Search found 4529 matches

by Steve Johnson
Wed Apr 24, 2024 1:29 am
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Are you growing your cacti in a soilless mix?
Replies: 116
Views: 275391

Re: Are you growing your cacti in a soilless mix?

Hey Steve I wanted to thank you especially & I need to ask you another question, I have a few cactuses flowering right now and I was wondering should I still use the same fertilizer mix you taught me during flower? Using that mix u showed me has greened up my cactus plants quite a bit compared ...
by Steve Johnson
Wed Apr 24, 2024 1:06 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Cactus cutting gone bad (cont'd)
Replies: 1
Views: 26

Re: Cactus cutting gone bad (cont'd)

Sorry for an confusion, but these photos are a continuation of my earlier post here. These offshoots were planted about 4 or 5 weeks ago. Looking good, Joe. To be technically correct, they're offsets (also known as pups), not offshoots. Now would be a good time to review something I said in your fi...
by Steve Johnson
Wed Apr 17, 2024 1:53 am
Forum: General
Topic: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
Replies: 3
Views: 151

Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?

Imagine that you wake up one morning and discover that your collection was stolen overnight… or that an aggressive nematode killed all your cacti or that a small meteor hit your greenhouse 😊. Imagine you are forced to move to a different country and cant take your cacti with you… These all sound li...
by Steve Johnson
Sun Apr 14, 2024 3:09 am
Forum: General
Topic: Post winter watering
Replies: 16
Views: 2713

Re: Post winter watering

I still haven't done that first watering of the year for my collection! Typically nighttime lows are consistently in the 50s by the end of Match, but thanks to the periodic cold storms NorCal has been getting it's bouncing between a few warm days and then several cold ones where temps go back into ...
by Steve Johnson
Fri Apr 05, 2024 6:20 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Fungal Infection or something else?
Replies: 3
Views: 3215

Re: Fungal Infection or something else?

CoolestGravy wrote: Fri Apr 05, 2024 4:25 am Right on, that sounds much easier to deal with than what I was thinking.

As always, you totally rock Steve!
Well, thank you, and I'm glad to help! :D
by Steve Johnson
Fri Apr 05, 2024 3:49 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Fungal Infection or something else?
Replies: 3
Views: 3215

Re: Fungal Infection or something else?

Yellowing is caused by chlorosis, a sure sign that your Fairy Castle is nutrient-starved. I discussed the fertilizer issue with you here... https://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=405035#p405035 ...but I recently found something that'll simplify your fert situation: https://www.amazon.com/G...
by Steve Johnson
Thu Apr 04, 2024 9:41 pm
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Limestone top dressing
Replies: 18
Views: 4522

Re: Limestone top dressing

Hi Zac, Back in May 2012 I spent a wonderful afternoon photographing the Huntington's desert greenhouse collection, so check out the photos in my Flickr album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/134602763@N02/albums/72157719863777449/ The top dressings on their pots are quite attractive, and they may giv...
by Steve Johnson
Tue Apr 02, 2024 11:39 pm
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Fungus? Or something else?
Replies: 13
Views: 2779

Re: Fungus? Or something else?

That definitely makes things simpler to just use one things. Would you still add the CalMag as well? Yes -- add 1/2 tsp. TPS CalMag per gallon of watering solution. This supplements all NPK fertilizers. I was looking for something like this but had a hard time finding one. I appreciate all your eff...
by Steve Johnson
Mon Apr 01, 2024 4:44 am
Forum: Cacti Identification
Topic: 2x Tephrocactus and cylindropuntia?
Replies: 2
Views: 1947

Re: 2x Tephrocactus and cylindropuntia?

Hello Could you help with ID? Below my types. 1. Tephrocactus articulatus var. strobiliformis? 2. Tephrocactus articulatus 3. Some cylindropuntia? https://i.imgur.com/bzTFjwv.jpeg I think #2 is strobiliformis... https://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/16060/Tephrocactus_articulat...
by Steve Johnson
Sun Mar 31, 2024 2:58 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Fungus? Or something else?
Replies: 13
Views: 2779

Re: Fungus? Or something else?

This just in... I just found a fertilizer that'll simplify the matter: https://www.amazon.com/Grow-More-5118-Tillandsia-1-25-Pound/dp/B004G1CU3O/ref=sr_1_9?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ES9ryD2sLO1Xf2g1IhL6w989ZYNMvPHS4gm_wZ3DVqtc_Aicud5D8o23-BpxMnGOYctfwVv92u2cbg2nChJcY42Fz4HQ1uuZyvYTCQeDM7L7cCzLsZRbmBFc3ShJw4w...
by Steve Johnson
Sun Mar 31, 2024 2:08 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Black spot - rot?
Replies: 7
Views: 2066

Re: Black spot - rot?

Update! I was able to salvage almost 2’ of the necrotizing cactus and the cutting is currently chilling upside down. The other San Pedro has been successfully removed, roots cleaned, and will be repotted once its roots are sufficiently dry. No mealybugs and the roots look good! Thanks again for all...
by Steve Johnson
Sat Mar 30, 2024 10:35 pm
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Fungus? Or something else?
Replies: 13
Views: 2779

Re: Fungus? Or something else?

Ok, so just diving into this deeper and I think I'm more confused than when we started 😆 Yeah, I know -- that was me trying to figure all of this out a few years ago ](*,) . Trying to explain it ain't easy either, but I'll do my best. I've ordered the fertilizer and calmag you mentioned in a previo...
by Steve Johnson
Sat Mar 30, 2024 5:33 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Post winter watering
Replies: 16
Views: 2713

Re: Post winter watering

In my experience you should never water mildly, soaking your plants thoroughly with every watering makes much more sense. Of course making sure that the soil completely dries between waterings. This applies mid-summer as well as in early spring. However, it is generally a good idea to spray your pl...
by Steve Johnson
Sat Mar 30, 2024 1:47 am
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Limestone top dressing
Replies: 18
Views: 4522

Re: Limestone top dressing

From the "Cal-Mag of my dreams?" thread I started in July 2022, here's a brief quote from MikeInOz: I don't think giving gypsum (calcium sulphate ) would hurt any cactus even epiphytes...We have to standardize the culture because if we try to replicate the habitat for every species insanit...
by Steve Johnson
Tue Mar 26, 2024 4:32 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Fungus? Or something else?
Replies: 13
Views: 2779

Re: Fungus? Or something else?

Thank you for another thorough response. I was also pleasantly surprised at how the roots looked. My pleasure -- I'm glad to be working with you on this! :D I have probably 5-10 cacti but about 200 succulents total. I've started using a fertilizer recommended/sold by Bonsai Jack: https://www.bonsai...