Thank you all for the information! I'll give some of the tips from this link a try, and then move on to formal pesticides/insecticides if they persist. Although I did check outside a minute ago and the aphids appear to have attracted lacewings so I'm hoping that the problem may start resolving on it...

What would you advise for these guys? Soapy spray, insecticides, ladybugs, etc.?

Gotcha! These plants are outside, do you think I should just leave them to the predatory insects and birds?

Hi all, over the last week or so I've noticed these little bugs hanging out at the top of a few of my plants, but only in the morning. So far I haven't seen any damage to any plants, but I want to make sure these guys aren't a threat. I've attached a picture of them at the top of a totem pole cactus...

So good news for identification, we have flowers! I think based on these your assessment is correct:

Thanks Tom! Those images that you posted do look really promising, the spines look very similar. To answer your questions, this plant has been outside this whole winter, so it has handled temps of 21F for a few hours without any issues. As far as general care, it handles full sun well getting minor ...

A bit more information and a bump, but this cactus has also not flowered yet. I've seen echinocereus flower at a much smaller size than this is, so maybe that's a data point against it being in that genus.

Hi all, I have this cactus which has been with me for about a year and half now. I have been trying to figure out the ID and I keep thinking it must be some form of echinocereus. The main stem is currently about 1ft tall. So here is my experience with it: 1. Offsets rapidly - In the year I've had it...

Awesome, thanks for all your advice!

You’re definitely right about the weather, normally we’d have had monsoon rains come through southern NM by now, but it hasn’t happened yet. It has been especially dry and hot this year.

Will I need to do anything to help it stand back up (like staking) or do you think the water would be sufficient?

Sounds good, I’ll give it a good deep soak and keep an eye on it for a few days. I imagine it’ll take some time before it perks back up.

Gotcha, so more than a few hours? Or more water? The soil is loose and drains well, but I want to make sure I don’t rot it.

Would you recommend a slow drip for a few hours? I do that with some other plants, but have been hesitant to try it on this cactus.

I think light is unlikely to be the issue, it gets 9-10 hours of sun per day and has done well in that position for about two years. I was thinking it might be heat, but it’s withstood bad heat before without doing this.

Hi everyone. I have an in ground opuntia that is leaning over pretty bad this week. Desert Ace 1.jpg Desert Ace 2.jpg It had not been watered for two weeks, and was watered on Sunday of this week, but started showing this lean today and I wanted to see what your thoughts were. My working theory is e...