~A glimpse into my cacti world~

[WayneByerly]

... Your mix is strictly mineral if I remember right? Mine will have some organic matter in it...

Remember that cacti do NOT like having their roots constantly wet. It has been MY experience that not letting the soil of a cactus dry out completely between waterings is to invite root rot. I have killed many a cactus like this. So I have gone to using a mix that is anywhere between 80% and 100% inorganic, depending on the cactus. You can talk about "general" rules for cactus care all day long ... which will be "generally" true ... but you HAVE to remember that SOME cacti have very specific wants regarding their environment. Some will like bright sunlight ALL day long ... and some like partial shade because they sunburn easily. So for each cactus, you have to do the research for what THAT cactus wants.

You say that you have not been collecting succulents for long ... but you already have more plants that I do, and I have been growing/collecting them for years. And from what I hear you say, it seems as though you are doing good research to find out how to take care of your cacti.

Look for my posts, mainly in Member Topics, see what I've got, and If I can help you at all, I will be very glad to. Ask away ...

[WayneByerly]

.. im not sure if i'm gonna add more compost or some peat moss or ground soil.

Hi Elie
instead of peat moss, try coir ... it drains quickly, wets faster than peat moss, and does not rot away as quickly as peat moss does. I have had quite good luck with coir ... my problems have almost ALWAYS been because I did not use a high enough percentage of inorganic materials. I am now using 80 to 100% (depending on the specific requirements of the plant) mix of pumice, coir, coarse sand, turface, and 1/4" volcanic rock. This drains quickly, wets quickly, has SOME ability to hold a little bit of water, but dries fairly fast, and is quite light, so the roots don't have to struggle to grow through it.

[ElieEstephane]

.. im not sure if i'm gonna add more compost or some peat moss or ground soil.

Hi Elie
instead of peat moss, try coir ... it drains quickly, wets faster than peat moss, and does not rot away as quickly as peat moss does. I have had quite good luck with coir ... my problems have almost ALWAYS been because I did not use a high enough percentage of inorganic materials. I am now using 80 to 100% (depending on the specific requirements of the plant) mix of pumice, coir, coarse sand, turface, and 1/4" volcanic rock. This drains quickly, wets quickly, has SOME ability to hold a little bit of water, but dries fairly fast, and is quite light, so the roots don't have to struggle to grow through it.

Compost is actually my favorite go to organic material. It is very rich so i don't have to fertilize often. It also disintegrates by the end of the season into soil. So when i have to repot next season, the roots will come out very freely of the now mineral mix

[DesertSun]

... Your mix is strictly mineral if I remember right? Mine will have some organic matter in it...

Remember that cacti do NOT like having their roots constantly wet. It has been MY experience that not letting the soil of a cactus dry out completely between waterings is to invite root rot. I have killed many a cactus like this. So I have gone to using a mix that is anywhere between 80% and 100% inorganic, depending on the cactus. You can talk about "general" rules for cactus care all day long ... which will be "generally" true ... but you HAVE to remember that SOME cacti have very specific wants regarding their environment. Some will like bright sunlight ALL day long ... and some like partial shade because they sunburn easily. So for each cactus, you have to do the research for what THAT cactus wants.

You say that you have not been collecting succulents for long ... but you already have more plants that I do, and I have been growing/collecting them for years. And from what I hear you say, it seems as though you are doing good research to find out how to take care of your cacti.

Look for my posts, mainly in Member Topics, see what I've got, and If I can help you at all, I will be very glad to. Ask away ...

Thank you so much Wayne, for all the kind words and the great advice you have given me! I am going to follow your watering guidance! I really want to take experienced members' advice seriously and remember what each one has to say on important issues. So, guys and gals, I watered my cacti on the 23rd of March for the first time this season. It was a sunny day, and weather has been pretty mild lately, so I took the step. I am very pleased with how the soil mix I made responds, it is not water retentive, but I may have the issue in the hot summer months of having to water very often. But, honestly, I prefer that to having root rot, in any case it's best to dry out sooner than later, right?

[DesertSun]

Hi guys! A quick update to anyone interested. My collection is growing at a larger scale these days and I have reached the number of one hundred and fifty plants, both cacti and sucs. I notice that I am more interested in cacti, but I am always tempted by some sucs, so I get some of them also.
It's pretty crowded these days, but I intend to buy special shelve units to accommodate my cacti and sucs. I have grown an interest in cacti with interesting and wild spines, but, of course, there is noone that can deny beautiful flowers, isn't that so?
Most of my collection is now into plastic pots, as the weight is an issue and I also find them more easy to handle in terms of potting, moving, etc.
I don't buy expensive ones, as my focus is in the plants and their range, and not so in merely the aesthetics. It would be nice to have them both, naturally, but I have to choose as my space is limited in many terms.
The days are longer now, and I enjoy sitting around my plants and just breathe in the colors, textures and variety.
I wish all of you and your plants health and beauty!

[DesertSun]

Here is a glimpse into what's new or improved/grew in my collection of cacti and sucs.
Lots of new cacti have been added as I quickly became addicted and I can't imagine spending money on houseplants any more! (ok, maybe only some exceptional specimens).
I intend to order some vertical shelf units soon, as now all are placed in homemade DIY shelves and a big table. No harm done, they manage well, but I will then make some extra space, to get even more (there is no cure for this lovely disease, such a nice addiction to have!).

[DesertSun]

My Oreocereus seems so much happier in his new soil mix!

[ElieEstephane]

Very nice choices marina!
I really like the euphorbia! All the ones i found are terrible.
In case you need ids, the echeveria is pulidonis and the cactus is an echinopsis, maybe oxygona

[DesertSun]

Thank you very much Elie! I just love to see how everything is growing and to also add gradually to my collection!
Thank you greatly for the ID's also! It is indeed an oxygona and today I noticed it's forming a bud for me, yay!

[DesertSun]

Hello guys! My cacti are doing well, noticing new growth on most of them and I also have some new succulents added. Not in the rate
that I do for cacti though. I think that by time I will come to a point when I decide to give up on sucs in favor of my cacti, so I have more space
for them, but right now it hasn't gone so far, so I'm keeping some sucs.
I ordered some more unusual cacti, I mean ones that you don't find at the local nurseries but have to buy online. I am going to slowly move towards
having some rarer ones as oppossed to the quick growing, mass sold cacti of the nurseries.
I am going to show you when they arrive!
Here are some pictures from my collection right now.

[Briguytm]

Hello guys! My cacti are doing well, noticing new growth on most of them and I also have some new succulents added. Not in the rate
that I do for cacti though. I think that by time I will come to a point when I decide to give up on sucs in favor of my cacti, so I have more space
for them, but right now it hasn't gone so far, so I'm keeping some sucs.
I ordered some more unusual cacti, I mean ones that you don't find at the local nurseries but have to buy online. I am going to slowly move towards
having some rarer ones as oppossed to the quick growing, mass sold cacti of the nurseries.
I am going to show you when they arrive!
Here are some pictures from my collection right now.

What’s the second plant from the top? Some sort of Parodia?

[ElieEstephane]

Beautiful new additions! In my opinion, mass grown plants are a pleasure to keep. They grow fast, flower easily and don't give you much trouble.

[ElieEstephane]

What’s the second plant from the top? Some sort of Parodia?

Notocactus (ex parodia) agnetae

[Briguytm]

Thanks!! My friend has one and I haven’t really gotten into that genus much so I was never able to tell him.

[DesertSun]

Hello guys and thank you for your comments and help!
My balcony is looking super cool right now, as I have changed my cacti display. My fiance helped me into putting up new shelves,
which are still DIY, but better that the previous ones. I have now more space to put my new cacti that I have ordered and can't wait to have!
Some are blooming and I'm going to show you. Also, some of my succulents are right now in full bloom, mostly Sedum, Kalanchoe and Echeverias.
I have some cuttings that I am going to pot today and I am going to show you later in the week.
As my succulents are growing and as they are getting bigger, I decided to expand the collection to the yard we have downstairs, as I am sure I will need the room for my cacti collection. Love the succs, but love my cacti more!
Here what is new into my cacti world!