Search found 4562 matches

by Steve Johnson
Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:33 am
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Are you growing your cacti in a soilless mix?
Replies: 126
Views: 647585

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: 126
Views: 647585

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...
by Steve Johnson
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:14 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Black spot - rot?
Replies: 7
Views: 2404

Re: Black spot - rot?

Thank you so much- this was incredibly helpful! Guess I have a weekend (year?) project ahead of me. I’m glad I have a chance at saving him! My pleasure! :D Assuming that your other cacti are in the same potting soil that got the San Pedro in trouble, now would be a good time to take them out of the...
by Steve Johnson
Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:07 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Black spot - rot?
Replies: 7
Views: 2404

Re: Black spot - rot?

Thank you; sad but I expected as much. Is the other portion still salvageable? Showing no black spots. I plan on getting a new pot and the potting soil if you think I can split the two. Nice thing about the forum is that experienced growers can help beginners go through the learning process, so you...
by Steve Johnson
Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:24 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Black spot - rot?
Replies: 7
Views: 2404

Re: Black spot - rot?

First of all, see this: https://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43819 The black area is dead tissue known as necrosis. Once it starts, it won't stop, and unfortunately your cactus won't survive since the necrosis started either in or below the base. I should also mention that your cactus is...
by Steve Johnson
Sat Mar 16, 2024 3:54 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Shore flies (Scatella stagnalis)
Replies: 2
Views: 2155

Re: Shore flies (Scatella stagnalis)

These little Shore Flies are around the same size as those nasty Sciarid Flies, but I don't think they do any harm. Anyone experienced them hanging around your succulents? https://imgur.com/a/jUdvAe4 Not on my plants, but they're kind of a nuisance when I go to the beach and explore the tidepools h...
by Steve Johnson
Wed Mar 13, 2024 10:04 pm
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: A "how-to" guide on acidification
Replies: 64
Views: 146720

Re: A "how-to" guide on acidification

Nino_G wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 12:22 pmThank you Steve! Very informative article, I learned a lot.
You're welcome! :D
by Steve Johnson
Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:24 pm
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: A "how-to" guide on acidification
Replies: 64
Views: 146720

Re: A "how-to" guide on acidification

I apologize for resurrecting relatively old thread, and I'm not sure if this is right thread at all, but I would like to discuss the effect of chlorine in tap water on our plants. It is somewhat confusing subject for me for I always thought water should be kept in an open dish for at least 24h to &...
by Steve Johnson
Sat Mar 09, 2024 10:57 pm
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Big scale infestation - please help
Replies: 7
Views: 2424

Re: Big scale infestation - please help

Another thought for all members who have been plagued by sucking pests (mealies, armored scale, and pest mites) -- they really do suck both figuratively and literally! From hydrobuilder.com (https://hydrobuilder.com/learn/npk-ratio-nutrient-balance/): "Magnesium and calcium go hand in hand, and...
by Steve Johnson
Sat Mar 09, 2024 7:13 pm
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Big scale infestation - please help
Replies: 7
Views: 2424

Re: Big scale infestation - please help

Definitely is. I've had scale outbreaks before, just never this bad. If you live in the US, I highly recommend an Imidacloprid soil soak. This is a systemic effect -- the Imidacloprid is taken up by the roots into the plant, making the plant's juices toxic to mealies and armored scale. Unfortunatel...
by Steve Johnson
Sat Mar 09, 2024 5:31 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Offset?
Replies: 10
Views: 2633

Re: Offset?

Very good! Overnight lows in my part of L.A. are slowly creeping up into the low 50s, although not consistent enough for deep watering until later this month. Your overnights aren't there yet, so I'm guessing early to mid-April before you'll be ready. When you are, the offset with roots means that y...
by Steve Johnson
Sat Mar 09, 2024 12:11 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Offset?
Replies: 10
Views: 2633

Re: Offset?

I'll cut it off and let it root. I've got another cutting I'm waiting to callous at the moment, so that won't be too much trouble. It's held on to the main body by a really thin attachment point, so the wounds on the plant and offset should heal without too much trouble. I've got sulfur powder and ...
by Steve Johnson
Fri Mar 08, 2024 4:06 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Offset?
Replies: 10
Views: 2633

Re: Offset?

I know, right?! It's growing straight downward. I wonder what the odds are that it'll right itself. I don't want it to just continue to grow down into the substrate, sucking away resources from the main plant. Agreed, and I'd also be concerned about the offset's lack of chlorophyll. Would you be in...
by Steve Johnson
Fri Mar 08, 2024 1:57 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Offset?
Replies: 10
Views: 2633

Re: Offset?

Yes, but an offset growing upside down? That's a new one. :?