North-central Californian grower

[promethean_spark]

There's a house in Davis with a large raised cactus bed in the yard that had some several foot tall C. straussii as I recal (10 years ago). If they're still there I guess they should do okay in Woodland too (I'm sure you've seen that yard if it's still like that). I have 3 of them on the back patio with only overhead protection, no side protection, and so far they haven't gone to mush - but the spines are too dense to really see if they suffered damage.
A couple years ago I almost lost a Manfreda sileri, the top went to mush but it came back from the roots. There may be hope for yours if it comes into shelter. It may be that they're hardy in the way canna lillies are, coming back after the top is razed by the cold. I haven't tried leaving it out since though.

[cactushobbyman]

We got down to 19 degrees and I covered the growth tips with styrofoam cups. Time will tell.

[BarryRice]

Here's something a bit odd. My Stetsonia coryne, which is quite happy and growing at its apex, just recently produced a squadron of long black spines near the plant's base. The areoles associated with the new spines are also somewhat enlarged and woolly. Is this typical? I had assumed that once a columnar cactus had produced the spines in an areole, it was done at that areole....

[adetheproducer]

I dont think they all know the rules, my stenocereus pruinosus does this too. When I bought it a few of thespines where knocked off a they grew back over the course of the summer.

[bluetexasbonnie]

I am overwhelmed by how many pots of cacti you have. Wow. They all look really happy.

I am curious, how do you keep the weeds from growing? That is a lot of bare dirt. In the pic it looks like it would be reasonably 'good' dirt.

[BarryRice]

Hey Bluetexasbonnie

My collection is tiny compared to many on this group.

As for the soil, I assume you mean the red dirt in my landscaping? It is a very low nitrogen soil, so even weeds take a while to get eatablished. And I am vigilant.

[bluetexasbonnie]

Thanks for response. Your collection is big enough to impress me. Do you think the others are over compensating?

[BarryRice]

I've reached that stage in collecting where I'm constantly trying to get rid of plants. I went through an early accumulation phase where I'd grow anything. Now, I'm getting more picky.

Cheers!

Barry

[BarryRice]

Hey all

On Steve Johnson's command, I'm showing off a few new toys I got from Miles 2 Go. Great specimens, I must say.

image.jpg (38.63 KiB) Viewed 3326 times

If you can't read my scribbles, the list is:


Peniocereus johnstonii
P. marianus
Ariocarpus retusus var. furfuraceus
A. retusus "Green"
Discocactus crystallophilus
Frailea castanea
Obregonia denegrii
Stenocactus sp. P1047

I included, in the photo, my largest seedling xPachgerocereus orcuttii, from seed I collected myself, to show off a little bit of seed propagation.

[fanaticactus]

All these photos are making me really itching to get going again after this prolonged horrible Winter.

[LophoFan]

That is a beautiful terscheckii you have there. Almost looks like a werdermannianus (which i guess is prettymuch the same thing). Nice collection!

[Steve Johnson]

Hey all

On Steve Johnson's command, I'm showing off a few new toys I got from Miles 2 Go. Great specimens, I must say.

Yep -- Miles sure knows how to deliver the goods, doesn't he? Once your new acquisitions establish, I'm sure you'll have fun watching their progress over this year's growing season. Great score, my friend!

[CactusFanDan]

Those new Stetsonia spines are beautiful. You've got to love the colour of fresh spines! Top notch plants from Miles Anderson too. I wish I could find more Peniocereus seeds or plants over here. Keep up the good growing.

[BarryRice]

First time flowers for my massive Echinopsis 'Flying Saucer'. It's in a 2-g pot, and is as big as it looks! Each flower is about 15 cm (6") across!

[fanaticactus]

Most stunning "flying saucers" I've ever seen!