Noob question

[GermanStar]

They're all over Phoenix and Scottsdale, and I'm sure I've never seen one killed by frost. If they damage from frost (never noticed that either), I suspect they easily and quickly outgrow that damage.

[Peterthecactusguy]

haha I didn't say they wouldnt grow back. There is a house that has one that is almost 20'X20' and it has been trimmed due to a utility pole it was planted near lol

[SnowFella]

Might just post this here if you are doubting Tony's "warning" about growth rates, here's just shy of one years worth of growth from my C. peruvians.

May 2011 after I just had moved it from one spot in the bed to it's new home. Mind you May is when things start cooling down here downunder.


December 2011, had a hot spring that come summer turned into cold and near insane amounts of rain. Since Jan 1st 2012 we have had 754mm's of rain spread over 113 days, 2011 that number was 360mm over 111days.


And the last photo I have of the whole bed, April 2012.


Since then it's put on nearly another foot's worth of growth through winter and is now pushing out atleast 3 new stems from the base

[gemhunter178]

Oh my! That's a heck of a lot of growth compared to many cacti (especially in that shape)!

[GermanStar]

That group of small cuttings I planted should be at least 15' high and 10' wide within 4 years, if my prior experience holds true, though I may try to slow 'em down by withholding water. A second cutting has also obviously rooted now, leaving the third as yet uncertain. I may just pull the third and toss it to erase all doubt. Two good cuttings is all I'll need to have a monster in no time. The third may be overkill given the constraints of its space.

[Peterthecactusguy]

in other words, we have had a lot of rain this year. BTW my San Pedros are growing like mad and one even sprouted a pup at the base. Basically all my plants are starting to take off from all the rain, save one Opuntia polycantha which apparently either didn't like all the rain, or didn't like the early summer heat when it wasn't raining.