Salvi

How's it going guys? I've had a large ~4 inch diameter T. pachanoi planted for probably 2.5 months and I thought it had rooted. Two branches had started and were growing quite nicely. However, a couple of days ago, I noticed it was a bit soft. I became curious and pulled it up to find that there were no roots. Since then I have covered the cut end with rooting powder and moved it into a shadier location. I also put it on a heating pad. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience rooting larger/older cuttings as I believe this is the reason it's being stubborn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

What sized containers are you using there?

Well then, rig it up as an incense burner, so the incense burns on the inside of the log, getting that smoke effect.

I haven't been here for a while so I figured I'd post a couple update pictures of my collection. First are some 7 month old T. bridgesii..they seem to be a hardy grower from seeds. Archaea, this is that small spine peruvian cutting you sent me in a trade a while back. It's fattening up nicely this season. Here is an L. Diffusa which is becoming a double crest? Not really sure what's going on with this one. Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus. One of these formed a large bulb from which many plantlets grew.

Any other opinions?

Anyone have any idea what this is? I'm not going to say what the seed was labeled as so as not to bias anyone..

lol well it was supposedly just "generic" L. diffusa. However, it really doesn't resemble any of the other plants that grew from the same seeds. Not just all of the pups, but the tubercles seem to be shaped differently. E.G. I'm pretty sure the tufts are soft on this one, and not spiny. I'll check to make sure.

Not yet.

Nah, this wasn't even supposed to be caespitosa, it's an odd one out of the batch.

lol, and no feedback either..can you say sketchy?

Damn, I'd be pissed! Can't they find something less valuable to eat? Maybe some lettuce or something.

Yes, depending on their environment, they may look similar, but are definitely different in appearance when grown in the same environment. At least that's my take on it. I've found the one I sent you can have a tendency to be rather spiny when grown in sunny/hot conditions, whereas the small spine doesn't seem to have this trait. Btw the seedlings you sent are doing well also, just not much to show at the moment. Although they are just getting to that stage where they are developing their unique characteristics..I can't wait for these to mature some more. I believe they were SS01 x T. pach? I'd have to check to be sure, but one is starting to look somewhat bridgesoid.

thanks birdman

Teo, can't you just chop off the normal growth and let the cristate part grow? Or is there like one growth point on one end of the plant? I guess I'm not really sure how cristate lophs tend to grow.

All I can is wow, that's one awesome collection man. Good job on caring for so many plants.

Hmm, I'm not so sure. I had another one split into two normal heads, and this one is definitely different and continues to look more and more cristate. I guess we'll find out.

I should note that the diffusa is on pereskiopsis, I guess it's not all that obvious. Sometimes it almost seems like seedlings grafted on pereskiopsis are more likely to mutate. Thanks for the input.

Nice poppies. They seem to go well with cacti.

You said you used fine sand..I don't believe that's a good thing for drainage. What you want is coarse sand. Also, most store bought cacti soils are garbage in my opinion, although I believe there are some specialty places that make their own mix for sale. I'd recommend mixing your own soil and probably repotting.

Does this growth look odd to anyone, or is it just me?

Here it is today: Is this what they call a dichotomy? It's kind of strange...this one seems to be growing much faster all of a sudden.

Could anyone in the U.S. tell me what kind of stores to find Schultz clay soil conditioner or Turface for baseball diamonds would work too. I've checked Lowe's, Home Depot, a local elevator, and more. The only place so far that had it was English Gardens but it was 30 bucks for 40 lbs..way overpriced in my opinion. Thanks pisgah, I'm gonna take a look at their catalog.

Ok, I think for grit I'm gonna use Schultz clay soil conditioner when I find some around here (It's kiln fired fuller's earth). I think I'm going to go with: 60% soil conditioner 20% coir 10% of roughly a third of each: dolomitic lime, diatomaceous earth, oyster shells 10% chopped up pine bark I mixed up everything but the conditioner and it looks like it would already drain real well. My question is shouldn't there be something with some nutrients in there? I'd rather not have to rely on synthetic fertilizers. I'd rather just use them as a supplement from time to time. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Hm, maybe I'll make it 10% coir and add in 10% compost then. Thanks for your suggestions.