Any suggestions on this?

rposcro · Post by **rposcro** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 5:55 am

Hello Guys,

I've got a problem with identifying this: http://www.rposcro.2-0.pl/cactoos.html
You'll find 5 different photos of the same plant at the link

Genesis:
I was travelling to Arizona and bought some strange (at least for someone who lives in Poland

fruit. The fruit had lots of seeds so I decided to plant them.
After a while almost all the seeds germinated.

Photo desc:
1. After two weeks since the germination.
2,3. About a month later.
4,5. After next 1-2 months they're dyeing and I've completely no idea why

Maybe a clue on the issue also?

Thanks a lot for any replies.
r

ajaxas · Post by **ajaxas** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:47 am

This URL does not work.

rposcro · Post by **rposcro** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 3:56 pm

ajaxas wrote:This URL does not work.

Sorry for that. Seems that my provider made a bad work

I'll post here again when it's up.

Thanks,
r

ihc6480 · Post by **ihc6480** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 12:52 am

Hi rposcro, welcome to the forum.

Can you describe what the fruit looked like or what the fruit was called when you acquired it?

Bill

Turtleman · Post by **Turtleman** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 11:54 pm

What is it with Arizona and everyone getting seed pods?

I cant think of a person that visits us that "Dosent" end up with seed pods from someplace..LOL.. I cant wait for the image.. so I'll start guessing..
Ummmmmm......... a cholla perhaps???

ihc6480 · Post by **ihc6480** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:14 am

Turtleman wrote:What is it with Arizona and everyone getting seed pods?

I cant think of a person that visits us that "Dosent" end up with seed pods from someplace..LOL.. I cant wait for the image.. so I'll start guessing..
Ummmmmm......... a cholla perhaps???

LOL....actually I was thinking along the line of either a cholla or prickly pear.
I can't think of any other cacti that grow in arizona

Bill

Post by **daiv** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:51 am

I'd even be so bold as to narrow it down to the fruit of O. ficus-indica, which would very likely be sold in markets in the Southwest US -particularily if the market caters to Mexican foods.

Ken1983 · Post by **Ken1983** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:17 pm

If its sold as a fruit, i guess it could be the dragon fruit. My mum bought them from the supermarkets. And i only recently know they grew from cactus.

Turtleman · Post by **Turtleman** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:29 am

Dont worry Ken,, Arizona has SO many different types of cactus that grow around here it isnt funny.. BUT!! the most common are the chollas and it just seems like everyone ends up with one,, eaither in a bag to take home or stuck in themselves and going home weather they like it or not! LOL

The sad thing here is the construction growth,, many of our natural mammies and other cacti are getting bulldozed over in the construction craze.. theres more and more people getting together and forming Cactus rescue groups,, at least there saveing some.. it use to be you could go out for a good dirt bike ride and see thousands of hedgehogs in full bloom all around...... now-a-days.. its hard to find any!

rposcro · Post by **rposcro** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:12 pm

Guys,

Thanks for all your answers

The link should work now, so please go there and check the photos: http://www.rposcro.2-0.pl/cactoos.html

It was similar to prickly pear (which I know from parks) but was rather green and a bit bigger.

My first guess was O. ficus-indica as daiv suggested but please verify it.

Thanks,
r

Post by **daiv** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 9:55 pm

Oh man! I don't know anyone who can ID an Opuntia by looking at the seedlings (including Dave Ferguson). But I can say that is definately Opuntia and if it was being sold at a market, then there is a 99% chance it is O. ficus-indica.

As for the health of these guys... They look pretty good to me. That soil looks a little rich, but otherwise fine. The cotyledons are supposed to dry up and go away.

Bill would be best to consult on this, probably.

Daiv

ihc6480 · Post by **ihc6480** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 12:26 am

Well at least we can ID them as seedlings

As Daiv has pointed out a proper ID on a seedling is nearly impossible. I agree it is more than likely O. ficus-indica if you bought the fruit at a market.
At this point the seedling pictures could also be easily mistaken for a Cylindropuntia (cholla) seedlings also.

They look like there doing well. Keep up the good growing and keep us posted.

Bill

Mike A · Post by **Mike A** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 3:44 pm

I'd go for Opuntia as well.

I got a Consolea (closely related to Opuntias) which looks exactly like that when it's young.

rposcro · Post by **rposcro** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:08 pm

Thanks Guys. Now I'm pretty sure it's Indigo

Unfortunatelly currently they do not look as good as it was last time

Please take a look at the newest photos and suggest some action for saving them

http://www.rposcro.2-0.pl/dyingindigo.html

I separated them and treat each group in a different way but actually nothing helps.

Thanks,
Robert

tumamoc · Post by **tumamoc** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:35 pm

I am no expert, but it looks like they need to have a more well-drained soil. Maybe a half gravelly sand, half topsoil mixture? Your planter needs a hole (or holes) in the bottom and some larger gravels along the base to sieve the water. Anyway, that seems to be the magic combination for my opuntias.