Search found 4515 matches

by Steve Johnson
Tue Mar 26, 2024 4:32 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Fungus? Or something else?
Replies: 7
Views: 484

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...
by Steve Johnson
Tue Mar 26, 2024 1:39 am
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Limestone top dressing
Replies: 9
Views: 181

Re: Limestone top dressing

It shouldn't do anything it's more decorative than anything else, maybe hold water in soil a little longer as Mike points out. Nothing wrong with the decorative aspect, although for growers who find that stuff floats out and gets all over their plants when they water, top dressing is functional as ...
by Steve Johnson
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:45 pm
Forum: Cacti Identification
Topic: Recognition
Replies: 5
Views: 170

Re: Recognition

Pot culture is very different from growing in the ground - excess water is drawn away by the surrounding soil in the ground. In a pot, only the force of gravity drains it, and it's a weaker force than the adhesion of water to the soil. Soil in the bottom of the pot remains saturated until the plant...
by Steve Johnson
Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:36 pm
Forum: Cacti Places
Topic: First visit to Joshua Tree Nat. Park
Replies: 7
Views: 216

Re: First visit to Joshua Tree Nat. Park

Great photos, and those barrel cacti are stunning!
by Steve Johnson
Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:14 pm
Forum: Cacti Identification
Topic: Recognition
Replies: 5
Views: 170

Re: Recognition

Unfortunately I can't help you on the ID, but I did want to make a couple of observations. First, your mix appears to be nice and lean (in other words, not too soil-heavy, so that's good drainage and aeration of the roots -- what desert cacti need). But second, the pots are way too big for the plant...
by Steve Johnson
Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:47 pm
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: What is happening to my Pilosocereus Azureus?
Replies: 6
Views: 145

Re: What is happening to my Pilosocereus Azureus?

Here there are two pic of my cactus with zoom on the rot. Yeah, looks like a fungal infection that started on the growth point -- exactly the problem caused by lack of good airflow in your apartment. Since you don't have an over-watering problem and both cacti in the pot are well-anchored, your bes...
by Steve Johnson
Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:31 am
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Limestone top dressing
Replies: 9
Views: 181

Re: Limestone top dressing

In fact I am of the opinion that placing rocks on the soil mix is detrimental because it holds moisture around the base of the plant. If you have a good instinct about when to water then it will be ok I suppose. I've been using gravel top dressings on all of my cacti ever since I started the curren...
by Steve Johnson
Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:54 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Cactus cutting gone bad?
Replies: 52
Views: 2745

Re: Cactus cutting gone bad?

ossy96 wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:53 am Thank you Jerry Smith and Steve Johnson!
My pleasure! :D
by Steve Johnson
Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:48 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Fungus? Or something else?
Replies: 7
Views: 484

Re: Fungus? Or something else?

The roots actually look better than I expected. However, the Myrtillocactus is severely malnourished, so you'll need to fertilize it (and the rest of your cacti) every time you water -- and understand that the plant's recovery will be a slow process. Once again, you made a good choice with the Bonsa...
by Steve Johnson
Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:30 am
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Limestone top dressing
Replies: 9
Views: 181

Re: Limestone top dressing

Can't recommend it. Here's a very small example of the types of gravel top dressings I use: IMG_1028.JPG Looks like it's mostly or all river gravel, which is what I've preferred for many years. Just a matter of personal preference, though -- use whatever appeals to you. The point is to apply a nice ...
by Steve Johnson
Sun Mar 24, 2024 1:59 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: What is happening to my Pilosocereus Azureus?
Replies: 6
Views: 145

Re: What is happening to my Pilosocereus Azureus?

Where are you in the world and what kind of conditions do you get there? Knowing that is helpful in giving specific advice. Here's your answer: Hi, I live in Denmark. Cachi, please see this: https://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43819 What Zac just said is the reason why I send that link...
by Steve Johnson
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:18 pm
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Are you growing your cacti in a soilless mix?
Replies: 114
Views: 157815

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

Well pumice is not really available here and i dont really like perlite cause it floats... thats why i use the crushed red brick it is almost the same like clay granules just a bit sharper. Yes, indeed -- Perlite is the least preferable mineral because it's a floaty pain in the backside. If the cru...
by Steve Johnson
Sat Mar 23, 2024 6:43 pm
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Cactus cutting gone bad?
Replies: 52
Views: 2745

Re: Cactus cutting gone bad?

For a cactus where you can't get it out of the pot by pushing up from the center drain hole (or other drain holes), soaking the pot before you start won't hurt the plant because you will eventually be washing off all of the potting media and letting the roots dry a week or so. If you don't want to ...
by Steve Johnson
Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:33 am
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Are you growing your cacti in a soilless mix?
Replies: 114
Views: 157815

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

Thank you! Untill now i thought coir is the magic ingredient, and oh believe me every person i ask has such a different way to prepare the cactus soil, as i ask more people, the more comfused i am! I know the feeling, and sadly a lot of confusion comes from gardening websites. Given Mike's many yea...
by Steve Johnson
Thu Mar 21, 2024 11:01 pm
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Are you growing your cacti in a soilless mix?
Replies: 114
Views: 157815

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

I want to repot my echinopsis oxygona and some other cacti, in a few days, because of this i made some cactus soil with 20 % soil, 20% coconut coir, 30 % crushed red brick and tiles, 10 % river sand, 10 % perlite and 10 % seramis. Until now it was ok with soil from the garden, will it tolerate that...