StrUktO, a little off topic but is that Corryocactus melanotrichus as your icon?

Thanks m4kz0r for the pictures. StrUktO, yeah I was intended to do this to speed up growth and flowering.

I wanted to experiment with grafting columnar cactus like Stenocereus gummosus onto something like Opuntia ficus-indica. Was wondering what was the best way to accomplish this, since the growth patterns differ greatly. I was thinking of cutting out triangle piece with growth points (spines) from the...

Peter,

Thanks for the info, I will try to get around to this sometime in the future. Maybe the results will be good.

Excellent pictures, beautiful cactus flowering! I finally found a source in stock for 'Epic' Echinopsis hybrid, should be getting it soon .

I am planning to work with Opuntia monacantha its the fastest growing cactus I have (even one of the fastest growing plants). It increased in mass by 4 times or so in 1 year, comparing photo journal side by side.

I like sour and tangy things, I mainly wanted them for crossing with a sweet variety Opuntia ficus-indica eventually. Think offspring seedlings could produce interesting fruits.

I am looking for Opuntia xoconostle/joconstle. I have a lot of stuff to trade, tell me what you are looking for. Have cultivated Opuntia ficus-indica varieties, various varieties of Dragon Fruit, many other cuttings,divisions, seeds. etc. to trade.

Marten very impressive list. I will be sending you some stuff soon.

Peterb,

I think I have seen it growing abundantly in O'Neill Regional Park in Trabuco, CA. Next time I go hiking I will try to take some pictures of it. The habitat would be inland southern california, about 20-30 mi from the ocean.

Wow that is big, do you happen to have the pads of the mother plant for trade? How does the fruit taste?

Just curious are you going to be making selections for fruiting qualities from this batch? I have been collecting cereus and stenocereus for their fruit. I think Cereus has a lot of potential with some breeding effort.

jdo3 wrote:I have eaten ficus indica,cochenillifera,and especially subarmata pads. So far subarmata is my favorite. Next time on my pizza. I knew eating pizza was good for you.

jdo3,

Do you have any pads of subarmata up for trade?

How did the grandifolia fruit taste? Btw, I should have new Opuntia pad ready soon (some of the varieties I did not send over).

Being that you are from San Diego, you have a great opportunity of making selections in the wild and around the cities. If you spot a Prickly Pear growing at someones home with large fruit, knock on the door and offer them $2 for a pad and a fruit. Most of my Opuntia was collected this way. Also the...