Lophophile Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) First thanks to all who replied and made me feel welcome. This specimen was originally my Grandfathers. I did not know my grandfather even grew cacti and he's been dead for 30 years. This is the only remaining specimen from his collection. I had been growing for 11 yrs when it was given to me. I went into shock when I saw the thing. The pic is from 6 years ago. What you see is only about 50% the original mass. unfortunately no photo when 1 piece. When it was one piece it measured 40cm x 15cm approx and had 3 flowering tops with many smaller ones. It looked very sick so I decided to break it up I cut 2 of the flowering tops off, roots in situ, making 2 more plants + 2 others without flowering tops ie 4 cuttings in total leaving what you see in this pic. My best guess is if grandpa grew it from seed it's 60 years old. However it may be much older. None of the seed from any of the tops has been viable. Why? Don't know. It looks like shit at the moment. Lots has died back. Water pools in the centre and has rotted a huge hole in the root mass. Growth is very slow. I have other specimens as large but much younger and look much more healthy. It really isn't the best I've seen just the oldest. How long do they live for? I don't know but I suspect if cared for, indefinitely. I will send more pics soon. One of the cuttings is unbelievable has more than 100 side pups but not spread out, too hard to describe more pics will come. Enjoy! Edited February 8, 2012 by Lophophile 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) edit- beat me BT Edited February 8, 2012 by Chef Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted February 8, 2012 G'day Lophophile. . Um, i cant see the pic? Is it just me? Maybe try again? Welcome to SAB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted February 8, 2012 i never got the notice of a new post added??? so i continued to type. But yeah, it seems, there is no pic'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bush Turkey Posted February 8, 2012 ahh you will have to put a space between enjoy! and the attachment Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattookay Posted February 8, 2012 im exited to see this now too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lophophile Posted February 8, 2012 im exited to see this now too! sorry is it there now im exited to see this now too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lophophile Posted February 8, 2012 Sorry can you see it now I fucked up I think 5 pics now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonstn Posted February 8, 2012 thats a monster!!! what a beauty your gramps sounds like a freaking champ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted February 8, 2012 If plants could talk, i am sure that cluster would have a story or two. It must have some sentimental value , being your grandfathers and all. Maybe you will be passing it down to your kids Lophophile. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CβL Posted February 8, 2012 That's impressive. I find it a huge guy for only a piece of the original. It's also such a shame that it had a tough time, but it's more important that it's still going. And also, just wondering what soil you have it in? It doesn't look like the type of soil that I use at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lophophile Posted February 8, 2012 So sorry I'm a Techno-retard forgive me I'll get it right next time. It looks ok but when I got it it was twice as big and I really did go into shock. I kept saying fuck me over and over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lophophile Posted February 8, 2012 Wait till you see the cuttings much more impressive in my opinion. Soil out of garden + sand + chunks of lime stone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lophophile Posted February 8, 2012 thats a monster!!! what a beauty your gramps sounds like a freaking champ Grandpa was a freak but died when I was young teenager. I didn't know anything about his cacti until given that thing christ only knows what was lost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lophophile Posted February 8, 2012 That's impressive. I find it a huge guy for only a piece of the original. It's also such a shame that it had a tough time, but it's more important that it's still going. And also, just wondering what soil you have it in? It doesn't look like the type of soil that I use at all. River sand, lime stone and a soil that drains well seems to work for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lophophile Posted February 8, 2012 If plants could talk, i am sure that cluster would have a story or two. It must have some sentimental value , being your grandfathers and all. Maybe you will be passing it down to your kids Lophophile. I reckon that that plant would have an amazing story to tell. it's been around longer than me, a lot longer. Sentimental value definitely, and will be passed on to my kids. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
noshiewa Posted February 8, 2012 nice . i hope to be able to pass my lophs and other cacti onto my grandchildren one day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lophophile Posted February 8, 2012 I'm glad you all like. I don't get to share my cacti with many people. Only one person has seen them other than me and he's a mad cactophile that lives next door. Actually 2 if I count my partner, but shes not interested, doesn't see what I see in them. A specimen like that is meaningless to her. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mauve Posted February 8, 2012 Wow, i am speechless...i do hope that one day i'll have grandchildren as interested as me in the sacred plants...sacred transmission you have there ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Distracted Posted February 8, 2012 Very nice. Good to see some older specimens are in Australia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
