If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
Imagine that you wake up one morning and discover that your collection was stolen overnight… or that an aggressive nematode killed all your cacti or that a small meteor hit your greenhouse . Imagine you are forced to move to a different country and cant take your cacti with you…
These all sound like terrible scenarios but they also open a possibility to do things better or differently…
Since I might be experiencing one of the above options … I would be happy to hear what you would do differently if you were to start your collection from scratch all over again. Maybe I could learn from your ideas…
These all sound like terrible scenarios but they also open a possibility to do things better or differently…
Since I might be experiencing one of the above options … I would be happy to hear what you would do differently if you were to start your collection from scratch all over again. Maybe I could learn from your ideas…
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
I'd begin to collect Blossfeldia though...
- Steve Johnson
- Posts: 4583
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:44 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
I'll send you a PM.Kipody wrote: ↑Tue Apr 16, 2024 10:20 am Imagine that you wake up one morning and discover that your collection was stolen overnight… or that an aggressive nematode killed all your cacti or that a small meteor hit your greenhouse . Imagine you are forced to move to a different country and cant take your cacti with you…
These all sound like terrible scenarios but they also open a possibility to do things better or differently…
Since I might be experiencing one of the above options … I would be happy to hear what you would do differently if you were to start your collection from scratch all over again. Maybe I could learn from your ideas…
If you just want photos without all the blather, please visit my Flickr gallery.
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
I would sow aztekium, pelecyphora and lots of ariocarpus. As many as I could get. But it's never too late......
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
I wouldn't plant Kalanchoe in my outdoor garden, at least not the species that invade everything if there is anything else
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
Or Frailea's maybe... This is just on a theory. The passion takes over common sense. I had a chance to start over from 0 when I moved to Canada and now again am out of growing space and keeping inappropriate species.
Sometimes I have a thought to leave my collection outside to adapt during the winter and to see how many would survive next spring.
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
- westfork
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2023 4:48 pm
- Location: IA/SD: USDA zone 4b/5a & heat zone 6/7.
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
I would build my berms using at least 80% river rock (1/4" - 1") in the soil mix instead of the 1/3 rock, 1/3 very coarse sand/ pea gravel, and 1/3 good topsoil I used back then. We have very cold winters and drainage needs to remain open even when soil is frozen deep.
Iowa / South Dakota border area. USDA zone 4b/5a Heat zone 6-7
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
I wouldn't have put my plants outdoors. I would have kept them indoors under gro-lights. Bringing them outdoors exposed them to rust fungus which has killed about half my collection. That was about 18years ago. The remaining half remain infected after all these years.
- Wiandry Adi
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Mon Sep 04, 2023 3:32 am
- Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
I was actually planning for this, as I'm on a plan to build a rooftop garden on a new house (hopefully someday I can afford to build it ) which means I will either work on entirely new plants or I still have enough few plants that last with me. Though, in this scenario, it's gonna be the former one so it'll be heartbreaking to see my lophophoras go but...Kipody wrote: ↑Tue Apr 16, 2024 10:20 am Imagine that you wake up one morning and discover that your collection was stolen overnight… or that an aggressive nematode killed all your cacti or that a small meteor hit your greenhouse . Imagine you are forced to move to a different country and cant take your cacti with you…
These all sound like terrible scenarios but they also open a possibility to do things better or differently…
Since I might be experiencing one of the above options … I would be happy to hear what you would do differently if you were to start your collection from scratch all over again. Maybe I could learn from your ideas…
...life goes on. I can live with that, but maybe every time I saw my new garden, I'll shed some tears remembering what I used to cherish
Tropical region, summer all year long
12 hours of sunlight (shaded by 1 p.m.)
Rains often from September to February
24°C at night, 32°-34°C at evening
Mix: scoria, pumice, zeolite, bamboo humus, and kanuma
Fertilizing may vary
12 hours of sunlight (shaded by 1 p.m.)
Rains often from September to February
24°C at night, 32°-34°C at evening
Mix: scoria, pumice, zeolite, bamboo humus, and kanuma
Fertilizing may vary
- Steve Johnson
- Posts: 4583
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:44 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
Well, it depends on where you live. With that in mind, see this:AirWreck wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2024 3:13 pm I wouldn't have put my plants outdoors. I would have kept them indoors under gro-lights. Bringing them outdoors exposed them to rust fungus which has killed about half my collection. That was about 18years ago. The remaining half remain infected after all these years.
https://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43816
Outdoor collections work remarkably well in a Mediterranean climate (like mine for example). If growers either want or need a greenhouse, IMO their collections are still outdoors. The only caveat with greenhouses -- ventilation fans are required to keep the air flowing.
If you just want photos without all the blather, please visit my Flickr gallery.
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
My current cacti collection is 4th which means I restarted 3 times from Nil. All interraptions of collections were caused by relocation in relation to my jobs. Between 3rd and 4th, I moved from Northern Hemisphere to Southern Hemisphere.
Climate, available cacti, available potting-mix and pot and locla law in relation to cacti may be different from previous location but you can restart to collect cacti to meet with the situation of new location.
I am not sure next one which may not be happened.
Climate, available cacti, available potting-mix and pot and locla law in relation to cacti may be different from previous location but you can restart to collect cacti to meet with the situation of new location.
I am not sure next one which may not be happened.
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
First I thought that cacti are totally forbidden in Australia because of that old story with Opuntia and rabbits...
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
G'morning 7george,
It is not acceptable "I did not know" in relation to law issue and so I joined a local cactus and succurent society just after moved in South Australia to get accurate information.
Frank
I have lived in just two states, New South Wales and South Australia and I do not know the situation of other states. Opentia species are "pest plants" in South Australia and you can not keep them. Two states, Westan Australia and Tasmania can not bring cactus plants from other states in Australia.First I thought that cacti are totally forbidden in Australia because of that old story with Opuntia and rabbits.
It is not acceptable "I did not know" in relation to law issue and so I joined a local cactus and succurent society just after moved in South Australia to get accurate information.
Frank
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
Bought only ‘windowsill friendly’ plants. As I grow all my plants on windowsills, I wouldn’t have bought c/s that outgrow the after all limited space , in a relativly short time and wil probably never flower in my care.
Re: If you were to start over, what would you do differently?
I would immediately check the roots for mealy bug or better yet only buy mail order from nurseries that don't have mealy bug ( miles 2 go ) . Save myself allot of trouble dealing with them 30 years ago.