I only get bird holes in my lithops and pliospilos. They stay away from the E. knippelianus. There's one version of E. knippelianus that blooms from the top (ssp. reyesii) and one that blooms from the sides. The one that blooms from the top has many more flowers and flowers over a longer period, in my experience.tumamoc wrote:The plants all look great! And nicely displayed, too. I especially like the beautiful malachite juxtaposed with "Fred".
The Echinocereus knippelianus ssp. reyesii is interesting--I've never seen knips bloom on top like that. If that was my plant, it would have a bunch of bird holes in it.
TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Disclaimer: I'm in sunny Arizona, so any advice I give may not apply in your circumstances.
Tim
Tim
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Well, I think it's my watering and feeding regimen. Although there are some who claim my watering and feeding regimen has been "discredited" and is "nuts."RichR wrote: How do get your plants to bloom so prodigiously?
I prefer to let the results speak for themselves...
Disclaimer: I'm in sunny Arizona, so any advice I give may not apply in your circumstances.
Tim
Tim
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
A few flower pictures from my extended hiatus...
Disclaimer: I'm in sunny Arizona, so any advice I give may not apply in your circumstances.
Tim
Tim
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Fantastic stuff, Tim. What is your watering and feeding regimen? Is there a thread here (forgive me for forgetting, if so).
peterb
peterb
Zone 9
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Beautiful!!!!
It’s not the fall that kills you; it’s the sudden stop at the end.
Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001)
Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001)
- gemhunter178
- Posts: 2762
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:10 pm
- Location: Massachusetts,USA. Zone 6A
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Nice Arios!
A cactus and succulent collector who especially likes Ariocarpus. …Though I have a bit of everything! Want some pictures? See my flickr! I also do art and such.
- Minime8484
- Posts: 1395
- Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 12:09 am
- Location: Chandler, AZ
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Really love that sphaerica - but, truly they are all beauties!
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Amazing sphaerica! Wish mine would bloom like that, my flowers hardly clear the spines for some reason.
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Thanks everyone! One of the things I like the best about the M. sphaerica is the nice lemony scent they give off.
I have two of them. Here's a picture of both of them. They made a second set of flowers, not as many as the first set...
The first two are in 6" pots. The seedings are in 2.25" pots.
I have two of them. Here's a picture of both of them. They made a second set of flowers, not as many as the first set...
The first two are in 6" pots. The seedings are in 2.25" pots.
Disclaimer: I'm in sunny Arizona, so any advice I give may not apply in your circumstances.
Tim
Tim
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
I use a regimen based on articles in the CSSA Journal by Malcom Burleigh, Elton Roberts and D. Russell Wagner.peterb wrote:Fantastic stuff, Tim. What is your watering and feeding regimen? Is there a thread here (forgive me for forgetting, if so).
peterb
I asked for and received reprints in PDF form from the authors a while ago. Unfortunately, I can't attach them to a message because of size and/or format. If you want them, let me know and I'll email them to you. Or you can contact the authors directly, they will be happy to send them to you.
Here are the specifics on the published articles.
1. Acidic Solutions, CSSA Journal, Malcom Burleigh, Elton Roberts, D Russell Wagner 80/5 Sept-Oct 2008, pp. 245-250.
2. Ammonium, Nitrogen and Acidic Water for Xerophytic Plant Growth, Elton Roberts, Malcom Burleigh, CSSA Journal 82/4 July-Aug 2010, pp. 176-181.
3. Watering Systems for Success in Growing Plants, Using Low pH and Ammonium Nitrogen, Elton Roberts and Malcom Burleigh CSSA Journal 82/6 Nov-Dec 2010, pp. 266-275.
I use citric acid to acidulate the water. I like it the best because I only need about one tablespoon per 30 gallons of water as opposed to 2 cups of acetic acid (vinegar.) I generally need about 60 gallons of water for my plants. See, I told you I have too many plants!
I recommend their regimen enthusiastically. If you have any complaints or disputes with their findings, please address them directly to the authors, not me.
Other contributing factors (in my opinion) are that I live in Central Arizona and my plants receive astounding amounts of solar radiation as well as warmth. I also water the heck out of my plants. I, for one, like big puffy plants.
My tap water is usually like this:
8.0-8.2 pH
375-450ppm dissolved crapola
I believe both of those are pretty extreme for tap water.
I also let the water sit for a couple of days before use to allow the chlorine to float away.
Disclaimer: I'm in sunny Arizona, so any advice I give may not apply in your circumstances.
Tim
Tim
- hoteidoc
- Posts: 2136
- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:56 pm
- Location: Finger Lakes region, NY Zone 6b
- Contact:
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Welcome back from hiatus! As you said, results speak for themselves! The Parodia you saved from mites -- looks gorgeous!
Once bitten by the cactus collecting/growing bug, there is no known cure!
There's no 12 step programme for Cactaholics...so I shall just have to get some more!!
There's no 12 step programme for Cactaholics...so I shall just have to get some more!!
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Oh, yes, the acidified water does make a huge difference, there's no doubt. I have those articles in the Journal and use a modified approach, mostly out of laziness. I also count on slightly acidic rain water several times a year. Great looking plants!
peterb
peterb
Zone 9
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Thanks Peter. We haven't had much rain up here this year. I always prefer rainwater.
I found a place in phoenix by the airport to get citric acid in bulk. Using vinegar makes things smell like pickles.
I found a place in phoenix by the airport to get citric acid in bulk. Using vinegar makes things smell like pickles.
Disclaimer: I'm in sunny Arizona, so any advice I give may not apply in your circumstances.
Tim
Tim
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
Looking forward to seeing more of your "big puffy plants" this year Tim, everything looks great as usual!
I'm doing the same thing basically, but I'm still pickling mine.
I'm doing the same thing basically, but I'm still pickling mine.
Forget the dog...Beware of the plants!!!
Tony
Tony
Re: TimN 2012 Photo Topic
I have a rainwater collection system.
This is probably a stupid question, but if my rain water is not in the 5-5.5 pH range, do I need to acidify it to bring it down?
Are you supposed to still add the ammonium sulfate to rainwater in this regimen?
This is probably a stupid question, but if my rain water is not in the 5-5.5 pH range, do I need to acidify it to bring it down?
Are you supposed to still add the ammonium sulfate to rainwater in this regimen?