Cigar Travel Humidor

---

Cactus Grafting: Lophophora williamsii to Trichocereus candicans as a Rapid Propagation Technique
 by: River’s Source Botanicals

A host cactus such as Trichocereus candicans can be used for grafting purposes to accelerate growth patterns for cactus such as Lophophora williamsii. Once a person gets the hang of it, it is very easy. A single graft can be done in under 5 minutes.

Buttons grown in this manner can be expected to increase in diameter at the approximate rate of one inch per year, not to mention the multiple side pups which are also growing at the same phenomenal rate!

It is desirable to use a host plant such as Trichocereus candicans for grafting purposes to accelerate growth patterns for cactus such as Lophophora williamsii. Trichocereus candicans is preferred as a host plant over San Pedro or others for the following reasons:

1. Candicans is a smaller plant with a smaller root system and more button grafts may be accomplished in a far smaller space.

2. Candicans plants do well in medium sized pots for many years and the entire collection can be lightweight and portable.

3. The respective diameters of the two plants are more closely matched for easier grafting.

Once a single button of Lophophora williamsii is grafted to a limb of Trichocereus candicans, it will undergo phenomenal growth. New Lophophora williamsii heads will grow out of the side areoles of the primary grafted head. Once these side growing “pups” reach the size needed to match the limb diameter of a Trichocereus candicans, these may be cut off and grafted to a new limb. Since the growth energy of the host plant is blocked and terminated with a button head, the formation of a new limb from the base of the plant usually happens quickly. As soon as this new limb reaches sufficient height and diameter, one of the pups may be cut off and grafted onto the end of this limb. The goal is to constantly keep blocking any vertical growth of the Trichocereus candicans limbs. This accomplishes two things:

1. Faster forced growth of the button grafts and the formation of three or more side pups at the areole points are achieved.

2. Rapid formation of new limbs for new grafts using these pups is also created.

The Trichocereus candicans attempts to bypass the energy blocking grafts by forming new limbs. After the formation of a new limb, three inches or more may be cut off the top of it. This limb is now ready to receive a graft.

Once a graft has “taken” and button growth is evident, any Trichocereus candicans limb with a button previously grafted to it may be severed several inches or more below the button and set aside in a warm shady spot for two weeks so that the wound may have time to callous up. Then this same limb may be placed in a pot. The Trichocereus candicans will develop new roots and the whole process begins over again. From a single button head grafted onto a single Trichocereus candicans limb, the growth system will take off at an exponential rate. Starting with only a few buttons of Lophophora williamsii, within a few years these could turn into a hundred.

Grafting Techniques

Cut a button off as straight and flat as possible with a brand new carton knife blade (available at hardware stores) and do the same to a Trichocereus candicans limb. Position the cut on each plant so that the diameters of the cuts are equal or that the button cut is slightly smaller in diameter. Put them together and weight the top of the button with a small piece of rock slate. If this is not enough weight to firmly press the button down, add another rock to the top of the slate. Experimentation and practice will eventually get it right. Let them stay like this for at least 7 days, after which the rocks may be removed. The graft may not actually “take” (where you can see signs of growth) for another 2 -3 weeks.

Even poorly done grafts with only one half or less of the surfaces attached have been seen to work. These take longer to become established, but once the connection is made, they will take off as well as the others.

All plants should be shaded. A white bed sheet stapled to a lightweight wood frame works well. This allows them to get plenty of light for growth without burning them. They love intense heat (80° to 100°F). It is at this time that growth is most spectacular.

They will flower for most of the summer if they are regularly watered. To insure pollination, touch the pistils and stamens from one flower to the next with a soft tipped brush. You will be rewarded with many hundred seeds by the end of the summer. Two or three weeks after the flower has gone, a tiny red fruit bearing seeds will appear. Pick this out with tweezers, making sure to remove the entire fruit at the base. The plants generally begin flowering when they are two inches in diameter or greater. The seeds may be planted or make excellent gifts.

About The Author

River’s Source Botanicals

Established in 1993, River’s Source Botanicals distributes worldwide rare, often endangered botanicals such as Peyote and Peruvian Torch cactus. We sell seeds, cacti, medicinal and/or sacred plants, dried herbs, extracts and Peruvian incenses.

www.riverssourcebotanicals.com

---

Hey Readers! I’ve been comin across some crazy stuff the past few days from a few different blogs around the web which I just had to share with you. Check em out below…

20ct + Aluminum Travel Humidor, Aluminum Briefcase, Personalized …

Related Products: ★ Craftsmans Bench Kodiak Travel Humidor ★ Aluminum Black Travel Humidor 12 Cigar Cap Cutter ★ 12-cigar Aluminum Travel Humidor with Foam ★ Craftsman's Bench Aluminum Cigar Travel Humidor 4ct NEW …

Cigar Caddy – 2 Cigar Travel Humidor | Golf Humidor

Price: $10.95 List Price: $21.49 – Savings: $10.74 This item is in stock Cigar Caddy Half Price Sale Airtight, waterproof, crushproof 2 stick Cigar caddy.

Cigar Caddy 15 – Cigar Travel Humidor | Golf Humidor

Price: $14.99 List Price: $29.99 – Savings: $15.00 This item is in stock Cigar Caddy Half Price Sale – 50% Off List Price Airtight, Waterproof and.

Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and please if you have something to say, use the comments form below to let everyone know your thoughts.

Have a great day!

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: Cigar Travel Humidor

---

Ah, the cigar. Emanating power and prestige, it’s kind of like a Rolls Royce, but much easier to put in your mouth. Because of this esteemed reputation, it’s not surprising that cigars have been smoked by many of our nation’s past presidents. Whether scratching at the back door or sneaking in through an open window, cigars have found their way into the White House during several presidential terms.

We all know that JFK was an avid fan of Cuban cigars, and we know that Bill Clinton also put cigars to use – albeit strange use – but use nonetheless. However, what we might not know is that 20 of the past 43 presidents have smoked cigars. From the Civil War to the Cold War, presidents have turned to cigars in times of trials and times of joy. While some smoked cigars less zealously, the following is a list of presidents who were passionate cigars smokers, stopping just short of nominating Henry Clay for their presidential cabinets.

Zachary Taylor

The twelfth president, Zachary Taylor was known as a hero of the Mexican War and elected president in 1848. A soldier who had dedicated his life to military service, Taylor was an avid cigar smoker. However, ever a “man’s man,” he would only smoke cigars in the presence of men who were also cigar smokers. Known as “Old Rough and Ready” because of his choice of clothing, Zachary Taylor died in office after eating the ever-so-tasty combination of cherries, milk, and pickled cucumbers.

Ulysses S. Grant

If ever there was a president who was a true cigar connoisseur, it was probably Ulysses S. Grant. A Civil War hero, Grant was elected as the 18th President in 1869. Never doing anything in moderation, he was rumored to have smoked 20 cigars per day. In fact, one legend states that he smoked over 10,000 cigars in a period of five years.

During his campaign for the presidency, his cigar smoking was used as a propaganda-laden ploy with the emergence of the song, “A Smokin’ His Cigar.” With lyrics that went, “The people know just what they want. Less talk and no more war. For President, Ulysses Grant A-smoking his cigar,” US Grant was portrayed as a peace-loving man, calm and collected during times of strife. Once he was elected, Grant took his love for the cigar even further and was rarely photographed without a cigar in hand, or in mouth.

Chester Arthur

The 21st President elected in 1881, Chester Arthur was society’s president, known for lavish clothing, midnight suppers, and meals filled with champagne and expensive cigars. Fired for bribery and corruption in earlier years, Arthur grew to be called “The Gentleman Boss,” showcasing politeness, social stature and the luxuries of the times. This ultimately brought him, and the cigar, to a new level of honor and caused the journalist Alexander K. McClure to write, “No man ever entered the Presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted, and no one ever retired… more generally respected.”

William McKinley

According to legend, William McKinley, the 25th President, was the inspiration for the Wizard in the movie the Wizard of Oz. The elusiveness of the Wizard is fitting for McKinley’s elusive cigar smoking. While he was never photographed with a cigar, and rarely seen in public smoking, when alone it is rumored that he was borderline obsessive about this luxury. In fact, the White House Chief Usher once stated that McKinley had a passion for cigars unlike any other president. Whenever he was in the White House, there was always one in his mouth.

Warren G. Harding

Warren G. Harding, the 29th President elected in 1921, was widely known as a President more concerned with playing poker and golf than running the country. However, he did have some good qualities. One of these was the fact that, prior to declining health, he personally answered all letters from US citizens. Another good quality was that he was a cigar smoker, one who was so particular about the aroma of his cigars that he hauled his cigar humidor from Ohio to the White House.

Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon, the 37th President elected in 1969, may have uttered the words, “I am not a crook,” from the highest mountain top, but he never would have been caught saying, “I am not a cigar smoker.” Although he wasn’t a habitual cigar smoker, he did indulge as a sign of camaraderie with other world leaders. In fact, Nixon’s term was the last term in which cigars were offered after dinner for men to enjoy in the Green Room.

From Presidents who fought in the Mexican War to those who oversaw the Vietnam War, our leaders’ hands have embraced cigars for centuries. While Richard Nixon was the last President to smoke cigars, we can rest assured that there will be many more. Because we live in a Democratic nation, where we have the power of the vote, we can almost guarantee it.

About The Author

Jennifer Marie Jordan is an editor and staff writer for www.whatsknottolove.com. At home in a design firm in Denver, Colorado, she writes articles specific to the finer things in life.

---

5 Cigar Travel Case/Humidor: humidifiers?

I have a 5 cigar travel humidor by humi-care.
Do I need to moisten the humidifier?
It is a flat round disc with crumbling green stuff in it (the back is open).
How often do i need to replace this?

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: Cigar Travel Humidor

---

What is a good cigar case or travel humidor?

I am looking to buy my boyfriend, an avid cigar smoker a cigar case or travel humidor, for when he travels on short trips. Can anyone recommend a good case or travel humidor. Thanks

---

When humidors where first created by Zino Davidoff in the early 20th century, they were large cellar humidors which certainly made for restricted travel. One now had the ability to strive for the perfect cigar, but only from home. Most people would agree that the feasibility of traveling with a large room did not exist, and still does not, even today. A dilemma arose as to how to preserve a moist cigar while traveling.

Early models of travel humidors were patterned after air-tight cases in which the cigar aficionado placed cigars already maintained in a cellar humidor. This worked well except that when one opened the travel humidor, since the maintained humidity existed as a result of already moist cigars, each time the humidor was opened, humidity would escape and the ambient humidity of the room replaced the humidity that had been inside the travel humidor.

Today humidors can be found that are battery-powered or can be plugged into any available AC outlet or a combination of both. While these types of humidors are more functional than ostentatious, they can be made of any materials in varying shapes and designs, suited to please the taste of even the most discriminating smoker.

Most travel humidors are made of extremely durable plastic, designed to withstand the rigors of being moved about and for its lightweight portability.

Travel humidors now meant that a society that is becoming increasingly more mobile as a result of the prevalence of automobiles and air is no longer demanded to choose between having a perfect cigar and being tied to home or having to leave behind one’s favorite pastime to travel.

Travel humidors are also an inexpensive addition with many functional travel humidors costing less than $30. The internet is an excellent way to research the different styles and brands while also finding the least expensive style that will meet ones requirements.

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: Cigar Travel Humidor

How about these right… I think you’ll find the following nuggets of wisdom particularly insightful. Leave your comments below. Check out the second one in particular…

15 Cigar Golf Humidor

Need an airtight, waterproof, crushproof Golf Humidor? Check out Cigar Solutions 15 cigar Travel Humidor. This Golf Humidor is probably the best quality travel humidor that you can find anywhere, and the price (more…)

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: Cigar Travel Humidor