Jump to content
The Corroboree

Lophophile

Members2
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    11

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Lophophile

  1. Posted

    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.

  2. Posted

    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.

  3. Posted

    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.

  9. Posted · Edited by Lophophile

    post-11119-0-85006400-1328678380_thumb.jpost-11119-0-85006400-1328678380_thumb.jpost-11119-0-85006400-1328678380_thumb.jpost-11119-0-85006400-1328678380_thumb.jpost-11119-0-85006400-1328678380_thumb.jFirst 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!

    post-11119-0-85006400-1328678380_thumb.jpg

    post-11119-0-85006400-1328678380_thumb.jpg

    • Like 3

  10. Posted

    Welcome mate! It's good to have someone with your experience join, I hope you enjoy your stay. :)

    I think I speak for all of us when I say we're also looking forward as well to your knowledge being shared.

    Secondly...

    Shit! Mine are completely exposed and the neighbour's cat could easily wreck the seedling trays. Thanks for the warning. I'll have to buy some shade-netting ASAP.

     

    No probs. The CAT. Dug into a pot containing a trich which was 12 feet approx. I was living in a unit on the 3rd story. I heard it go. Smashed into 3 pieces. No problem with them really. Hardy plants will grow on concrete.

    It's a small miracle I didn't kill the cat. I didn't even punish her was my fault. I've actually lost more cacti over the years to "Natural disasters", like the cat, than I've been able to grow. The cats been dead for a couple of years but I have more now and I've learned my lesson. Definitely cover or move your cacti if there is any possibility a cat can get at them. When I think about it that cat 'PIXIE' killed hundreds maybe thousands. Such is Life! I will post some pics soon. I don't have any recent photos when it stops raining I'll take a few snaps to share.

  11. Posted

    Hi All,

    Happy to have found a site where I can converse with other Cactophiles. User name sums it up really. I've been growing for 21 years. I don't consume them I just love growing. I've grown some very nice specimens over the years. I inherited a specimen from my Grandfather which at best guess minimum 60 years old more likely 70+. I'll get some pics up soon. The old one looks terrible it doesn't seem amazing to me, it's not, but I've taken some nice cuttings from it over the years. Every season I seem to learn a little more, mostly from observation. However it's a painfully slow process. I have developed a great deal of Patience from growing. I've had multiple disasters over the years eg my cat using a pot, with 150 several week old babies it, as it's litter box. All dead could not save one, almost cried. I grow Trichos as well. I've not tried grafting yet so I've plenty more to learn. I'm at the stage where attempting grafting wont effect my numbers if I fuck it up.

    Looking forward to sharing my knowledge with anyone who is interested and learning more from you all. I'll post again soon Bye for now.

    • Like 3
×