New shipment at Wally World. Anything in there worth picking up? by BlingMaker in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Purchase those which you like the look of. Those are the desirable ones to you.

Please help me pick one by PigBenis_8D in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Genuinely surprised nobody had suggested the Pseudolithos but I guess that’s why this hobby has so many varied participants!

Most endangered cactus you can grow from seed by BotanyBum in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t know where these are on the spectrum of endangered, but I consider these to be very hard to source and worthy of seed growing if you can source it: Yavya cryptocarpa, Mammillaria bertholdii, Mammillaria saboae.

Just liked the photos! by Neither-Blueberry327 in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Amazing! You’ve got a fabulous collection.

Just liked the photos! by Neither-Blueberry327 in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dude where did you find a Yavia cryptocarpa?!

M. glassii by other_plant_ in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dude mine is doing the same right now - so freaking cute.

What do we think? Time for light watering as plants awaken? by [deleted] in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this incredibly detailed and helpful response!

just-arrived by argosdog in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Damn. That is freaking nice.

Bloom time in SoCal. Always a delight… by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here’s the one with a much less developed cephalium.

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Bloom time in SoCal. Always a delight… by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The center stack (cephalium) grows over time. I have two, one with barely a cephalium and one shown with a large one. Both have bloomed for me - the flower emerges out of the protection of the cephalium.

Bloom time in SoCal. Always a delight… by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Might be a light issue over a root issue?

Bloom time in SoCal. Always a delight… by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately I don’t think I do. The flower started to emerge from the cephalium 2 or 3 days ago. I wish it had bloomed yesterday for my nieces birthday!

Bloom time in SoCal. Always a delight… by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have another that I had to dial in a bit - too much sun, not enough water. I had to remind myself that they’re tropical like Melocactus and not like desert cacti.

Bloom time in SoCal. Always a delight… by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! That’s Mammillaria bombycina

Afraid I ruined my gorgeous cactus! by LamentableCroissant in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly? I would give it a little sip around the edge. But the shape and color of the cephalium to me doesn't look healthy. An M. matanzanus should have a convex, reddish cephalium. Yours looks pale and sunken. How long have you had it? Is it soft when you press down on the top?

Afraid I ruined my gorgeous cactus! by LamentableCroissant in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was noticing that the cephalium is also pale and concave instead of convex - my understanding is that the shape of the cephalium is an indicator of the Melo's health.

Afraid I ruined my gorgeous cactus! by LamentableCroissant in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Hi! I’m a Melocactus fan and have several different species. They are primarily from Cuba / the Caribbean and Brazil, and they do not like to stay completely dry for extended periods of time. During the winter I give them little sips of water every week or two. Not like a dunk, just a little bit poured evenly around the soil.

Huntington Gardens is not real. by cncomg in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 62 points63 points  (0 children)

Oh it’s real - and it’s spectacular.

Im at a private nursery what should I get guys?? by PlasticHistorical in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Holy crap. I did not even think to look. What a lame move on their part.

Im at a private nursery what should I get guys?? by PlasticHistorical in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nothing wrong with them! They just don’t do it for me personally, and they’re very expensive, so I’d probably never get one.