Cactus Grower Tips and Tricks

[magical9]

I was curious if ya'll could elaborate on how you do things in your garden to achieve certain outcomes, for example, pruning a cactus in such a way that allows for the cactus to redirect its energy into new growth in other areas like you can do with traditional plants. Like in order to speed up growth or focus growth.

Also, i would like to protect my cactus from monsoon weather so i was curious if there was a method anyone used to protect their cactus from high winds/debris. I want to build a metal pipe frame then use somthing like white canvas/fabric of sorts as a sort of shade cloth and debris protector. A fabric like the picture below. somthing like this.. what do ya'll think?

[djmattz0r]

As long as you anchor that sucker down really well I think it'd work as a nice shade cloth and barrier. Just remember it's a giant sail even though its semi-permeable to wind.

I have been trying to figure out what my options are for such things on the coast where the possibility of strong winds/hurricanes is possible. Need a solid greenhouse

[magical9]

This would be ideal... with a more light permeable roof

[djmattz0r]

I do like that, and can keep animals out of the plants

[hostilis]

I'm actually looking to make a shade structure like that for my plants currently. That dog kennel type set up is a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

[magical9]

I found this site that has all the fittings and such that i need, plus a site for custom shade cloth tarps! pretty cheap!

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/custom-shade-cloth/shade-cloth

http://tarps.com/chrome2.htm

[AZS]

I like greenhousemegastore for shade cloth but I use the cheaper bulk roll type, usually 30% black. If you don't need too much structural support from monsoon debris you can also save a little money by going with 1" or larger PVC ( 20 foot sticks ) and just stabbing it into the ground (after using an auger to drill holes - alternative method is to adapt a hose to the same size PVC and "water bore" the holes) The arches can be spaced at any interval desired but 4 - 5 feet works OK. The shade cloth should be attached to the PVC and will act as a sun and wind break for the cacti. The PVC will last longer if you put a coat of paint on it to protect from UV.

Edited June 10, 2014 by AZS

[hostilis]

Is that your set up AZS?

[magical9]

Im looking to build that exact thing but with steel pipe in about the same size space.

[AZS]

Is that your set up AZS?

The one in the previous photo belongs to a friend.

Here is a photo of one of my PVC shade structures. I use whatever I have available!

The shade comes off in October ( except for the new seedlings. )

There are also pipe benders available online for metal chain link fence top-rail. Hoop structures of different sizes can be made with them.

I haven't used any but they do look promising - has anyone made hoops using any of these?

http://www.hoopbenders.net/

http://www.lostcreek.net/

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/assets/information/9018_quickhoops-high-tunnel_bender_instruction-manual.pdf

[magical9]

so ive been thinking, AZS have you seen this setup withstand monsoon season? thats my main fear. I want to have some sort of sturdy shade structure that protects against flying debris and such although thats not really a problem usually.

[djmattz0r]

If you have a hoop house you can sink a couple of 2x4's into the ground on each end and use it as an anchor point for wind. It's what my boss does at his house and it seems to work so far with all the nasty storms we've gotten recently.

[AZS]

Yes they are amazingly robust - monsoon wind is not a problem with these - the PVC bows and flexes with the wind and it passed right through the 30% shade cloth - higher percent cloth pulls more though. If you are completely out in the open use 1.5 - 2" PVC - that's strong stuff when it's bent!

Debris is another problem - obviously the cloth can only withstand minimal falling branches etc

[waterboy 2.0]

Ghetto shade house I knocked up a coupla years ago, mostly to house new shiitake logs...was supposed to be "temporary".

Now also use it for running some cuttings through and housing a few shade lovers. Cacti would freeze to death in it here however.

Fencing star posts driven in the ground with 2 inch polypipe as the hoops. The hoops were stiffened by spanning some scrounged timber fastened with roofing tek screws. The 2 inch pipe is very strong.....

Used a few shadecloth staple plates to fasten the cloth to the timber and used cable-ties to stitch the cloth up and fasten to the polypipe. 50% shadecloth and tacked on the extra piece last year as the summer was hellish and needed somewhere to hide from it...lol

I am up on a mountain , and this thing has copped gale force winds,a couple of thick blankets of snow and so-far all minor tree limbs have bounced off it One day though a tree is gunna smash it.

[theuserformallyknownasd00d]

My misso's father's ute had most of its windows and panels replaced after a storm ripped one of them sales off its anchor... I'd go with the polytunnels!

[hostilis]

I put this sloppy thing together today. It doesn't look the greatest, but it's surprisingly very sturdy and fits my needs very well. It's just basically those flat metal stake things with holes drilled down the sides, some 60% green shade cloth, and some zip ties.

[AZS]

Now that's an awesome home-made shade setup!

I find that common zip ties break down from UV light in a few months - if you find that to be the case with these you can just use nylon clothesline cut int 6" or so lengths and tie the shade together with square knots - It looks a little ghetto but sure does the trick and lasts many years and can be untied and adjusted if you need to make changes.

[hostilis]

I could have gotten aluminum zip ties. If the plastic ones break down I will definitely switch to those.

[zelly]

I went to a cactus & succulent plant sale today at the Huntington and got to talking with some growers and learned a few tips...

* add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar per gallon of water you water your potted cacti with to totally eliminate the calcium / mineral buildup on the sides of the pots

* when rooting cuts or offsets, they root the fastest in plastic pots

* avoid clay pots that have glazing on the inside.

[hostilis]

Sweet. I actually have been using 1 teaspoon per gallon. I'll start using 2 tablespoons and see if it improves much. I've actually had much better growth since I started putting vinegar in my water. Bigger spines, hairier tufts, more flowers, ect... Probably one of the best pieces of advice I've ever gotten.

[magical9]

Ive noticed that when i root in my 2gal-5gal black plastic nursery pots using 0.5cuft SAND : 0.5cuft DECOMPOSED GRANITE : 1cuft cactus mix. that the sand seems to attract moisture and hold it. Ive lost quite a few cuttings that just turned to goopy mush. upon removing them from the plastic pot I could tell the mix was damp. It doesnt happen to all my cuttings but maybe some are more susceptible? i dont know. Ive switched now to locally made cactus mix only, as it breathes really well AND im starting to use fabric smart pots so that should air the roots out dramatically.

[_Cursive]

Dusting powdered sulphur on to cacti is a great way to keep mites/bugs away.

[naja naja]

Piss on them, regularly. Very regularly. Ur citrus trees will get jealous. But the cacti grow well. Rock dust also. That's just great for everything in general.

[Auxin]

"Your prickly pears taste like shit, mate"

"Thats odd... they shouldnt taste like shit"