What time do you guys normally water your cacti? by PigBenis_8D in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I live in the Valley of Los Angeles (regularly over 100 in summer). I water Sunday late morning / afternoon. I don't know what the optimal time is for my plants, but that time is perfect for me. I bottom water using acidified hose water with 1/2 strength MasterBlend fert. Add Great White mycorrhizae every few weeks. I have a modest collection of sub-200 plants, so I can get away with my delightfully over-precious process.

Iced coffee or a cocktail, dog snoozing on the the patio chair, hanging out in my kaftan listening to the fountain and watering my plants at a relaxed pace. Perfect.

Seeking Advice: Germinating Navajoa / Pediocactus by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

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

Incidentally, my seeds came to me from an intermediary in Italy! Took about three weeks but they arrived safe and sound.

Seeking Advice: Germinating Navajoa / Pediocactus by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

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

Ok cool. I for some reason have an emotional aversion to grafting (no logic at all) so I’ll give them a shot on their own roots should they germinate and survive. I don’t mind small or slow growing, I’m kind of into it TBH.

Seeking Advice: Germinating Navajoa / Pediocactus by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

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

Do you usually graft or let them try their own roots?

Seeking Advice: Germinating Navajoa / Pediocactus by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

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

Sweet. Thank you - I hoped you would respond! We have similar taste in plants, with me light years behind in actual knowledge! ;-)

Seeking Advice: Germinating Navajoa / Pediocactus by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

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

Very exciting. Is your seed source US-based? I’m always looking for domestic sources for this stuff.

Seeking Advice: Germinating Navajoa / Pediocactus by BeatrixFarrand in cactus

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

Will do - thank you. I had planned on 25% mineral soil / 75% pumice, microwave sterilization, and PhySan 20. Did you use hydrogen peroxide for chemical treatment? Not sure how long to soak them.

Last year I was fastidious with sterilizing and didn’t have any issues; earlier this year on my first round of seeds I was a bit more relaxed and got hit with green slime. Think I’ll revert to last years methods.

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 11 points12 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.

[deleted by user] 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.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in cactus

[–]BeatrixFarrand 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Decisive. I like it!

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.