeding by suspension. each 'leaf' has a feeding structure which i have not designed yet, but also uses gas exchange to create air bladders in a process not unlike photosynthesis. the bladders raise and lower the leaves in the water column to take advantage of zooplankton density (diel vertical migration).

Each leaf produces two motile clone larva which break out and swim away. It's not uncommon for these larva to be released in a swarm when the adult sessile sipho is under attack or being eaten. The two holes in the leaves will slowly refill with the next clones. The larvae swim until they meet larvae of another sessile adult, whereupon they spawn, releasing planktonic gonads for sexual reproduction. the eggs form thick mats on the sea floor (some with an additional 'worm' stage of joined together eggs which trundles along until it finds suitable substrate) and eventually sprout into more sessile adults.

Whether or not the larva undergo sexual or asexual reproduction depends on oxygen saturation in the water. If the water has a low saturation, it is likely due to a period of stratification in the water column (still water at high or low tide). Because there may not be enough prey for a sessile adult to get by on, it triggers the beginning of the active generation. the larva instead divides asexually and enters a kind of locust phase of rapid development into swarms of nymphs which form most of the "fish" in Siren's seas. The nymphs progress through several stages of development, as the water continues to settle and stratify, until ultimately they are able to leave the water. similar to dragonflies, the nymph 2 stage are the largest flying predators native to the planet, and feed mostly on smaller siphos of other species and the insect-like creatures that swarm around the coastlines. the nymphs are sexually active and can lay fast-developing eggs which will hatch into more nymphs. nymph swarms number in the trillions and are very short-lived, taking advantage of only a few weeks of ideal conditions.

during a neap or spring tide year, when the water is liable to undergo extreme, catastrophic changes, the nymph 2 stage will then become fully active adults; too heavy to fly, the adults of the active generation propel themselves via specialised hydrofoil arms. they prey mainly on nymphs of other species (though cannibalism is common) and, since the settlement of Siren, sea-dwelling or even flighted humans. with the ability to travel very far and very fast, these adults are the means by which entire species can uproot and fuck off to a more livable area if the neap tide decides to turn their aquatic home into a new continent.

They do eventually spawn and, depending on oxygen saturation, release eggs that will become nymphs or sessile adults.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Study unlocks nanoscale secrets for designing next-generation solar cells

The work will help researchers tune surface properties of perovskites, a promising alternative and supplement to silicon, for more efficient photovoltaics.

Perovskites, a broad class of compounds with a particular kind of crystal structure, have long been seen as a promising alternative or supplement to today’s silicon or cadmium telluride solar panels. They could be far more lightweight and inexpensive, and could be coated onto virtually any substrate, including paper or flexible plastic that could be rolled up for easy transport. In their efficiency at converting sunlight to electricity, perovskites are becoming comparable to silicon, whose manufacture still requires long, complex, and energy-intensive processes. One big remaining drawback is longevity: They tend to break down in a matter of months to years, while silicon solar panels can last more than two decades. And their efficiency over large module areas still lags behind silicon. Now, a team of researchers at MIT and several other institutions has revealed ways to optimize efficiency and better control degradation, by engineering the nanoscale structure of perovskite devices.

Read more.

[captainswaglord500]

Goliath Spiny Shark

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Clade: Eugnathostomata

Clade/Class: Acanthodii

Order: Ischnacanthiformes

Family: Ischnacanthidae

Genus: Tyrannoselache

Species: T. polycanthus (“many-spines tyrant shark”)

Temporal range: late Miocene to recent (7.7 mya - present)

Information: 

T. polycanthus, better known to the natives of Xenogaea as horduuń/hórduuń (/ˈxo̞r.duːŋ/, “dread”) or mevoskaska/mévoskaska (/ˈmɛ.vo̞.ska.ska/, unknown etymology, likely of pre-Xenogaean substratic origin), and to Western scientists as the Goliath spiny shark, is unusual amongst the acanthodian family (a group of stem-chondrichthians [cartilaginous fishes] colloquially called “spiny sharks”) for its sheer size: around 17-18 feet in length and weighing between 2.7-3 tons, the Goliath spiny shark is one of the largest known non-coelospondyl acanthodians ever discovered, practically rivaling the sizes of its distant shark cousins and with an attitude to match, nearly 100 times the size of its closest known relatives, making it an anomaly amongst its family, its size a mystery, especially amongst an already wide assortment of other large predators in its environment. However, the most commonly-accepted theory is that its ancestors adapted to life in the deep sea before eventually moving back to shallower waters, its size an atavism of its ancestors’ deep sea gigantism. Nonetheless, despite its humble origins, the Goliath spiny shark is still a force to be reckoned with, being notoriously territorial and responsible for many sinkings of small boats and canoes. Like the sharks it is distantly related to, its method of killing prey, although gruesome, is highly effective: prey is usually pursued from below before the animal, with a sudden burst of speed, seizes it, propelling the both of them into the air as it violently shakes its prey to dislodge bite-sized chunks. An incredibly patient and persistent predator, it has been known to stalk prey for several miles, sometimes even propelling itself onto land to chase fleeing prey. Alternatively, prey may be flanked and rammed into from the side before a similar method of dispatching it is utilized. Speaking of prey, as a near-apex predator, the Goliath spiny shark is an opportunistic predator which hunts a wide variety of different prey items, both vertebrates and invertebrates alike. Though sea turtles and cephalopods appear to be some of its favorite prey, it has been known to eat pinnipeds, sirenians, small cetaceans, sea-monkeys/mermaids, small-to-medium-sized marine reptiles (namely plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs), and several varieties of large reef fish and sharks, hybodonts, and other shark-like fishes. In areas where it shares its habitat with the mud tiger, the two species are known to occasionally prey on one another, and though never confirmed, great whites are notably absent from the areas where the Goliath spiny shark is found, suggesting either predation on young individuals or competition for the same food sources. Individuals living near the edge of the deep ocean may also sometimes venture out into deeper waters to pursue tuna. Scavenging is also quite common. 

Found all across Archaeonesia’s shallow seas, the Goliath spiny shark primarily stalks the waters around kelp forests and coral reefs, though it has occasionally been as much as 10 miles inland. Typically a nocturnal or crepuscular hunter, its eyesight is superb, with its sense of smell, although substantially better than a human’s, being relatively rudimentary in comparison to sharks. Contrary to the stereotypes of sharks and their relatives being ram ventilators, the Goliath spiny shark is not, being able to remain perfectly still on the ocean floor while still being able to breathe, and it does so during the day to rest. While not necessarily gregarious, 2 or more individuals may occasionally work in groups to take down large prey, and cooperation with other large carnivores is also documented. Nonetheless, these animals tend to be territorial and generally do not take kindly to trespassers, chasing off crocodilians and mosasaurs which enter its territory and readily killing other large predators which enter its domain. Cannibalism is well-documented, with larger adults readily consuming subadults and juveniles who stray too close. Notably, however, it will abandon its hunting grounds entirely if large predatory placoderms show up (with the exception of the estuarine flatshark, which it is notably tolerant towards due to pursuing different prey animals), large mosasaurs, and orcas are spotted in its area. Exceptionally intelligent for a fish, it appears to some ability to solve rudimentary problems and seems to be able to way-find with great efficiency, memorizing landmarks or other pieces of the scenery and returning to these areas if hunts have proven successful there before. They also engage in what is believed to be playful behavior, nudging objects in their environment and reorienting them seemingly as a way to stimulate itself when not hunting. Its peculiar habit of arranging objects, namely stones and pieces of corals, in highly-organized patterns across its hunting ground, and its strong tendency to correct their positions when the waves or other animals move them out of place, has consequently earned it the affectionate (and somewhat humorous) nickname of the “OCD fish” or the “autism fish” in online spaces. 

An exceptionally colorful large predator, it is covered in spotted and striped patterns all along its body of varying black and brown hues while its flanks are tan and its underside cream-colored, and during the spring and summer months, when these massive fish breed and when food is most available, the colors of the male will become all the more vibrant. Males will court a female by presenting her with a fresh kill, after which copulation begins. Goliath spiny sharks are internal fertilizers, the males utilizing a pair of modified pelvic fins called claspers to inseminate the female before the two part ways once more. Gestation is quite long, taking anywhere from 10-12 months. Unlike other acanthodians, the Goliath spiny shark is ovoviviparous, giving birth to around 2-4 pups. Cannibalism in the womb is known but does not appear to be common. Nonetheless, when the pups are born, they immediately flee to find cover, as the mother may eat her own young if they linger for too long. For the first decade of their life, they will slowly begin to reach full size, eventually moving out of the safety of the coral reef and into less obstructed waters, around 16-18 years old, they will reach sexual maturity. If all goes well, a young Goliath spiny shark can except to live between 50-60 years.

Both feared and revered by the Native Xenogaean peoples, this creature is seen as what is known as a so-called “realm-walker”, a creature said to have the supernatural ability to cross between worlds. This ghostly ability to migrate between the celestial world, the world of the living, and the underworld means that it is regarded as, in some aspect, sacred and therefore untouchable, though its aggressive nature complicates this relationship. As such, it is seen to embody the force of nature itself, unpredictable yet majestic in nature. Amongst the Banguani, in lieu with their Polynesian culture, the Goliath spiny shark is seen as both a god in its own right and as an ancestral spirit, perhaps a unique example of the traditional Xenogaean and surrounding Austronesian folklores converging on a similar worldview. The Hachin people of the outer islands also view it as a minor death and ocean god called Qxhóíràà (Hachin: /q͡χoi˥.ɾaː˩/), a sentiment mirrored by the Hnipixe people of the western Isle of Perils, who see it as their version of the Draconic sea god, Angiosaa, whom they called Dyehnyíí-tk’ùùxyap (Hnipixe: /ɟe.ɲ̊iː˥.tkʼuː˩.çɑb/, “shark king”). It appears prominently in the traditional artwork of the Hnipixe as well, seen as an emblem of strength and courage. Alas, despite this animal’s ability to captivate the spirit of people across many cultures, attempts to export it to foreign aquariums have proven difficult, as its needs, although not impossible to meet, are rather fickle. On rare occasions, this species has been spotted outside of the Archaeonesian archipelago, with a relatively stable population believed to be inhabiting the waters immediately surrounding the outside of the border mountains. Reports of Goliath spiny sharks have also surfaced across parts of Remote Oceania, being sighted as far as Jarvis Island in Micronesia and being reported from French Polynesia as well. Granted, such reports cannot be confirmed, particularly when its general aversion to deeper waters, which it would need to cross to read such locations, are taken into account, but nonetheless, such stories of Goliath spiny shark sightings outside of their native Archaeonesia are commonly circulated amongst cryptozoological circles. With around 9,000 mature adults in the wild, its population appears to rebounding from a century-long decline, the cause of said decline being unknown but possibly related to disease. Fossil deposits of this species go back as far as the late Miocene some 7.7 million years ago.

[is-the-snake-video-cute]

Hello! Is it possible to use puppy pads as substrate for quarantine enclosures? Obviously not for regular use, but could they be an alternative to paper towels?

They're okay on a temporary basis in quarantine enclosures, sure. You'll want to be sure they're non-scented, though, a lot of puppy pads are scented and you just don't want scented things in a snake enclosure.

You'll also have to be very careful about changing them out regularly. Puppy pads are designed to hold liquid, so they can easily harbor bacteria. Any quarantine substrate, incuding paper towels, has to be changed regularly to avoid bacteria buildup, but puppy pads do need a little extra care.

[jades-typurriter]

Seamless Transition

A short POV story about getting gender euphoria from being a cat instead of a human, and being made of fabric instead of flesh.

CW: Needles (like, the sewing kind, but they still pierce the skin, so what difference does it make)

You take the needle out of its container. Sturdy plastic. It pops open with a thock, revealing the slender, shining piece of metal. You pry it free of the frame keeping it in place, plastic snapping out of the way as you move it. This is... impressive. This is a whole-ass sharps container. It was even wrapped in that heavy cellophane to keep it sterile. All this from one witch selling body mods out of her house? Your friend sure is something.

You’ve known her long enough that you watched her go from experimenting on herself--she didn’t seem to know what she was looking for, and even though she’s found some things that she liked, she still hasn’t ever settled--to getting asked for help doing the same, to making a living out of the whole process. You haven’t seen her turn a customer away yet. Even if she doesn’t know how to make something work, you can bet she’ll work her ass off to find out. That kind of passion for making the most of yourself has made her well-known, trusted to Hell and back. There’s a whole community supporting her, just people like her exploring what they can become and giving back what they can.

And now here you are, having bought from her.

You suppose that’s only fitting. You’ve looked up to her for so long... You only realized recently that maybe part of that was admiration of what she had for herself. Which brings you to, the needle.

You look at it, pinched between your fingers. Roll it between them. There’s a silvery sheen to the metal, but that’s the wrong magical substrate. It’s cold iron, instead--if it can interact with the fey, it can certainly restitch your little patch of fate’s tapestry. The eye is rather large, and the short length of thread tied through it rather unusual. It’s a Yarn. Not a piece of yarn, but a physical manifestation of a story. They’re normally the byproduct of the transfer of information, forming like stalagmites out of air charged with the excitement of a good adventure, tense with the hungry curiosity of an eager student. Often, they’re found in libraries, cluttering up the pages of books and the corners of shelves, mistaken for cobwebs.

Your friend, however, found a way to make them on purpose. A way to encode specific information straight into them. You compared them to magical instructions, at first, a sort of conceptual DNA, but she insisted that they were still very much stories. Addenda, she said. Revisions. Alternate twists, another flourish here or there. One of the people who volunteered to help her test them out said they were like headcanons. The possibilities were practically endless, she said, when you could take the narrative into your own hands. After a very, very long conversation--lots of questions, she wanted to get this right for someone so important to her, and eve more answers you didn’t think you had until they jumped from your lips all by themselves--she took what she knew of you, and what she had learned, and spun a Yarn just for you.

It’s in your hands, now.

You’ve given yourself injections before, and you were told it’d be just like that. You’ve never done it with this kind of needle, though, and after pulling your clothes out of the way, you aren’t sure how exactly to hold it. You try putting it between your first two fingers and bracing your thumb against the eye, but that... doesn’t feel right. You try holding it like a pencil, and...? No? You try a few more grips, and when none work, you huff, let go of your clothes, and pull out your phone. How... to... hold... a... sewiiiiiiing, needle. Fuck it, let’s try that. You hold your fingers like a hand puppet, a bla-bla-blah motion, and pinch the needle between them. Okay, that feels right, and waitwaitwaitwaitwaitwaitwait okay. Okay. Wait.

For a moment, there was total certainty about what to do. Like you could do it with your eyes closed. Like you could do it without even thinking about it. In the same breath, the weight of doing it crashed through that clarity like a brick through a glass. You take a deep breath. You raise the needle again. You pull your clothes out of the way again.

The metal seems to thrum in your fingers. The magic it was made with? Maybe it’s just your hands trembling. The anticipation of the poke, like before, or perhaps of the change. It feels heavier in your hand, but now you’re thinking about it so hard. It hurts less when you aren’t looking at the needle, right? Right. You close your eyes, take another breath to steady yourself, and hold the needle at an angle. You drive it gently toward yourself, forcing it along with your thumb. It breaks the skin. You don’t know what you expected--at this point, you normally squeeze out the medicine and pull the needle back out, but you’re this far and you just can’t fathom backing up now. Something deep--not instinct, you think--guides you, and you pinch the skin. You push the needle further, completing a stitch in your flesh, and pull the needle out through the other side. The Yarn unravels as it passes through you, weaving itself into you; it sheds wispy fibers of light as it enters, dissipating as your hand completes the motion. You blink, and after a moment process that you didn’t even feel the huge eye of this thing as you pulled it through your fucking skin. Your friend really is something.

The thought is interrupted by a warm sensation from the spot where you poked yourself. You touch it and find that the skin is softening. Not as in “smooth and supple”; you’re seeing “like touching velvet”. Dude, it’s happening. It’s fucking happening. It starts to spread from the spot, slowly radiating outwards, up your torso, down your arms and legs. The hair on your body thickens, starting from the same spot. It grows out thick, rapidly becoming a blanket of fuzz, growing as you watch like a timelapse of a seed sprouting from the soil. Its texture changes, too; not coarser, but becoming more like tiny, tiny threads. The hair--fur--catches up with your softening skin, and overtakes it, the wave crashing along the remainder of your body with a fwoomf. 

You feel it along your face, and reach up to find whiskers, stiff and plasticky. Your ears must’ve been carried along with the tide, because you miss them when you squish down the fur on your cheeks. You find them sitting on the top of your head instead, two cute and springy little triangles. They perk up involuntarily as you rustle your hair around them--you suppose you’ll learn to flick them around on purpose with time.

In some spots, your chest, along your arms and thighs, the fur is much thicker. A few inches long, deep enough to sink your hand into. As you relish the feel of it, wide-eyed, you feel a strange sort of tension in your hands. You clench them tightly, rolling your fingers as though you were stretching your knuckles, and as they curl, you watch them thicken. When you relax them, they’re huge--each easily the size of your face, the fingers rounded and covered with a pad each, just like your palms. You close them again, open them again. You take in the feeling of the fur between your fingers sliding past itself. They don’t curl quite like they did before, and they look like the gloves of a mascot suit, but they’re your hands. You feel something pop at each fingertip and watch as little, hard plastic claws, colorful and shiny, emerge.

You look down and find your feet much the same: replaced with paws that squish down under your weight, cushioning your steps as you pace around on them for the first time. Walking like this doesn’t feel quite right... You give your legs a stretch, straightening your ankles as far as they’ll go, and they just keep straightening and straightening until you find you can’t bend them back forward again. The joint now sits at about the height that your knees were just a moment before; you have to hold your weight in a slightly different spot, now, but the spring in your step is... wonderful. You take to your new gait in just a few seconds, but your balance still doesn’t feel quite riIGHT DID YOUR SPINE JUST SLIDE OUT OF YOUR BACK???

You twist around and see a tail hanging just above your hips, even fuzzier than the rest of you and coming to a rounded end. It’s a BIG one, too. You give it an experimental swish--another thing to practice, but it does seem to finally straighten out your posture! You try walking again, and it feels off every time you’re mid-stride. You try flicking your tail back and forth in time with your footfalls and BAM oh my GOD you feel like you’re walking down a runway. You’re fucking working it!!! Your hips are swaying and if you weren’t bouncing with excitement anyway you sure would be just on account of the way your legs are SHAPED now holy SHIT!!!

You press a paw into one of your thighs, just to see if they’re as soft as they look--and they look SOFT now. It sinks in further than you expect. Much further. You feel like you really should’ve reached the bone, at this point?? You pull away, and your leg holds a deep imprint of your paw. Slowly, it begins to return to its full bulk, and it occurs to you that you don’t just feel lighter because of the new way you hold your weight, but because you are literally lighter. Your insides feel airy; your limbs squish against themselves as you bend them. You wrap your arms around your chest and give yourself a squeeze, eyes shut tight and smile wide, marveling at how SOFT you are.

You feel a buzzing sensation at the nape of your neck, which quickly spreads in all directions. Up behind your ears, meeting at the crown of your head, and down and around your neck to either side; down the sides of your torso; along the backs of your arms over the elbows; along your legs on the inside and outside of your thighs. Each feels like a pull tab being dragged along your skin, joining some unseen zipper. You twist your arm around in front of you, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever’s causing it, and see threads working their way along your body, dipping under and poking back over your fur. When they reach the ends of your limbs, they form a cuff at each of your joints, circles of stitches holding together your wrists and ankles, your knees and elbows, your shoulders and hips. They don’t do much in the way of actually making you sturdier, and you were already in one piece without them, but looking at them... 

You run a paw pad--literally padded, it finally sinks in--along the stitch on your arm. The feeling under your fingertip evokes a fresh scab. Stretch marks. Old scars. The healing and the growing that have brought you to finally making the choice to be something, someone, you want to be. The marks left on you, chronicled on your very skin, of the changes that lead up to this. These stitches are the edge of an old couch, catching you as you collapse for your well-deserved rest, exhausted or sick or heartbroken. These stitches are the hem of a top that you had pinned your hopes on, hoping to make an impression on someone or trying to present as yourself for the first time. These stitches are the seams on a beloved doll, the creases on a loved one’s skin, comforting and familiar, even in spite of how new they are. 

Compared to everything else that's different now--better now--they're pretty small, but this wouldn't be complete without them. You wouldn't be complete without them. The way they stretch at your widest points, pinch at all the little turns, accentuates your new, pillowy nature. They're impossible to miss, and show everyone that you are a constructed thing; a you that you designed yourself, and with a little bit of help, made real yourself; a body purpose-built for the things that matter to you, built for closeness, and warmth, and being a source of comfort for the people you love. More than anything, they're an ever-present reminder that you were made with care. 

You realize that, despite the feeling of your eyes welling up with joy, the tightness in your foam-filled chest that comes from crying, the fur on your face isn’t actually getting wet. The oddness of the sensation brings you back to the present, and you rub your face to collect yourself (dwarfing it with your new paws). You look around for the needle and realize that you’re noticeably bigger than you were before. It might be a pain to squeeze out of them, but you’re suddenly thankful that your new body has more give than your clothes. Despite the haystack now being a bit harder to navigate, you make sure you don’t lose the damn thing. You plan on going back to your friend to see if she can set you up with a chain to run through the eye of the needle. You have a feeling she will; it’s like her to think that far ahead. It’s going to make a lovely memento, and it’s only practical for a brand new plushie like yourself to have a needle handy while they get used to things.

[captaindomy]

Alternative substrates in the cultivation of ornamental and vegetable plants

Autori: Domenico Prisa 1, * and Stefano Caro 2 1 CREA Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Via dei Fiori 8, 51012 Pescia, PT, Italy. 2 Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, School of Chemical Engineering, Vuorimiehentie 1 00076, Aalto, Espoo Finland. Research Article GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical…

[astrojulia]

More than Seaweeds

Mermaid's Herbal Compendium

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Name: Basil

Scientific name: Ocimum selloi Benth.

Disclaimer: As English is not my native language, there may be some errors in scientific expressions. I am also using local resources.

TECHNICAL USAGE

History:

Due to the shape of its leaves (heart), it was considered a symbol of love in Italy and of mourning in Greece. (Portal São Francisco, 2016)

4,000 years ago, the Hindus, who were percussionists in the culture of basil, exported it to Egypt. (Portal São Francisco, 2016)

In the last century, basil was used by shoemakers to attenuate the smell of leather. (Portal São Francisco, 2016)

The name "basilicum" has its origin in the Greek "basilikós," which means "of the kings or royal," to indicate its nobility. The Greek botanist Theophrastus, in the 3rd century BC, defined basil as an herb of kings. (History of Ingredients, 2016)

Description:

Plant characteristics: Basil is an herbaceous plant grown in gardens and widely known throughout Brazil. It is characterized by the pleasant smell that is released from its leaves. It has a quadrangular stem, and the leaves are opposite, sharp, and abundant. The plant produces small white flowers arranged on an elongated axis, with secondary inflorescences formed on each axis. The corolla has four pieces, and the plant bears fruit with four dark nuclei. It is a meliferous plant. Basil can be propagated by seeds or cuttings taken from the branches. It thrives in fertile soils rich in organic matter, permeable, and with high temperatures. (Treatise on Medicinal Plants, 2014)

Propagation: Basil can be propagated by seeds or cuttings from branches. Basil seeds are sown in 200-cell expanded polystyrene trays containing commercial substrate and kept in protected cultivation. At 30 days after sowing, the seedlings have four definitive leaves and are suitable for transplanting. (PEREIRA; MOREIRA, 2011)

Cultivation: Seedlings can be planted in pots or nurseries throughout the year. For this, the beds must be well prepared, raised to a height of 15 cm. Use 150 g of well-tanned bovine manure per square meter of bed and mix well. Sow the seeds and cover with 0.5 cm of light soil or fine sawdust. The recommended spacing is 30 cm between lines and 30 cm between plants. Irrigate at least once a day, preferably in the early morning or late afternoon. After 60 days of planting in the beds, the first harvest can be made by cutting the plant at 20 cm from the soil. (PEREIRA; MOREIRA, 2011)

How to choose and where to find:

Fresh: Fresh bunches and pots of basil can be found in fairs, markets, and supermarkets. Choose branches with lush leaves that are not stained or wilted.

Dry: Dry basil can be found in supermarkets and specialty stores. Look for products in dark packaging, protected from light, to prevent loss of aroma. Check the expiration date.

How to Store:

Fresh:

Basil spoils quickly, but it can be packed in plastic packaging and dried for up to three days at most.

Chop the leaves and place them in a closed glass container with oil.

Dry: Store in a sealed container, away from light and humidity.

How to dry:

Buy two large bundles of basil, wash them well, and spread them on a clean cloth until dry.

Separate the leaves and make layers of leaves in a glass bowl, alternating with thin layers of coarse salt.

Cover the glass bowl with plastic wrap and leave it at room temperature.

Stir once a day for the first three days.

The dried basil can be used for up to two months. The leaves become dry, and the salt absorbs the aroma of basil. You can use only the leaves or also the coarse salt.

Chemical Composition:

Tannins: Tannins are astringent and hemostatic, and their therapeutic applications are related to these properties. They are mainly used in the tanning and paint industries. They are also used in laboratories to detect proteins and alkaloids and as antidotes in cases of poisoning by alkaloid plants.

Flavonoids: The therapeutic functions of flavonoids are not yet fully understood. The group is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and vasoprotective effects (treatment of thrombosis). Rutin and hesperidin are important flavonoids used in the treatment of capillary fragility.

Saponins: Saponoside glycosides are named for their ability to form abundant foam when agitated with water (from Latin "frog" = soap). They taste bitter and acrid, and drugs containing them are usually sternutatory (cause sneezing) and irritating to the mucous membranes. They are non-nitrogen compounds that dissolve in water, producing foaming solutions by decreasing the surface tension of the liquid. They also have the properties of emulsifying oils and causing hemolysis. The latter is due to the ability of the glycoside to combine with the cholesterol molecules present in the erythrocyte membrane, disrupting the internal-external balance and promoting the rupture of the cell, resulting in the release of hemoglobin.

Essential Oils:

o Thymol: It has carminative, anti-spasmodic, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has significant antiseptic potential. o Methyl-chavicol: It has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, local anesthetic, and insecticidal activities. o Linalool: It is used for its woody, floral, and refreshing aroma. o Eugenol: It has anesthetic, bactericidal, antifungal, and flavoring properties, with a hot and spicy note. o Cineol: It has decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties and gives a eucalyptus aroma. o Pyrene

Herbal Actions:

Digestant: An herb that promotes good digestion.

Carminative: Herbs or essential oils that help the intestines release gas by relaxing gut spasms and increasing peristalsis to expel gas.

Sweetener: It has the ability to sweeten.

Aperientes: Aperientes herbs are mild laxatives.

Indications: Basil is beneficial for those who have difficulties in digestion, gas, heartburn, and headaches resulting from heavy or inadequate food. It facilitates the functioning of the intestines and acts as a diuretic. It is good for coughs, vomiting, and bad breath. Along with malva and sage, it helps in mouth infections.

Dosage: There is little information on the safe and effective dosage of basil. Usually, 10 to 20 ml of fresh basil leaf juice is used once a day, or teas can be made by infusing 2 grams of fresh basil or dried herb in boiling water twice a day.

Contraindications: Basil is not suitable for long-term use in children, and it should not be used by pregnant women in the first three months of pregnancy.

MAGICAL USAGE

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars

Element: Fire

Deities: Ares, Eros, Zeus, Apollo, Vishnu, and Krishna

Tarot Cards: The Empress, Justice, Six of Swords, Ten of Cups

Zodiac: Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius

Sabbath: Yule, Imbolc

Magical Uses (under observation of effectiveness): Basil is linked to love, health, exorcism, and clairvoyance in magical practices. Its fresh leaves can be used as a natural scent to attract passion. Hanging some branches around the house can protect the environment and bring permanent joy. In some ancient cultures, basil was placed on the chest of the dead as a symbol of a passport to paradise. Fun fact: There are over 64 types of basil. (GORI, 2021)

Therapeutic and Enchanted Recipes:

PROSPERITY TEA:

INGREDIENTS: 1 teaspoon of basil, 1 teaspoon of thyme.

PREPARATION: Heat the water for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat. Add the basil and thyme and let it steep for 15 minutes.

CLAIRVOYANCE TEA:

INGREDIENTS: 1 teaspoon of basil, 1 teaspoon of hibiscus.

PREPARATION: Heat the water for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat. Add the basil and hibiscus and let it steep for 15 minutes. Drink four sips before your divination practices, especially oracles.

MIX OF HERBS FOR LOVE:

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup of basil, 1 cup of rose petals and buds, 1/2 cup of patchouli leaves, 1/2 cup of lavender flowers, 2 tablespoons of dragon's blood.

PREPARATION: Place this herbal mixture in a bowl in your home to attract love.

HAPPY SIPS:

*This is a recipe that makes me feel really happy...

INGREDIENTS: Fresh basil leaves, fresh strawberries.

PREPARATION: Make a flavored water by adding as much basil and strawberry as your heart desires. Let it sit for a while (to taste) and drink it. I used to make this a lot when working at the office, and it made me feel fresh and happy.

Sources:

CUNNINGHAM, Scott. Enciclopédia das Ervas Mágicas do Cunningham. 1ª ed. São Paulo: Editora Alfabeto, 2021.

PRIETO, Claudiney. Rituais de Magia com o Tarô. 1ª ed. São Paulo: Editora Alfabeto, 2021.

GORI, Tânia. Herbologia Mágica. 2ª ed. São Paulo: Editora Alfabeto, 2021.

CABOT, Laurie; CABOT, Penny; PENCZAK, Cristopher. Tradução de Virginia Dalbo. Livro de Feitiços de Laurie Cabot. 3ª ed. São Paulo. Editora Alfabeto, 2021.

LADDY, Brianna. Apostila Magia das Ervas. 2019. Her Instagram

LADDY, Brianna. 25 Feitiços usando a Magia das Ervas. 2021. Her Instagram

MINHAVIDA. Manjericão alivia problemas intestinais e tem ação anti-inflamatória. Disponível em: https://www.minhavida.com.br/materias/materia-11744#:~:text=Existe%20pouca%20informa%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20sobre%20a,fervente%20duas%20vezes%20ao%20dia. Acesso em: 11 abr. 2021.

SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE FARMACOGNOSIA. Taninos. Disponível em: http://www.sbfgnosia.org.br/Ensino/taninos.html. Acesso em: 11 abr. 2021.

PARODI, Lorenzo. MANJERICÃO. Disponível em: http://www.ingredientes.blog.br/. Acesso em: 11 abr. 2021.

PORTAL SÃO FRANCISCO. Manjericão. Disponível em: https://www.portalsaofrancisco.com.br/alimentos/manjericao#:~:text=Devido%20%C3%A0%20forma%20de%20suas%20folhas%2C%20(cora%C3%A7%C3%A3o)%2C%20era,atenuar%20o%20cheiro%20do%20couro. Acesso em: 11 abr. 2021.

GRANDI, Telma Sueli Mesquita. Tratado das plantas medicinais [recurso eletrônico]: mineiras, nativas e cultivadas. 1. ed. – Dados eletrônicos. Belo Horizonte: Adaequatio Estúdio, 2014. (Download the book HERE)

HOFFMANN, David. Tradução Euclides Luiz Calloni. O guia completo das plantas medicinais: ervas de A a Z para tratar doenças; restabelecer a saúde e o bem-estar. 1ª ed. São Paulo: Cultrix, 2017.

(CC) AstroJulia Some Rights Reserved

[davidstortebeker]

Closing Loops in Soilless Gardening - Hydroponics and Aquaponics

What is the future of food production going to look like? Is the projected 10 billion people in 25 years, out of which two thirds will live in cities, going to require us to convert every square meter of arable land into intensive mono cultural farms? Please don't let that be true! There HAS to be some alternative. Fortunately, there are several. Two of them are different ways of growing plants without soil, a radically new method, which may be most appealing to urban food production.

image source

Hydroponics: Growing Plants in Water

When it comes to growing large amounts of food on a small area efficiently, hydroponic systems are often brought up as a solution. And the reasons sound pretty convincing: An efficient hydroponic farm uses 90% less water, and can yield 3-10 times the amount of produce per area, with 7-14 growth cycles in a year. IMPRESSIVE! But before getting too excited, let's not forget: the devil is in the details! It's worth looking into under exactly what conditions those plants grow, being fed by what light, and most importantly which nutrients, and where they come from.

image source

The basic concept, however, of growing plants vertically, in mostly water, with some kind of substrate, such as clay balls or vermiculite, is actually a pretty nifty way to grow food where there are no fields. The most basic form of this may be the Windowfarm technique, which I experimented with myself years ago in my Budapest apartment. Going to Shanghai, the whole idea seems to be taken to a whole new level.

https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2017/04/sunqiao-urban-agricultural-district-Sasaki-architecture-industrial-china-shanghai_dezeen_hero-b.jpg image source

Is That Really Sustainable? Or Even Healthy?

… not to mention, does hydroponics even fit into Permaculture? Because let's be honest: with a system that needs to be constantly managed and monitored you could not be further from a self-supporting ecosystem. Also, what exactly do those plants get to eat? The typical N-P-K made industrially out of petrochemicals? Most likely. So while it certainly reduces the transport related drawbacks, hydroponics is by no means energy efficient, and the nutritional value won't be any better than your most industrially grown veggies.

image source

How Does Aquaponics Compare?

Okay, so let's bring in the fish! For those not familiar with the difference between the two systems, aquaponics is the combination of hydroponics and aquaculture, which are simply fish farms. Having fish in a tank, they will naturally defecate into the water, requiring it to be changed regularly. Plants, however love to eat those nutrients that the fish excrete. Or to be more exact, they feed on the nutrients that have been converted by bacteria and other microbes. The ammonia will turn in to nitrites, which in turn become nitrates, that is food for the plants.

image source

So running the water from the fish through the plants growing substrate will on one hand feed the plants, as well as clean it for the fish to enjoy it again. So the system already closed a few loops there, making it more sustainable than just mere hydroponics. Also, the inclusion of microbes already offers a more diverse environment, bringing the system a bit closer to an ecosystem. But let's not get ahead of ourselves: Aquaponic systems still need close monitoring, as they are still a far cry from a self sustaining ecosystem of let's say a pond. Also, the water circulation / aeration is most likely going to require a pump, and depending on the exact setup of the system, maybe artificial lighting for the plants. All these aspects add to the energy requirement of the aquaponic system.

image source

A Truly Closed Loop? Consider the Food of the Fish!

When praising the sustainability of aquaponics, one thing that mustn't be ignored is the source of the fish food. Just like with the hydroponic systems, where the food for the plants or the fertilizer is considered, we can't ignore the feed we give to our fish to eat. If it is the same industrial feed, we may as well have kept to our hydroponics. Not true, since including fish already makes our system more diverse. So instead, let's continue in that same direction. What do fish eat? What is good for them? How can we grow that food ourselves?

image source

Making Your Own Sustainable Fish Food

Here I could probably start a number of individual posts, since talking about fish food is like opening up a can of worms. But fortunately, I already have a number of appropriate things written. Talking about worms, by the way, anyone who has been fishing knows that they are a favored delicacy, and anyone who composts will have no shortage of them. Since worms are mostly vegetarians, and many of us eat meat, it may have been a bit difficult to properly compost greasy, meaty, bony food wastes. That's where black soldier flies come in, whose larvae are also frequently mentioned for fish food. I still need to try growing those guys. As for green plants for the fish, duckweed makes also good fish feed, again something I have no experience with. What I do know, though, is spirulina, which is also super rich in nutrients, and I would be surprised if the fish didn't like it. So I can see throwing some composting worms, black soldier fly larvae, and spirulina into a blender, to make some great nutritious fish food. At the moment this is very theoretical for me, though.

image source

Don't Give Up the Soil Completely

So does this mean we should all focus on setting up our most sustainable fish-plant-compost combo cycles? Hells yeah! But please not at the expense of everything else! Soilless gardening, as exciting and revolutionary as it may sound, is still that: without soil. And let's face it: neither us, nor our beans and tomatoes, have evolved to live entirely without soil. That just seems wrong. Even in a small urban apartment it's worth having a bit of soil on your roof, balcony, or window sill, where you can dig your hands into a world of healthy microbial diversity on occasion. And if you do have the space, by all means, set up a pond, a dam, or another aquatic ecosystem, where fish, and frogs, and dragonflies, and numerous other species can live together without relying on our management. Apart from looking pretty, they will also provide food for us, that is nutritionally superior to anything industrially grown.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

[honoura]

disclaimer: this spawned off a twitter thread i made a while back, which itself came from something i’d noticed time and again within the xiv community: the idea that photography isn’t possible there. i’ve seen this a few times, and ultimately what i felt to be the truer statement is that digital photography as we know it in our phones, no. that is not a very accessible thing. most eorzeans aren’t getting a garland ironworks tomephone.

but that doesn’t mean they aren’t taking pictures.

A Case for Eorzean Photography

In the case of our modern world, the art of capturing an image onto paper directly from life dates back to the 1820s. It was called heliography. A wikipedia article on it can be found here. Heliography came about because its inventor wished for an efficient way to reproduce lithographs, engravings, and relief prints, three different illustration styles that had existed by now for varying lengths of time, but all still in use and being the choice method for adding images to text. I’m going to give a short bit of information on each style, because they are also very likely quite prevalent.

Woodcut (Relief)

Woodcut is as its name implies -- you carve your image into a block of wood, coat the raised portions with ink, and then use it in the press. Accessible to learn, accessible to do, if you want rp flavor there’s likely illustrators in every city-state employing this for the newspapers or illustrated editions of books.

Intaglio (Engraving)

Intaglio is my favorite printmaking method for illustrations, and probably also my favorite for FF14 because it involves playing with chemicals! Let’s get the alchemist roleplayers we know something cool to do. Anyway, with intaglio you’re using acid to burn an image into a metal plate, and the deeper the etchings the darker the shadows. Great for values, great for depth, and have I mentioned you’re just being a little scientist and an artist at the same time?

Lithography

Lithography is the one you’ve seen the most, even if you aren’t 100% sure how it works. It became very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century -- if you’ve ever gawked at vintage illustrations by Mucha or Leyendecker, those are lithographs! Some of the big plates used for them are just big rocks! Miners could 100% mine up limestone slabs for this.

Anyway, back to photographs. After heliographs cracked the capture nut suddenly everyone was getting in on it. People were mixing all kinds of chemicals to capture the world as it was at a moment onto a plate of glass (or others! they liked silver too).

Physautotypes used lavender oil as its photosensitive agent. Tree resin was also popular. Both things botanists would routinely be able to harvest and crafters able to distill. I can only imagine how it smelled to make photographs with this, I hope it was nice!

About 20 years after the earliest heliograph came daguerrotypes. Made on silver plates with a copper substrate, daguerrotypes were pricy but popular -- and they had their own special camera made rather than using a camera obscura.

Daguerrotypes were also when spirit photography came into prominence.

Ambrotypes came on the heels of daguerrotypes as a cheaper alternative made with less costly materials, and was followed by their even cheaper brethren the tintypes. Bit by bit, photographs were becoming more accessible -- not always the equipment (or the supplies), but in terms of a person or group of people having a portrait made you were starting to see that become more common.

Ambrotype above, tintype below

Let it be said also that less costly materials does not mean lower quality image -- each method had its own charm. Tintypes were sturdier than ambrotypes, but both developed quicker than daguerrotypes. Ambrotypes could also have spot colors added to them!  

Albumen prints made it to paper, and until we went digital that’s where photographs stayed, on paper! And one of their key binding materials was made from eggs, beautifully common eggs.

So Where Does This Leave Eorzea?

So why did I go into this much detail, with visual examples and links to references that include their materials? Because all these materials exist already within FFXIV. Glass, plates, the types of metals used, the types of chemicals.

They’re part of crafting logs, and gathering leves, and dungeon drops. Alchemists can make these chemical components, goldsmith quests have you making lenses and other more delicate mechanisms, carpenters could easily build boxes for camera obscura (and cameras!).

Different styles of photography and different materials used for them reflect availability of the materials -- where does this character live, what are their cultural beliefs, do they travel much outside of their home region? How much money do they have?

What if using unaspected crystals creates a different effect on the plate? With the right kind of aetherial charge, don’t you think you could photograph ghosts in actuality rather than trickery? There’s a whole quest in 1.0 where an NPC sees the ghost of the city of Sil’dih -- a ghost city!

At any rate, I just think it’s neat to look at what materials exist in this game, and how things from this world may translate to that with the understanding it will not be 21st century. We have a lot of technology that’s existed longer than we sometimes recall or acknowledge -- and it’s good material! Use that stuff! Have fun with it!

[heimat-hanf-hort]

Cannabis Plant Growing Mediums: Soil, Coco Coir, Hydroponics, and Aeroponics

Zusammenfassung:

Dieser Artikel behandelt die verschiedenen Anbaumethoden für Cannabispflanzen zu Hause: Erde, Kokosfasern, Hydroponik und Aeroponik. Wir beleuchten die Vor- und Nachteile jeder Methode, teilen persönliche Erfahrungen und wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse und geben praktische Tipps für den Heimanbau. Dabei berücksichtigen wir auch mögliche Gegenargumente und alternative Ansichten.

Einführung:

Beim Anbau von Cannabis zu Hause steht man vor der wichtigen Entscheidung, welches Medium man für die Pflanzen nutzen soll. Die Wahl des richtigen Mediums kann den Unterschied zwischen einem gesunden, ertragreichen Garten und einem enttäuschenden Ergebnis ausmachen. Aber welche Methode ist die beste? In diesem Artikel werden wir die vier häufigsten Anbaumethoden - Erde, Kokosfasern, Hydroponik und Aeroponik - im Detail untersuchen.

1. Anbau in Erde

1.1 Was ist der Anbau in Erde?

Der Anbau in Erde ist die traditionelle Methode, bei der die Pflanzen in mit Nährstoffen angereicherter Erde wachsen.

1.2 Vorteile des Anbaus in Erde:

Natürlichkeit: Erde ist ein natürliches Medium, das viele Mikronährstoffe und Mikroorganismen enthält.

Einfachheit: Ideal für Anfänger, da Erde Nährstoffe speichert und Fehler verzeiht.

Kosten: Günstiger als viele andere Medien.

1.3 Nachteile des Anbaus in Erde:

Kontrollverlust: Es ist schwieriger, den pH-Wert und die Nährstoffzufuhr präzise zu kontrollieren.

Schädlinge: Höheres Risiko für Schädlinge und Krankheiten.

1.4 Praxisbeispiel:

Ein Hobbyzüchter aus Bayern berichtet: „Ich baue meine Cannabispflanzen seit Jahren in Erde an. Es ist einfach und zuverlässig, auch wenn ich manchmal Probleme mit Schädlingen habe.“

2. Anbau in Kokosfasern

2.1 Was sind Kokosfasern?

Kokosfasern sind ein Substrat, das aus den faserigen Teilen der Kokosnussschale besteht. Es ist ein beliebtes Medium für den Anbau von Cannabispflanzen.

2.2 Vorteile des Anbaus in Kokosfasern:

Wasserretention: Kokosfasern speichern Wasser gut, während sie gleichzeitig eine gute Drainage bieten.

Luftzirkulation: Fördert eine gute Wurzelbelüftung.

Nachhaltigkeit: Umweltfreundlicher als Torf.

2.3 Nachteile des Anbaus in Kokosfasern:

Nährstoffarmut: Kokosfasern enthalten keine natürlichen Nährstoffe und müssen regelmäßig gedüngt werden.

Kosten: Etwas teurer als Erde.

2.4 Praxisbeispiel:

Eine erfahrene Züchterin aus Berlin teilt ihre Erfahrung: „Mit Kokosfasern habe ich bessere Kontrolle über die Nährstoffe und die Wurzeln meiner Pflanzen wachsen schneller.“

3. Hydroponischer Anbau

3.1 Was ist Hydroponik?

Hydroponik ist eine Methode, bei der Pflanzen in einer nährstoffreichen Wasserlösung ohne Erde wachsen.

3.2 Vorteile der Hydroponik:

Schnelleres Wachstum: Pflanzen wachsen schneller und können höhere Erträge erzielen.

Kontrolle: Präzise Kontrolle über Nährstoffe und pH-Wert.

Wassereffizienz: Wasser wird recycelt und minimiert den Verbrauch.

3.3 Nachteile der Hydroponik:

Komplexität: Erfordert mehr Wissen und Erfahrung.

Kosten: Höhere Anfangsinvestitionen für Ausrüstung.

3.4 Praxisbeispiel:

Ein Züchter aus Hamburg berichtet: „Mit meinem hydroponischen System habe ich die besten Erträge erzielt, aber die Einrichtung und Pflege erfordern viel Aufmerksamkeit.“

4. Aeroponischer Anbau

4.1 Was ist Aeroponik?

Bei der Aeroponik wachsen die Pflanzen in der Luft und die Wurzeln werden regelmäßig mit einer nährstoffreichen Lösung besprüht.

4.2 Vorteile der Aeroponik:

Maximale Sauerstoffversorgung: Wurzeln erhalten viel Sauerstoff, was das Wachstum fördert.

Wassereffizienz: Sehr effizienter Wasserverbrauch.

Ertrag: Kann sehr hohe Erträge erzielen.

4.3 Nachteile der Aeroponik:

Technologie: Hoher technischer Aufwand und Anfälligkeit für Systemfehler.

Kosten: Sehr kostspielig in der Anschaffung und Wartung.

4.4 Praxisbeispiel:

Ein fortgeschrittener Züchter aus München berichtet: „Aeroponik ist unglaublich effektiv, aber jedes technische Problem kann katastrophale Folgen haben.“

Wissenschaftliche Forschung und Expertenmeinungen:

Studien haben gezeigt, dass die Wahl des richtigen Anbaumediums einen erheblichen Einfluss auf das Wachstum und den Ertrag von Cannabispflanzen hat. Dr. Maria Schmidt von der Universität Heidelberg erklärt: „Hydroponik und Aeroponik bieten die höchste Effizienz, erfordern jedoch auch die meiste Aufmerksamkeit und technisches Know-how.“

Gegenargumente und alternative Ansichten:

Einige Züchter bevorzugen immer noch den traditionellen Anbau in Erde, da sie die Natürlichkeit und die Fähigkeit der Erde, Fehler zu verzeihen, schätzen. Andere argumentieren, dass der Anbau in Kokosfasern eine gute Balance zwischen Kontrolle und Einfachheit bietet.

Schlussfolgerung:

Die Wahl des richtigen Anbaumediums für Ihre Cannabispflanzen zu Hause hängt von Ihren individuellen Bedürfnissen, Ihrem Budget und Ihrem Erfahrungsniveau ab. Erde ist ideal für Anfänger, während Kokosfasern eine gute Balance bieten. Hydroponik und Aeroponik sind für erfahrene Züchter, die maximale Erträge erzielen möchten und bereit sind, in die notwendige Ausrüstung und Pflege zu investieren. Durch die Berücksichtigung der spezifischen Vor- und Nachteile jedes Mediums können Sie das für Ihre Bedürfnisse beste System auswählen und erfolgreich Cannabis zu Hause anbauen.

Beliebte Fragen und Antworten:

1. Welches Anbaumedium ist das Beste für Anfänger?

Erde ist oft das beste Medium für Anfänger, da es einfach zu handhaben ist und viele Fehler verzeiht.

2. Wie viel kostet die Einrichtung eines hydroponischen Systems?

Die Kosten variieren je nach Systemgröße und Ausstattung, können aber von etwa 100 bis mehreren tausend Euro reichen.

3. Kann ich Kokosfasern und Erde mischen?

Ja, viele Züchter mischen Kokosfasern mit Erde, um die Vorteile beider Medien zu kombinieren.

4. Ist Aeroponik besser als Hydroponik?

Aeroponik kann höhere Erträge erzielen, ist jedoch auch komplexer und teurer in der Wartung. Hydroponik bietet eine gute Balance zwischen Effizienz und Handhabbarkeit.

Durch die Wahl des richtigen Anbaumediums können Sie die Gesundheit und den Ertrag Ihrer Cannabispflanzen maximieren und den Anbauprozess genießen. Experimentieren Sie mit verschiedenen Methoden und finden Sie heraus, welche am besten zu Ihrem Stil und Ihren Bedürfnissen passt. Viel Erfolg beim Cannabis-Anbau zu Hause!