Growing Desert Cactus

Diamond vs. Emerald - which is more valuable?

2011-12-13T10:31:00.000-08:00

Diamond -
The application came as a surprise to the market, which saw the company's shares surge 53 percent on Friday after an analyst wrote that he expected to see the investigation come to a quick end, with a finding of no evidence of wrongdoing. In a release, Diamond said it expects to receive a note for a lack of compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department, but it will still b
e able to trade on the market. Read also - Top valued minerals in geology
Emerald - Exclusive 2.4 Ct Diamond Eternity Wedding Band Emerald Prong 14k White Gold. Metal weight 5 grams. The stone is Diamond weight 2.4 carat Emerald cut Prong setting.

Are you going organize Sesame street party?

2011-11-12T10:57:00.001-08:00

You can find one letter of the day and one number of the day in each Sesame Street episode. For Sesame party time, guests may enjoy these games from the Birthday in a Box. This is a game where the letter of the day is the first letter of the birthday child’s name. To begin a game, you must say the party guests that you are going to be setting a timer and they will need to think of every word they can which starts with the letter of the day.
You can organize for the Sesame street party guests to have fun while making their own mini pizzas.

Dangerous Situation with Propane Heaters

2011-08-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

Ventless propane heater is a good option for office and home needs.The use of propane-based heating systems, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the operating costs halved the heating system, while an electric heater will increase the cost twice.Ventless propane garage heaters are therefore economically efficient.More than that, it is an environmentally friendly and clean fuel, which was approved by the Clean Air Act and National Energy Policy Act.As if all this is not enough, a non-toxic gas propane.

For this reason it will not harm the soil or the air.The percentage of a dangerous situation because of propane are considerably less, since it is a truly exceptional fuel.It is very easy and so rise in the atmosphere, where, although it does not mix with oxygen does.Therefore, ventless propane heaters have a lot of outstanding features.It is worth noting that you be careful to do while installing ventless propane heaters because a lot of moisture produced when fuel is burned in the ventless models.

This situation may in time become a very important problem with mold in the garage, which can occur especially when th garage is well insulated and for this reason, the moist air tends to escape the garage, but stay in the game because it does not "t have a way away.Apparently no one, especially when it is used as a workshop as well wants to problems with mold in the garage.

Advanced Solar Collector

2011-06-03T06:21:00.000-07:00

Solar panels are what you need to convert heat from sunlight into energy absorbed.A typical panel is composed of certain number of cells, coupled to generate electricity.There are various sizes of cells available in the market.Those you choose should suit your needs.

Solar energy be generated for different household requirements such as boiling water, cooking and lighting of your rooms can be used.Most countries have already made significant progress in the production of this form of energy that needs never made use of fuel in some form.Photon photovoltaics will be a process of the past, solar panels in many styles today, but the recent breakthrough in solar energy is IAU "Advanced Solar Collector".

This technology tries to harness the power of the sun through a different design of solar cells available.Instead of harnessing contained in silicon and phosphorus, and wood products is to use this new technology to the power of the sun itself.This is by far the most recent breakthrough in solar energy to date.The heat generated by the sun, and an automated system of control of these boards, to keep them at a 90 degree angle from the sun to generate this type of solar cell capable of a powerful energy source.

This technology tries to harness the power of the sun through a different design of solar cells available.Instead of harnessing contained in silicon and phosphorus, and wood products is to use this new technology to the power of the sun itself.This is by far the most recent breakthrough in solar energy to date.The heat generated by the sun, and an automated system of control of these boards, to keep them at a 90 degree angle from the sun to generate this type of solar cell capable of a powerful energy source.

Kids Party Ideas - Super Mario Brothers and Green Lantern Themes

2011-05-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

Welcome everyone with a personalized Super Mario Brothers party banner hanging on the outside of the house. You can add yellow and red balloon bouquets near the entrance as well. In this version of hot potato, the kids toss a Bomb-omb!

Have all of the kids sit or stand in a circle. One child is chosen as “Mario” and he/she begins passing a black ball (the Bomb-omb) around the circle, while the “Mario” turns his/her head with eyes closed.

The Green Lantern birthday party has a back story that is a little different from most other superhero stories. You can also buy some Green Lantern comic books to decorate the place of your future party. You can take the pages of comic books to hang on the wall as a last-minute wallpaper.

Monitoring of the Fireplace Damper

2011-03-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

You can buy them at hardware stores, fireplace shops and online retailers at low prices.Properly damper form a seal, do not allow that air filter through.As fire grows older, the metal plates that form the flap moved from the effects of heat and moisture.Since the seal is deteriorating, more air can escape through the chimney, even when the door closed.

It should be noted well that regular monitoring of the fireplace damper is required.It must be checked periodically used for security purposes. The type of fireplace damper, which are also available neck mount, which is made of cast iron and fitted top.You can buy them in stores or fireplace built to the exact dimensions of your fireplace.If you have a large chimney and / or a shape unconventional one, you will more than likely have to have a made to order.Damper / cap combinations are commercially available.

In general, the damper, a metal-metal form, which leakage prevented.With some of the newer fireplace designs, closed keys can be especially dangerous because burning torch through the simple flip of a switch can.By closing the door slightly, lower the heat circulates and remains in your house to deliver heat can not be by gas or electric heating systems.It will make you a chance to a significant savings in heating costs.

Blaze King stoves and Torpedo Heaters

2011-02-20T08:08:00.000-08:00

Most of Blaze King stoves provide the optimum heating efficiency from solid wood fuel. Imagine, that when wood is initially burned in the firebox of the stove, usually as much as one-third of the woods energy is released as gases and liquid/vapor materials. Blaze King catalytic combustor stoves capture these gases and materials and then burns them instead of allowing this valuable energy source to escape up the chimney.

Gas Fired portable torpedo heater has continuous electronic ignition, variable heat angles, fuel safety shutoff, and automatic overheat shutoff. Such heater can perfectly heat such small spaces as workshops, barns, warehouses, or construction sites. Larger units (factories, warehouses, airplane hangars, agricultural settings, and other large open areas) can also be heated by this portable torpedo propane heater. LP units include 10-ft. hose and regulator.

Charmglow and Chromalox Heaters

2011-01-24T03:39:00.000-08:00

You should keep in mind that this heater requires hook-up by a qualified electrician. Make sure you purchase the appropriate voltage and wiring option for your needs. This model draws 31 amps of power and must be wired to a 40 amp circuit breaker.

The Chromalox heater provides quiet, reliable fan-forced heating in residential garages and small shops, as well as all types of commercial and industrial structures.

Electric Charmglow patio heaters are safe to use inside your screened in porch or outside on an open deck or patio. Note: natural gas, propane or kerosene heaters require a well-ventilated room. Most outdoor patio heaters have anti-tip shut off features that stop the flow of gas if your Charmglow patio heater is bumped or tips over.

If you are using a gas Charmglow patio heater in a three-season porch, you should always leave a window cracked. It’s very important to have a carbon monoxide detector somewhere on the porch just in case.

Tankless Heaters of the Brand Noritz

2010-11-16T07:42:00.000-08:00

There are many different reasons to purchase one of the heaters of the brand Noritz. Tankless water heaters make it take longer for you to get your hot water, since they don’t start heating the water until you turn on the faucet. As a rule, they add 10 – 20 seconds to the time it takes to get hot water to the fixture.

The biggest components to a tankless water heater are the burner and heat exchange, the heart of the system. Instead of using just one flame burner, Noritz utilizes two burners instead, not only heating the water running through the system faster, but the second row also captures and burns and left over gases that have escaped from the first, reducing emissions, stabilizing water heat variations, and boosting flow rate.

There is a minimum flow rate required to turn on the heater, typically between .5 gallons per minute and .75 gallons per minute. This means letting the faucet run with just a trickle of hot or warm water will not work. You will need at least 1/2 gallon per minute of flow or more to turn on the unit. These Noritz tankless water heaters with 9.3GPM capacity is one of the first products offered that is made with commercial grade components and materials.

Efficency of Stoves with Wood Pellets as Fuel

2010-07-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

We'd love to install not just the pipes from the street to the house that would be pretty expensive, but would in our case, we all heating pipes to replace the house, and our oven, because it was already too old to natural gas be changed and our hot water heating as well.After we have an estimate for parts and labor, we have realized that to take almost all of our annual income, to convert natural gas.Since we both like to eat, and we decided that electricity was such a conversion at this time is simply not a workable solution.

The home that we had bought was an old house that had an oil stove and it smelled, kicked when the thermostat on the heat.For this reason, one of the first upgrades we put into the home was a new heat source.We had passed a fire in the house, inspection, so we could into a pellet stove fireplace insert place to do that without other structural changes.Although the consumer can obtain a free-standing pellet stove, get the correct piping and installed, by a contractor, and have a nice and efficient heat source.

Main advantages of wood pellet stoves:

One of the key benefits of efficiency are pellet stoves is their efficiency.These ovens have an average efficiency of 85 percent.Others such as electricity and gas stoves usually have a maximum heat output of 75 percent.This will also benefit to the next.

Heat

The heat provided by wood pellet stoves is uniform and constant.Some ovens have fans and thermostats to distribute the heat evenly throughout the room.

This provides direct radiant heat, which is more comfortable.Owner can change the settings to regulate the fuel supply automatically. Don't forget about fire extinguishers.

Waste

The pellets used in stoves, wood pellets are burned down almost completely. And they are great alternative to portable fire pits. These encounters very little smoke, so you do not have to build a large chimney to funnel smoke from the house.The small amount of smoke will be sent out through a small tube.Also, because the pellets are burned so completely, is the wood pellet stove, only a small cup of ashes.In some cases, you only have to empty the ash once a month.We had begun to change in lifestyle, in which we started, things and acting in a manner that was more environmentally friendly.

About Efficiency of Wood Burning Fisher and EPA Stoves

2010-06-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

Fisher wood stoves released about 50 – 80 grams of smoke for every kilogram of wood that was burned. By closing steel chimney off and limiting release to only a small hole, 6 inches in diameter, the heat would be retained in the room. It’s very important to underline that the new clean burning Fisher stove released less than 6 grams of smoke on every 1 kilogram of wood that was burned. These new clean burning stoves are known as EPA outdoor wood stoves.

The fire could also be controlled more easily. In addition, these new wood stoves could easily be used for cooling. Fisher wood stoves were made from heavy steel plates Â¼’ and 5/16′ thick. The doors were made of cast-iron. Bob Fisher gave the original names for the models of stoves. They were “Papa Bear,” “Momma Bear” and “Baby Bear.” Nowadays the stoves designed by Bob Fisher are manufactured no more. However, they are still sold as vintage goods and have become collectors’ items.
In the mid-1980s the old wood stoves were replaced by clean burning stoves.

You can also read more about Enerco garage heaters - http://garageheatersshop.com/enerco-portable-heaters.html - These are effective garage heating units.

As for the design, the design of the Fisher stove was based on observing how heat was lost from a wood burning fireplace. The Fisher wood stoves had a plume-pipe that extended from the top of the steel box structure and released the smoke outside. Older models had steel doors. Newer models had heat resistant glass doors to show the fire within.

Bellows for Wood Burning Stoves and Heaters

2010-06-20T01:14:00.000-07:00

There are two types of fireplace bellows in those days.These include the single-acting piston bellows joint and the double-acting.The functions bellows by air in and expel the air in two separate and different movements of the handles.The double-acting piston bellows to allow air to be blown in two strokes of the bellows "handles.It is very important to stress that this brat to be stronger.

They provide more air than the traditional single piston bellows.Fireplace bellows consists of an air chamber and a valve (or nozzle.can) The air chamber is like an accordion design, to grow it and get flexible contract.Fireplace bellows two handles, which concluded when, strength, breathe in the Hall ", drawing air inside for storage.If the handles are pushed down, the air chamber forces the air through the nozzle.Air from the nozzle and onto a small fire or smoldering log to stoke the flames.

The handles are raised again and again and pushed the air is sucked in and pushed, so that for the regular features of the air.The wood burning heaters is a stove, the water-coated according to the following scheme works: the water that the oven is heated and pumped through the pipes, cover to heat the building.Heating is not the only function of the wood stove.To obey the wood stove for hot water in sufficient quantity to meet the needs of an entire house.

Mineral Dolomite and Sedimentology

2010-06-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

That said, there may be a higher proportion of one cation than the other, are shown in the general chemical composition of the above chart.The higher the temperature, the greater the leniency to this rule.At higher temperatures, the molecules and the structure of dolomite excited and can expand to accept different amounts of cations.Iron (Fe ² +) can also be for both cations to an extent replaced.Generally Dolomites as a magnesium-iron ratio of at least 4:1 is defined. Sedimentology studies all types of dolomites.

Higher amounts of iron in the solution may appoint another intermediate form called ankerite solid solution, a complete solution with fixed forms dolomite.Occurrence USES Dolomite is a relatively common mineral and is a major component of sedimentary dolomite.Nesse (2000) writes, is that known as dolomite dolomite.

It will be generally formed as a limestone as a result of diagenetic alteration of calcite, but other theories of its origin in the last few centuries have been created.Nesse (2000) claims that increasing the replacement of calcite to dolomite pore space in the original limestone, dolomite beds allow serve as a reservoir rock for oil deposits can.Dolomite can also occur in hypothermal, mesothermal and epithermal veins, nuclear medicine, massive and widespread hydrothermal deposits replacement, carbonatite, marble, lime-silicate gneisses, skarn and associated regional contact and metamorphic rocks of limestone, won dolomite and other carbonate -rich sediments (Nesse, 2000; Chesterman, 1978).

Some places where is dolomite occurrence are known, the Dolomites in northern Italy, under the Abu Dhabi sabkhas, United Arab Emirates, in the ephermeral lakes of the South Australian Coorong Lagoon in the Ontario peninsula between Lakes Erie, Ontario, Huron and the Mississippi Valley.

Using of Social Work Licensing Tests

2010-05-19T23:55:00.000-07:00

There are some states that only regulate one of these practice levels. You should keep in mind that most states will license two or more levels of social workers.

Social workers, who managed to complete the Minnesota social work licensing process, are able to demonstrate a commitment to upholding the professional codes of conduct in their field.

Usually states regulate 4 main categories of social workers that include:

� Graduates who have a bachelor’s degrees
� Graduates who have a master’s degrees
� MSWs with 2 years of post-master’s direct clinical social work experience

You should also keep in mind that Minnesota social work license is not transferable from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, because each state has its own laws and regulations. Nowadays the majority of states use licensing tests conducted by the ASWB. So now it’s much easier to transfer licensing credentials from state to state. But it’s very important to underline that requirements will change across borders, and in most instances you will need to retake your licensing exam.

Social work licensing requirements can be different in different states. That is why you should look through your state’s specifications in advance. The majority of states require 2 years (3,000 hours) of supervised field experience in order to become a licensed social worker in Georgia. Also you can work in Minnesota debt releif company.

If you’re able to meet your state’s fieldwork qualifications, then you should register to take a licensing examination. Each state drafts individual pass/fail guidelines for the test. That is why it is so important to check your state’s guidelines beforehand.

Patio Freestanding ireplace

2010-05-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

You can choose a free standing wood burning fireplace unit which has a traditional look or opt for a modern or better still one that has a more contemporary appearance. Like with any other fireplace design, making the right choice is the first and arguably main step that will ensure the unit enhances the look of the space in addition to performing its intended function.

Free standing fireplaces are not built into wall meaning they can be moved and placed to virtually any available space. Numerous free standing fireplace designs are available nowadays, and they amaze because of their exclusive charm and appeal. Any of the innumerable free standing fireplace designs is to become an focal point of attraction in any room. In order to come up with the most suitable free standing fireplace design, you should to consider size, the and choice of fuel. Read also abour outdoor patio fire pits - No doubt that the wood fire pits give a wonderful glow and sound from the natural wood.

The location of the free standing fireplace where it is going to be placed hugely determines the design that you will opt for. Typically, a free standing fireplace can be placed interiorly or exteriorly, or on patios to utilize a functional space especially when the evenings and nights are cold.

Caralluma Fimbriata supplement

2010-02-19T02:33:00.000-08:00

Caralluma Fimbriata is usually eaten in various forms.For example, it is cooked as a regular vegetable with spices and salt.It is also used in preserves such as pickles and chutneys. It is even eaten raw. Caralluma Fimbriata is known for his ability to the activity of various enzymes, the blocks then described the formation of fat pad, forcing fat reserves to be burned.In addition, it has an effect on the appetite control mechanism of the brain. It is very important to emphasize that Caralluma Fimbriata to bring your appetite to their normal level of help.So now you see that Caralluma Fimbriata is really worth a try ...

There have always been very effective, not only in reducing the appetite with the help of the weight down, but it also shows the loss in inches.It's amazing, is not it? You can use this herb, buy in the form of capsules.And it is recommended to be taken an hour before lunch and one hour before dinner.Usually there are no side-effects of this supplement.

But still the herb itself can cause bloating and acidity in some people.In any case, you should remember that Caralluma Fimbriata is not a magic pill.It's effective.However, if you want to get good results in weight loss, then you should change your lifestyle to achieve.

Acai Berry Tree

2009-11-23T04:32:00.000-08:00

Acai Berry is prominent among the various people in the world and has replaced the blue bay on the food map. It has become No. 1 SUPERFOOD in the world after having been known as an amazing fruit with many beneficial properties.Everyone is to opt for the fruit diet scale to extract all the health benefits it presents.There is a question that often arises in the minds of many people if they can grow Acai Palms at home and they were also curious to know the points to be considered while planting a Acai Palms at home. And acai berry weight loss benefits are healthy.

If you have a health store near you, you can buy fresh, frozen or dried acai berries if you can find them.Or you can buy in this online form.Since this is a food rich in nutrients, you can cook with it and add it to your favorite recipes.This works well as a cereal Topping, in granola, smoothies, yogurt, ice cream, low fat and things like muffins and cookies (as they are low in fat!).You can also find Acai extract. The advantage to take Acai in this form is that nutrients will be super concentrated. Also, if you live in a climate where acai berries do not grow, it can be a good way to make it as fresh and focused as possible.If you wish, you can also take the form of Acai capsules. The capsules are good if you want to take Acai as easily as possible and continue to receive benefits. If you make it part of your daily vitamins and minerals, this treatment will be easier to make consistently
Additional acai berry information about diet.

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The Cactus Family - Cactaceae

2009-10-18T04:54:00.000-07:00

The scientific name of the cactus family Cactaceae is.The Cactaceae are mostly spiny succulents with photosynthetic stems that are a little more than 100 genera and species from 1500 to 1800 (Neffeler 2002).
A succulent is a plant that stores water for times when water is scarce.They are commonly found in arid environments such as deserts or semi-desert.They can also live in areas of extreme rainfall, but unreliable (as when it rains only once or twice a year in quick bursts).The cactus plants are among the most remarkable and characteristics of hot and arid areas of the New World (Nyffeler, 2002).

The cactus family is entirely of U.S. origin.Most species of cacti occur on the ground while few can be found in the leaves of trees in tropical rainforests (Zomlefer 1994).Centers of diversity, arid regions of North and South America, including the southwestern United States and Mexico, eastern Brazil and eastern and western slopes of the Andes of South America (Nyffeler 2002.)

Others may occur in the Eastern and Middle Western U.S. The northern boundaries of cacti including Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and even the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario when they go south to the aforementioned fields of South America ( Benson 1969).

In the U. S. , The cacti are most abundant in Arizona, Texas and parts of southern California and New Mexico (Bowers, Burgess, & Turner 1995).The most remarkable species of cactus in the appeal stage is gigantic sequaro (Carnegia gigantea), considered the most succulent in the U.S. (Kearny, Peebles, 1969).
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1081607/cactaceae_the_cactus_family.html?cat=32

KEEPING CACTUS ALIVE IN WINTER

2006-09-15T12:21:00.000-07:00

During the dormant period (winter) your cactus should be watered only enough to prevent it from shriveling. Don't water at all if it is humid for an extended period. During dormancy water is not taken in as rapidly by the plants roots, nor does it evaporate as quickly, and the result might be root rot. If possible bring your cactus inside the house and place it by a sunny window so it can continue to grow (slowly) through the winter. There are however other methods, as this cactophile explains.

Cacti are well suited to being packaged for extended periods without light or water, they will almost always arrive at your house in good condition. As most species are cold resistant, they can be shipped any time of year. Since Cacti are tough and hardy, they don't have to be shipped by an overnight service, like most tropicals.

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About a couple weeks before the first hard frost (see Farmer's Almanac for dates) make sure that the soil dries up completely (shielding the plants from rain if required). Then just move the containers inside my garage to protect the cacti from freezing. The temperature in the attached, but unheated garage drops to about 38 degrees during the coldest part of Winter. There is no window, or lights available. The cacti remain sheltered in the garage, in total darkness, all Winter until you bring them out in the Spring after all danger of frost is past.

You can keep them under a shaded patio for a week or so, and slowly move them to partial direct sun, then full sun over the course of two weeks (they are subject to sunburn if exposed to direct sun immediately after emergence from the dark.) They are watered lightly each week unless water is provided naturally by rain.

When they are accustomed to full sun (May / June in my zone 5/6 location) you can use Miracle Grow plant food (as directed for container plants, even though they are exposed to the rain outdoors.) Then you should repeat fertilizing every 3 weeks or so during the Summer.

By July there is usually some good new growth which is very explosive in August and continues (slower) into late September. By late October the cycle continues and they are again placed in the dark shelter of a garage.

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The Use of Cactus

2006-07-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

Cactus has also had other practical uses. The long, soft spines of Oerocereus celsianus are used as pillow and bed stuffing. Spines of other cacti are used as toothpicks, combs, sewing needles and fishhooks. Yet other cacti are used as building materials and as living fences or hedges.

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One the earliest recorded cultivation of a specific cactus species for a specific purpose was by the Aztecs. They grew Opuntia coccenillifera which acted as a host to the cochineal scale insect. It was harvested and crushed to produce a dye that was either a rich purple (from the female scales) or a brilliant scarlet (from the male scales). The dye was used in fabrics and cosmetics.

How to prepare cacti for cooking

2006-07-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

To prepare for cooking, the cactus thorns must be removed, carefully, with a potato peeler or sharp-pointed knife. To prepare abut 20 small, tender Nopales, cut the de-spined Nopales into squares and boil in salted water with 1/2 teaspoon of soda and one chopped onion for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the Naoales are tender. Drain, season to taste and serve.

Some Tips about Watering

2006-06-16T00:07:00.000-07:00

Rain water is always better than tap water, but most species of succulents and cactus plants will tolerate chlorinated municipal water. Pouring a stream of water over these plants with a watering can, as if they were a spider plants, should be avoided, because this method produces conditions more favorable for growing fungus then succulents. When the plants are in a growth cycle they will be interested in plenty of water, and bottom watering is the best method. If the plant is not in a rapid growth cycle its better to avoid soaking the roots and a lit occasional misting can be a good way to regulate water. Wetting these plants from the top with very lit mistings will require avoiding two potential problems. The first is that ugly deposits from tap water can accumulate on the skin of succulents and using rain or distilled water can avoid this problem. The second thing that needs to be avoided is wetting the bodies of these plants while they are in sunlight. A wet cactus in the sun light can cause sun burning which can lead to scares or even fungal infections and death. Bottom watering is the easiest and best way to maintain these plants, but the soil almost always needs to remain dry when the plants are resting.

Watering needs to be done according to the growth cycles of succulents and cactus plants, and knowing when to expect this is only somewhat useful. Some succulents do most of their growing during the winter then rest during the summer months, and these need plenty of water. Other succulents and most cactus plants do most of their growing in the spring and if they're going to bloom they will do so at the end of this spring growth cycle. A few species of cacti will do most of their growing and blooming in the cool fall weather at the end of a hot dry summer. The best way to understand when the succulents are likely to go into a growth cycle is to know the species name and do some research, but what holds true in habitat will often fail in house plant conditions.

As a four seasons house plant it is difficult if not impossible to imitate the natural watering cycles succulents and cactus plants have and expect them to grow and rest exactly as they would in nature. The timing of when to water and when to keep the pot dry is best regulated according to signs of growth from the plants own sense of timing. The beginning of watering cycle in the spring can be determined by watching for signs of new growth such as the emergence of new spines or even a flower bud. When the plants have finished growing and or blooming then it is time to start drying them out. For most of these plants there should be two wet and two dry cycles and when they need water they can be incorporated into the same routine as other houseplants. The most important adjustments that will insure the long term survival of succulent and cactus house plants is to stop watering them when they are resting, and resume watering when they begin to grow.

Over watering can cause swelling or elongation of succulents and cactus plants, and it's important to avoid mistaking these conditions for growth. When plants are in their resting cycle they won't show the emergence any new spines or fresh skin, but they can look like they are growing if they are over watered. This is very bad and the plant is actually under stress and can die from too much water. In this situation it is important to stop watering the plant and keep it warm until it dries out again. If the soil is extremely wet removing the plant from soil completely and letting the roots dry out can often save the plants life. An unpoted plant can be dried out for several weeks under a plant light or by indirect sunlight. Later the water stressed plant can be potted in mostly dry soil and allowed to finish out its rest period in a dry condition. This has to be done before any fungus has started to set in for the procedure to be effective, because once fungus has started in an over watered plant it's time to start making funeral preparations.

Note: Lithops are an exception in that when they show the emergence of new leaves they need to remain dry even though they look like they are growing.

When plants are resting in their summer cycle an occasional small watering will be fine for most species as long as they can dry out between watering. Some succulents and cactus plants will actually delay their spring growth cycle until summer in more northern climates in which case they will need plenty of water. When this happens it's important to remember that these plants will be very happy to remain dryer when they are ready to rest in the fall.

In the late fall it is a good idea to bath the plants and wash off any dust and sticky residues that may have accumulated to prepare them for their long winter sleep. Some species produce small amounts of sticky secretions, which may hardly be noticeable to us, but can become an invitation to fungi if the plants are left unclean. Growth for most species of cactus will be hardly noticeable in the fall washing can be considered the last watering for the next 5 to 6 months.

During the winter for most species withholding water completely is the best method. Many plants will show signs of shrinkage during this dry period but this is normal and good as long as the roots do not disintegrate. Before deciding to water cactus plants because of shrinkage it is a good idea to examine the roots. The plant can be removed and replanted in their soil if the roots are kept dry before, during and after this procedure. If the roots are healthy and the body of the plant isn't producing any new spines it's better to continue to keep the shrunken plant dry. If the fine roots are becoming brittle and disappearing then very small amounts of water may be needed and this is best done by misting the plant after it is repotted. Even if the plant is shrunken and the roots are breaking off it is still better to avoid getting the roots wet. In all cases it's best to continue to avoid any kind of heavy watering until the plant shows signs of wanting to grow again in the spring.

In the Spring after plants have been in their winter rest, it is very important to withhold watering until the plants actually begin to show signs of growth. It is often the case that succulent and cactus plants are the most vulnerable to rot from over watering just before they begin to enter a new spring growth cycle. Some species accept watering before they are ready to grow, but it is very risky to attempt to push any plant into a growth cycle with water too soon. There will be some plants with indications of growth that are difficult to see and obviously watering can't be postponed indefinitely. If the plant has been kept completely dry through the winter and has rested for over 6 months it may be safe to resume watering without seeing signs of growth as long as the plant has daytime warmth and enough sun.

When the plants are ready to grow the best way to give them their first spring watering is to soak the roots by setting the pots briefly in bowls of water. In more northern climates most species of cactus plants will be interested in growing in late spring or early summer, and it's important to patiently keep these plants dry until the plants decide for themselves that spring has finally arrived.

You can find more information on windowsillcactus.com

Cactus Photo Gallery

2006-06-15T23:54:00.000-07:00

Trichocereus spachianus (syn. Echinopsis spachiana	Opuntia aciculata	A cactus, about 100 years old	Echinocereus
Echinofossulocactus	Ferocactus echidne	Schlumbergera truncata	Trichocereus pachanoi
Opuntia

Equipment for Cacti

2006-06-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

Supplies that may be helpful when potting succulent and cactus plants are a pair of tongs and a brush.

For succulent and cactus plants a pair of tongs are sometimes helpful for handling thorny and spiny situations situations.

A sumi brush is stiff and soft enough for cleaning away insects and debris.

What about artificial cactus?

2006-06-05T02:45:00.000-07:00

Do you like to decorate your home with artificial plants? Would you like to know the types of artificial plants available for your indoor decoration?

The plants that you are using in your home may not provide you a natural appearance and may require more attention. Therefore you may not be feeling as contented as you could be, with an artificial cactus plant.

As you imagine you are away from all your worries right now, the artificial cactus plant can help you in this. These cactus plants make a great gift, and not to mention the atmosphere change they can bring to your home with their greenish colour.

You can decorate your home by placing an artificial cactus plant in the hall way or near to the steps, etc. These artificial cacti bring a natural look to your home and the appearance is pleasing to the eye. With the help of natural appearance you can feel more relaxed and happier. It requires only a little care, therefore you can still enjoy your own time with no worries. They are manufactured from high quality materials to provide a realistic appearance in your home.Besides you can get these cacti at the best prices in the market.

In addition, it will save you money and time!

Interested to know more about artificial cactus plants? You can find more information about artificial cati on http://www.artificialflowerz.com/

Growing succulents - Stapelia

2006-06-04T04:37:00.000-07:00

The natural habitats for Stapelia species is Africa and they are sometimes named 'The Starfish Cactus', 'Starfish Flower' or 'Carrion Plant'. They grow as soft stems that spread like clumps of grass without spines or thorns, and produce some of the most beautiful flowers of all succulents. The flowers usually have a hairy look perhaps to imitate the appearance of a small dead animal. They are known as carrion flowers because when the bloom opens it gives off a deep rotting smell imitating dead animal matter. The stapelia flowers usually attract flies as pollinators instead of nectar seeking insects like honey bees, so if you like their beautiful flowers be ready for some bad smells too. Usually the odor is only strong enough to notice if you are very close to the flower, but some species can fill a room with a death like smell. Fortunately the odors are only strong for about a day if they are going to be noticeable at all.

Unlike many other succulents Stapeliads need to be uprooted, sorted and repotted every few years. Flowers occur only on new stems and each stem will only live for a few years before it is likely to rot. Every few summers it's good to sort out the new growth and dispose of the older stems to keep these plants healthy and improve flowering potential. They may grow a little in the spring, but do most of their growing in the late fall and early winter when they are most likely to bloom too. It's best to sort out the stems while the plants are resting in the summer before they begin their fall growth cycle. If this is done in the winter after they've flowered be sure to take extra precautions to keep them dry, because damp cool conditions when the plants are resting is an invitation to fungal infections. In any season it's best to lay the stems out for several days before replanting them and then pot them only in dry soil and with hold any water until they begin to shrivel or start growing again. Any time when there is a dead or dying stem in the pot it is important to remove it immediately and completely before other healthy stems can become ill too. Stapelia growth cycles make new generations and the older stems have to be removed as they become ill and die so the new ones have a chance to grow and flower.

The flowers will give off odors when they completely open and if the plants need to be relocated when it blooms it's best to move the plant before the buds form, or after the flower begins to open. Moving the plants as they are developing buds may cause it to spontaneously abort its flowers all together. These varieties flower easily as house plants in colors that range from pink through dark purples and yellow through orange and tan. They will tolerate lots of rain in the summer months, and keeping them outdoors in filtered light will encourage them to flower after they are brought in for the fall. They will tolerate very hot weather outdoors as long as they have partial shade, but they need to be returned indoors if temperatures are going to go below the 40s. It's good to keep them out in cool fall weather for as long as possible, because seasonal temperature cooling will help prompt them to bloom.

The most challenging part of growing these plants is keeping them alive in the winter months, because they can be very susceptible to fungus rot. An easy and effective watering strategy is to drizzle them with very small amounts of water on a biweekly basis and never bottom water the pots in the winter. When winter ends and they begin to grow again, they will require much more water and soaking the pots from the bottom will no longer put the plants at risk for rot. In the spring they will grow well in partial shade and leaving them out in the rain may provide them with the water they need. In the summer months they will tolerate heavy rain, but will be just as happy if the season is dry. In the fall keep them outdoors until the night time temperatures drop below the 40s, and this will prompt them to bloom in early winter. As soon as they are through blooming it is time let the pots dry out and resume only an occasional lit watering schedule until spring returns. Caring for Stapeliads as four seasons house plants is easy as long as their needs are met with each passing season.

Growing Succulents - Faucaria

2006-05-31T23:39:00.000-07:00

Faucaria are low growing succulents from South Africa and a good choice for anyone wanting to start growing succulents as house plants. They are exceptional guinea pigs for practicing succulent plant care on because if they start to rot there is usually part of the plant that can be removed and rooted. They will tolerate a wide variety of soil types and growing locations as long as there is plenty of sun. Want appears to be thorns are actually soft warty growths and they make large flowers for their small size.

In very dry warm regions these succulents make very impressive out door ground covers. In a more northern humid four seasons climate they are moderately challenging as indoor plants. On most points they are very easy to grow and will tolerate some over watering, but the challenge is to help them keep their compact form and prevent elongation of the stem.

As house plants they tend to grow in fair weather and rest when temperatures are too hot or too cool. For them to remain compact and natural looking they have to be keep dry when they are resting. They will do their best and are more likely to flower in a bright southern window and it's almost impossible to stress them with too much window sun. Their leaves will change to a beautiful darker shade when the seasons bring more sun light, and their bright yellow flowers will usually come out in the fall.

Using Vinegar on Succulent and Cactus Plants

2006-05-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

Vinegar may be used on cactus and succulent plants on the condition that, in most cases, the product is rinsed off of these plants very very soon after it is applied. Vinegar left to dry on these plants can cause cosmetic damage to skin or worse cause enough damage to leaves, stems or the root systems to open the door to death by fungal infection.

The vinegar we've tried is intended for use in cooking which, in most cases, is a weaker acid than horticulture vinegar. For our tests vinegar was sprayed of several varieties in an amount that would completely cover the plants in 2 applications given 2 weeks apart in time. We have no interest in testing horticulture vinegar, because the vinegar for cooking proved to be strong enough to show results both harmful and with some benefits.

In some cases the damage caused by vinegar only left scares, but in others the applications created conditions for fungus to attack these plants. Some plants such as Aloe, Haworthia and Euphorbia suffered small amounts of cosmetic skin damage. Other plants sprayed in the same manner such as Hurenia, Echinocereus, Mammillaria and Rebutia suffered fatal results. The plants which died from the applications of vinegar were done in by fungal infections anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months after the second application of vinegar. It is important to keep in mind that cactus plants often appear healthy for several months after they have been fatally damaged. All of the plants we subjected to 2 spray applications of vinegar suffered some kind of damage if the vinegar was left to dry on the plants.

Beneficial Uses of Vinegar on Cacti and Succulents - 4 Different Kinds.

1. Removing hard water stains from cactus and succulent plants:

Two things have to be done for this to work with the minimum risk of harming the plants; first remove the plants from their soil and second rinse the vinegar off of the plants very very soon after the application. Spraying vinegar on a potted plant and letting the fluid run into the soil can, in some cases, lead to the death of the plant. Working with the plant removed from its soil will keep the vinegar from soaking into the roots and minimize the potential for root damage. The Ferocactus pictured above has the kind of hard water stains that typically build up on plants watered frequently with tap water.

This plant was unpotted, sprayed with vinegar for about a 30 second exposure and then all of the vinegar was rinsed off under running water. The vinegar dissolved the hard water stains and the cactus was repotted a few days later. In general it is a good idea to dry cactus plants out, in bare root form, for a few days before repotting them. A good location for this drying out period is in a northern window where they will receive indirect sun. Any time a cactus is being potted or repotted it is better to keep the roots dry and, as it was in this case the entire plant was left to dry for a few days before being repotted. This Ferocactus is now free of hard water deposits and is being watered with rain water to prevent the development of new hard water stains.

2. Vinegar as a solvent for removing insects:

It is almost impossible to make a recommendation for using vinegar for insect control, however horticultural vinegar may be a different matter, and we are ignoring this kind of product. We only tried vinegar for cooking as an insect removal solvent, and generally it is less effective than alcohol based products, or for that matter products designed to control insects like commercial insecticides.

Insects have water resistant surfaces which provide protection for them in nature. It appears to be the case that removing insects with vinegar is almost as effective as using plain water because of the animal's ability to repel water. In an attempt to remove some mealy bugs from a Hurenia the vinegar would be repelled and the insects had to be scrubbed off with more force than if a solution of soapy water had been used.

Perhaps enough exposure to vinegar would be toxic to insects and there may be some insects which can be easily destroyed by vinegar, but keep in mind that the cactus or succulent plants may also be harmed by the vinegar.

3. Vinegar as an agent for controlling surface fungus on plants:

Note: Vinegar applied to broad leaf plants with surface mold will often cause the plant to drop the leaf. This is also the case for succulents which produce thin leaf structures like Euphorbia milii (Crown of Thorns).

Usually if a cactus or succulent plants have fungal infections the plants are simply going to die, but with surface mold the plants will have some skin damage but survive. We applied vinegar (of a strength intended for use in cooking) to a Crassula argentea (Jade Plant) and an Euphorbia meloformis with good results. The application of vinegar arrested the spread of the mold with one very light spray application only to the locations where the mold was attacking the plants. These plants retained scars on their skin where the vinegar was applied, and they would certainly have scars from the mold no matter how this mold had been treated.

4. Using vinegar to stop mold from destroying cactus seedlings.

Vinegar has been very useful for us in stopping some kinds of mold when germinating seeds. There are many kinds of mold that can become problems when growing cactus and succulent plants from seed, and usually it is only a matter of removing some decaying organic matter. Often a seed which fails to germinate will turn into a fuzzy ball of mold and removing this small mass of fungus from the seed medium will be the end of this kind of mold problem.

There are also problems with mold caused by Sciara flies laying eggs in medium for germinating cactus seeds, and vinegar is unlikely to do much in the way of helping to stop this problem. More information on Sciara flies and cactus seed starting?

The kind of mold vinegar has proved itself to be effective in stopping is a long slender structured mold that rapidly grows across the surface of the soil. This kind of mold growth is very destructive to seedlings and can wipe out an entire seed tray in less than a week if allowed to grow unchecked. In repeated trials a very gentle misting of vinegar on this kind of mold has stopped it, and saved hundreds of newly emerging cactus seedlings. The applications were a gentle mist applied with a spray bottle only one time, and the vinegar also landed on newly emerging seedlings too. The seedlings have always survived the vinegar application, but it is surely the case that too much vinegar would harm cactus seedlings too. With this kind of mold, which is very fatal to seedlings, it is well worth the risk to apply a small amount of vinegar to the mold and seedlings in order to stop the mold.

How to Prevent Skin Damage?

2006-05-20T04:46:00.000-07:00

It is attractive to have some decorative stones around the top of the flower pot, but this can be functional too. Succulent and Cactus plants used as topiaries will gain several benefits when the flower pots are topped off with rocks. The top rocks will prevent rain from washing away the soil and help keep the cactus clean. Without top rocks the rain will splatter potting soil back up on the sides of plants and this not only looks bad but can be harmful too. The small spots of dirt can eventually cause scars or even cause a terminal case of rot by encouraging fungi to grow.

Another benefit with top rocks is they help prevent squirrels from digging in the soil. Imagine finding peanuts and walnuts buried in the potting soil when repotting plants which have been out doors for the growing season. Squirrels are very curious and they can damage cactus plants, in spite of the spines, when they are checking for food. The farther north you live the more likely you are to have squirrels digging in your flower pots. The best way to discourage these fluffy tailed diggers is to top off flower pots with rocks--the rougher the rocks the better.

You can find more interesting information about cacti on windowsillcactus.com

Cactus Flowering.

2006-05-15T23:41:00.001-07:00

Encouraging cactus plants to bloom is usually a matter sunlight, water and especially the age of any specific variety. Cactus plants reach flowering age according to their species with some becoming ready to bloom in a few years, and others taking decades before making their first flowers. There are many varieties which almost never bloom as house plants, but the majority of them may bloom with good conditions. It is important to avoid thinking of cactus and succulent plants as unusual sorts of vineless garden vegetables. The same considerations for garden plants like sunlight, water and soil nutrients are important, but increasing all of these things as though the cactus were a tomato plant will often fail to achieve the desired results. These things do encourage flowers to happen, but must be considered according to the specialized needs of succulent and cactus plants. Keeping all care in the order of seasonal changes when providing the plants with sunlight, water and soil nutrients will encourage cactus plants to bloom as long as they are old enough.

The most important flowering requirement is sunlight in the growing seasons, and the amount of sun light needed to produce blooms will very greatly for different species of cacti. For cactus plants which seem unwilling to bloom more sunlight is the first thing to try by finding brighter locations for these plants. To encourage flowers as well as the general health of these plants, light needs to be abundant primarily in the spring, summer and fall. Most species of cactus plants will flower better if light is lowered in the winter and then increased in the spring in order to stimulate buds. Winter is a time for keeping cacti cool, dry and out of excessive sunlight and for most species this is more beneficial than keeping them in the hottest southern window all winter. In this winter rest period too much sun becomes counterproductive and causes plants to use up their stored energy reserves just to survive instead of saving resources for making flowers. If cactus plants are old enough to bloom but haven't made flowers yet, the first and best thing to try is increasing sun exposure during their growing seasons.

Watering cacti must be done according to seasonal changes, and for the promotion of flowers water is a necessity. For most species; plenty of water is needed after the plants begin to show signs of their new spring growth, occasional small amounts of water in the summer and only slightly increased amounts from late summer to fall. The winter season requires a long period with very dry soil and it is ineffective for encouraging flowers to water cactus plants too much while they are resting. Wet soil in the winter causes numerous problems like distorted growth, scaring of the skin, and worst of all watering may cause them to die from fungal infection. To end the long dry winter resting period for most cactus varieties it is usually best to wait and see that they are showing signs of new spring growth, and then resume watering. Water must be given or withheld according to seasons, and after they have started to develop their flower buds or are growing new spines from the top of the plant they will need plenty of water to make flowers. Please note that some species of cacti like Epiphyllum, Hatiora and Schlumbergera need some water year round and an extended winter dry period will harm these varieties.

Fertilizer is often considered to be a way to produce flowers from many plant varieties, but with cactus plants it's difficult to tell whether adding nutrients to their soil actually makes them more willing to flower. If fertilizer is going to be used it is best to use a product designed specifically for cactus and succulents and follow the label directions. If there are no specific directions an application of fertilizer once in the spring may give the plants a slightly higher potential for producing flowers, but for the most part fertilizing only makes the plant caregiver feel like they've made their best efforts. Cactus and succulent plants grow slowly and store up the energy they need for flowers over long periods of time, and in most cases it's more a matter of waiting for the plant to reach a mature age than increasing the fertility of their soil.

It's important to avoid imagining that cactus plants are like vineless garden vegetables which will bloom with lots and lots of sun, water and fertilizer. Cactus and succulent plants are resourceful and conservative which allows them to live in harsh environments, and it is counterproductive to pamper them with abundance. Giving them sun, water and good soil will cause them to produce flowers if their needs are met according to seasonal changes. ^

Growing Cacti - Flower Pots.

2006-05-15T23:39:00.000-07:00

Most people who grow succulents and cactus plants in flower pots believe that the clay pot works better than plastic ones. This is more a matter of personal preference and what works best for each individuals plant care giving habits. Use plastic, plain clay or glazed clay pots, as long as there is a hole in the bottom for water drainage. Whether you decide to use clay or plastic it is important that the roots never soak for long periods of time in standing water, so avoid leaving standing water in a dish under the flower any pots.

Size matters to the root system of any potted plant, and it is important that roots have room to grow. In most cases it is more important to leave some space for the roots to grow than it is to try and keep the pot size small. It's true that a smaller pot will dry out more quickly, but if the roots are stressed by being too confined it will cause the plant to be at risk for a deadly fungal infection. There are a few species which need to be pot bound because they specialize in growing in the tight spaces of rock cracks in nature, but most varieties are better off without compressed root systems.

Growing Cacti - Turbinicarpus

2006-05-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

This genus of small globular cacti grows in Mexico. They're flowers come in colors from white through pinks, magentas, purples and yellow. They need a window location with some direct sun and it's important to give them less water through the cool season when they are resting. In the winter months they may need different timings of watering depending on how much sun they receive in their window location. In a south window it is best to let them completely dry for at least two weeks at a time in between waterings, and keep the soil very dry for a month at a time if they are in an east or west window. When spring returns and the plants begin to grow they will need more frequent waterings, and alternating wet and dry periods through the growing seasons will help them maintain symmetrical growth. Turbinicarpus will do very well as four seasons house plants as long as care and attention is taken in their watering cycles. Keeping these plants constantly in wet soil will cause them to elongate and become vulnerable to fungal attacks. On the other extreme, if they are kept dry for too long, they may transpire so much moisture that they'll die of dehydration. Alternating between wet and dry periods through all seasons will be the best strategy for keep these miniature beauties healthy.

Growing cacti - Parodia.

2006-05-10T23:28:00.000-07:00

This genus of mostly globular cacti are very common in propagation, and in habitat they range through Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. They are more difficult than most varieties to keep in a natural growth pattern, but they are good survivors. Their flower colors are mostly yellow colors, but some range from lit pink through deep reds and magentas as well as oranges, whites and green. Many varieties are easy to find in greenhouses and make good house plants if they have plenty of sun. It is helpful to keep them dry in the cool winter season with only very small amounts of water. Be sure to give them lots of water when they are making flowers and growing. Too much water in the winter or too little sun in the growing seasons may cause them to have distorted growth.

Growing Succulents - Haworthia

2006-05-10T23:27:00.000-07:00

This genus of small succulent plants grows in South Africa and Namibia. Some of them are solitary, but many varieties may grow a few inches high and then form a small cluster of offshoots surrounding the central mother plant. When they bloom about once a year a stalk will rise from the base of the plant with tiny white or greenish white flowers. Some people prefer to cut off the flower stalks when they emerge in favor of showing off the leaves rather than the unimpressive flowers. They can do well in a window location with only small amounts of direct sun, but can live quite will on plenty of indirect light and tolerate cool winter temperatures. This group of succulent plants are fairly easy to care for and grow in a four seasons climate home, and hardly ever outgrow their flower pots. They grow mostly during the cool winter months and need plenty of water, but it's best to avoid soaking them. An easy and effective watering strategy is to give them small amounts of water on a weekly basis. They are some of the most forgiving succulents to grow because they tolerates both over and under watering mistakes.

Growing Cacti - Shrinkage.

2006-05-10T07:46:00.001-07:00

These Gymnocalycium plants are in different stages of progress between winter rest and going into their spring growth cycles. Many species of cacti noticeably shrink when they are in a state of dormancy and this is part of their ways of surviving through the coolest winter months. This winter dormancy is similar to that of deciduous trees losing their leaves for the winter, but with cacti they have shrinkage both above and below ground. This period lasts for about 4 months in nature and can even be as long as 6 months when cacti are kept as house plants. If the cacti in this photo are watered the one on the right will remain shrunken because it is still resting while the other two plants will benefit from and need water.

These cacti began to lose water in the fall, and it is normal for them to shrink and look smaller over the winter months. The squat appearance of the one on the right might remain the same even if it were given water, because it is still in a state of rest. The cactus on the upper left has entered its spring and summer growth cycle, and the plant just below it is only beginning to come out of its winter rest period. The two plants on the left need to be given plenty of water because they are in growth cycles, but the one on the right needs to have its soil kept mostly dry.

Watering can be a serious issue for these plants when they are in a shrunken condition, because their actual need for water depends on the specific season. In the summer months shrunken cactus plants may be suffering from dehydration, and actually need water to keep them healthy. However, in the winter months it is important to avoid assuming that a shrunken looking cactus needs water, because wet soil may do more harm than good. There are some varieties of cacti which will be at risk for rotting to death even if they are watered one time in their state of winter rest, like Copiapoa, Epithelantha, Eriosyce, Escobaria and Neoporteria species. In this situation a cactus may take one to two months before it finally dies, but the genesis of its demise will be from wet roots and fungus. Cactus plants can be at risk for fungal attack if their soil is wet when they are resting, and for most globular species it is best to keep them cool and on the dry side until spring.

With shrinkage it is important to understand whether cactus plants are in need of water or dryness, and basically spring and summer means water is needed and winter requires dryness. Cactus plants are much like deciduous trees in that they have a winter rest period where they need dry down time to get ready for their next growth cycle. In the spring cactus plants will start making new spines at the top of their stems and this marks the time when they are ready to be given plenty of water.

Growing Succulents - Euphorbia.

2006-05-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

A few species come from the Americas, but many more come from Africa and Madagascar, and also some originate from India, the Canary Islands, the islands of Socotra and Sicily.

There are a few drawbacks and limitations as house plants that must be understood before attempting to grow Euphorbia in your home.

If a Euphorbia is damaged, the plant bleeds a white latex sap that is toxic and can, in some cases, cause blistering on the skin. It is important to handle any Euphorbia sap with care and perhaps waterproof gloves are recommendable. Whatever happens, never get any Euphorbia sap in the eyes, and remove from skin as soon as possible. These plants are best located out of reach of small children and pets. This is a group of plants that cats and dogs should never mistake for chew toys and surely some house pets end up in the emergency room every year from eating Euphorbia. Please only purchase and grow Euphorbia species if you have the ability to keep them out of reach from small children and pets.

Euphorbia sometimes have thorns, but some species of Euphorbia are basically smooth plants without any thorny projection. Euphorbia is the largest genus of succulents and these varieties grow in a very wide range of conditions. It is difficult to set a general care plan for all Euphorbia varieties, but the following may apply to most varieties which are available as house plants from cultivators.

As house plants they tend to grow in fair weather and rest when temperatures are too hot or too cool. It is very important to keep them dry when they are resting. As a general rule for this group the fatter and rounder the stems are, the less water they will tolerate when they are resting. If they are over stressed with water, they will be very vulnerable to fungal infestations which almost always cause death for these plants. It's very important to keep them mostly dry in the hot days of summer and the long cool resting period of winter.

Astrophytum

2006-05-09T01:21:00.001-07:00

This genus of globular cacti grows in the south western United States and mostly in Mexico. Even thought they are globular a few varieties will grow into a column form several feet high when they are very old. Some varieties are spineless and they often have attractive felt where the spines would be and white speckled patterns on their skin called flocking. Flocking are little white velvety flecks and come in so many patterns that each individual plant will be very unique. Their bright yellow flowers are fairly large, and sometimes the yellow will come with a bright orange or red center. They need a window location with some direct sun and itХs important to withhold water through the cool season when they are resting.

Ancistrocactus

2006-05-09T01:21:00.000-07:00

This genus of globular cacti grows some in Texas and mostly in Mexico. They are often known for their hooked central spines and have flowers with colors that range through yellow, green, rusty brown and maroon brown. Their flowers appear very early in the spring even before the last frost and they are slow growing singular plants which are ideal for a small sunny indoor space. They need a window location with direct sun and will be more likely to flower if the winter temperatures are low. They are very susceptible to rot, and it's important to withhold water through the cool season when they are resting.

Fertilizing the Cactus.

2006-05-08T04:46:00.000-07:00

All mature actively growing cacti need to be fed occasionally. It is best to use a formula specifically designed for cactus like 7-40-6. (Nitrogen, phosphorus, potash) Use a mixture with a low ratio of nitrogen, as cacti can be burned by it. A commercial formula such as miracle grow or rapid grow can be used, but should be diluted to half strength. I have heard that "cactus juice" brand by Sudbury (1-7-6), is highly recommended. Regular Bone Meal, available at most Garden Centers, makes an excellent organic fertilizer. Don't forget the macro-nutrients like Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca), Sulfur (S), and Magnesium (Mg). Also important are the micro-nutrients Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Manganese (Mn).

San Pedro especially, does very well indoors behind glass. A location where the plant gets at least 4 hours a day of bright, direct sunlight is ideal. The best possible situation would be a South facing sliding glass door, and a reflective screen placed behind the Cactus to redirect and concentrate the light.

Many Cacti have beautiful and fragrant flowers, but they can be quite hard to get to bloom. The optimal conditions to induce flowering are, a cooler temperature (especially at night), reduced day length (12 hours or less), and variations in nutrients (lower nitrogen levels). Try putting your Cactus in a dark, unheated garage (not below freezing) for a few weeks. Forcing can also be done inside, but you need a place next to lots of glass that stays cooler than the rest of the house.

Unknown Rot on Lophocereus.

2006-05-05T23:01:00.000-07:00

Problem- Concentric brown rings appear on the trunks of lophocereus in the winter time. Lesion continues to expand until the whole trunk is cut off from root supply. Cause is unknown.

Solution - Cut off contaminated branches. Use very clean knife and good hygiene.

Scale on Myrtillocactus.

2006-05-05T23:00:00.001-07:00

Problem- Scale appears and begins to grow up the sides of your plant.

Solution - Scale is easy to control with just a garden hose. Not a bad problem.

Mealy Bugs in Dasylirion.

2006-05-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

Problem- Ants and mealy bugs can build up a. This is usually caused by the ants exploiting the plant

Solution - Wash and hose off all plant surfaces with water. Repeated washing are needed. Recovery is good. Ant control is in order.

Mealy Bugs in Aloe.

2006-05-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

Problem- Ants and mealy bugs can build up a. This is usually caused by the ants exploiting the plant

Solution - Wash and hose off all plant surfaces with water. Repeated washing are needed. Recovery is good. Ant control is in order.

Cochineal Scale on Opuntia.

2006-05-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

Pests and Diseases on Succulents :

Here we have taken the trouble to display for you many of the pests and diseases that can attack your plants from time to time, Most problems can be avoided by providing your plants with good nutrition and favorable growing conditions. Ants are one of the biggest problems, as they control many of the other pests. Once you control the ants many of the other problems just go away.

Cochineal Scale on Opuntia

problem - Cottony white masses develop on the areoles of opuntia. When squished they exude a red a red blood colored juice. This is a very common pest on opuntias and is very easy to identify from its red colored exudates . They will scar and damage plant if gone unchecked. Red exudate has been used by artists as unique pigment.

Solution - Commercial sprays work but natural controls work just as well. Here's what to do. Cut off a few of the most infected pads to open up your plant for hosing. This is usually not a problem as opuntias generally make many pads. Then use a forceful spray from a garden hose to spray off the rest. Repeat hosing every two weeks until under control. Then just spray as needed. Opuntias are predisposed to this kind of problem. Recovery is very good.

Aloe Rust.

2006-05-04T02:02:00.001-07:00

Problem- Black spots appear under the skin of aloe in winter time This problem only seems to happen on certain aloes in the winter.

Solution - Grow species that are resistant to this problem

Aloe Cancer

2006-05-04T02:02:00.000-07:00

Aloe Cancer

problem - A strange proliferation of leaves and shoots emerges from between leaves. If left unattended it can grow and overcome apical dominance and ruin your plant. Most likely caused by a virus being vectored in via some small chewing pest like a mite or thrip.

Solution - If your plant is rare or much loved then just trim away infected areas with sharp knife otherwise just throw away. Recovery is good.

Growing Lobivia cactus.

2006-05-03T01:53:00.001-07:00

Lobivia cacti are native to the Andes, Argentina and Bolivia in fact the name is an anagram of Bolivia which is where most of them are found. Here it grows at high altitude where the nights are cool or cold and the daytime temperatures are moderate.

They tend to be fairly short growing plants with spherical or cylindrical stems which are occasionally branched. They are upright growing plants but rarely get more than 6 inches high.

All of the Lobivia cactus have medium sized flowers which are generally yellow or red but they can be shy to flower as they require distinct resting periods to do well.Growing Requirements

Temperature

Most of the Lobivia cactus are pretty hardy plants and many can be grown as alpines in a frost free greenhouse, this is because during the winter they receive little water and temperatures can drop to below freezing but as the roots are dry then they cope very well.

In cultivation the daytime temperature should be kept below 20C and allowed to fall to 2C - 3C during the night. The best way to keep them is to grow them outside from May through September and place them in a sheltered spot where they do not get strong direct sunlight. From September through May they should be moved to a fully ventilated frost free alpine house or a cool east or west facing windowsill.

Pot Type

Lobivia cactus are best grown in a terracotta type pot which should have at least one drainage hole in the base and it should be unglazed. This type of pot allows good drainage and allows the compost (therefor roots) to breath.

Compost

Lobivia prefer an open and very free draining compost which should consist of:

1 part John Innes no. 1 compost
1 part peat or coir based compost
1 part sharp sand or grit
1 part broken crock pieces (small)

Watering

The plants should be kept almost completely dry during the winter months, only water them to prevent the roots from completely drying out, once a month should be fine. From March onwards the plant will begin to grow and watering should be increased gradually until late May when the plant should be in full growth. As the compost is very free draining and the pot used is porous you can safely water this type of cactus at least once a week during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water. During hot weather you may need to water the plants once a day so long as the plant is actively growing. From late September watering should be reduced to force the plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by November you should be back in to the winter watering regime.

Lighting

Grow Lobivia cacti in semi shade during the summer allowing only early morning sun and late afternoon sun to fall directly on the plant and prevent strong midday sun from scorching the plant. During the winter you can allow more direct light on to the plant as is is much weaker than the summer sun, keep in a west or east facing window or a south facing one if you have net curtains to protect from the harsh sun.

Feeding

If the compost is fresh then feeding may not be necessary at all, if the plant hasn't been repotted recently then half strength general purpose fertilizer can be used at watering time from May onwards once a month. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.

Repotting

Repotting should be done every other year or every three years, annual potting is not necessary. Remove the plant from its put by wrapping newspaper around the stem if it is very spiny. Carefully tap it out of the pot and remove the old compost to examine the roots, if any are damaged or showing signs of rotting they should be removed as close to the plant as possible.Re plant the cactus using the same mix of compost as it was originally in (fresh) and use a pot just slightly wider then the width of the cactus. Do not be tempted to over pot as this will cause the unused compost to go stagnant and you may loose the plant.

Growing rebutia cactus.

2006-05-03T01:53:00.000-07:00

Rebutia cacti are native to Bolivia and Argentina where they grow mostly at altitudes of around 12,000 feet.

Rebutia are easy plants to grow and will reward you with brightly coloured flowers which are produced in shades of red, yellow and orange.

They usually flower in the spring following a winter rest. They are all small growing cacti and are ideal candidates for bowl gardens where a small scape can be created with great effect.

Growing Requirements

Temperature

Most of the Rebutia cactus are intollerant to the cold and need a minimum winter temperature of 10C combined with a winter rest period.

In cultivation the daytime temperature should be kept at 20C to 30C during the summer months. The best way to grow them is on sunny windowsil or from June through September place them in a sheltered spot outside where they get strong sunlight. From September through June they should be moved to a fully ventilated sunny windowsill.

Pot Type

Rebuia cactus are best grown in a terracotta type pot which should have at least one drainage hole in the base and it should be unglazed. This type of pot allows good drainage and allows the compost (therefor roots) to breath.

Compost

Rebutia prefer an open and very free draining compost which should consist of:

1 part John Innes no. 3 compost
1 part peat or coir based compost
1 part sharp sand or grit
1 part broken crock pieces (small)

Watering

Compost

As the compost is very free draining and the pot used is porous you can safely water this type of cactus at least once a week during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water.

During hot weather you may need to water the plants once a day so long as the plant is actively growing.

Lighting

Grow most species of Rebutia cacti in full sun during the summer and winter avoiding only the harshest summer sun, if kept too dark they may become overly lush and could be prone to rotting due to over watering, they will also be shy to produce flowers.

Feeding

Repotting

Re plant the cactus using the same mix of compost as it was originally in (fresh) and use a pot just slightly wider then the width of the cactus. Do not be tempted to over pot as this will cause the unused compost to go stagnant and you may loose the plant.

Aeonium Succulents

2006-05-02T23:36:00.000-07:00

Aeonium succulents are native to the Canary Islands, North Africa and Madeira. They tend to form rosettes of leaves at the end of the leafless stem which takes on the appearance of a branch. Flowers are usually in the form of pendant racemes and are typically yellows.

Growing Requirements

Temperature

In cultivation the daytime summer temperature should be kept between 20C - 30C and can be allowed to fall to 12C - 15C at night and 12C - 18C during the winter day and not less then 5C during the winter night.

The best way to keep during the summer is to grow them outside from May through September and place them in a sunny spot where they get maximum sunlight. From September through May they should be moved to a south facing window.

Pot Type

Aeoniums are best grown in a terracotta type pot which should have at least one drainage hole in the base and it should be unglazed. This type of pot allows good drainage and allows the compost (therefor roots) to breath.

Compost

Aeonium prefer an rich and very free draining compost which should consist of:

1 part John Innes no. 1 compost
2 part peat or coir based compost
1 part sharp sand or grit
1/4 part broken crock pieces (small)

Watering

The plants should be kept almost completely dry during the winter months, only water them to prevent the roots from completely drying out, once a month should be fine.

During hot weather you may need to water the plants once a day so long as the plant is actively growing. From late September watering should be reduced to force the plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by November you should be back in to the winter watering regime.

Lighting

Grow aeoniums in bright sun during the summer and winter to avoid lush weak growth, strong sunlight will encourage the full colours of the leaves to develop.

Feeding

Repotting

Repotting should be done every other year or every three years, annual potting is not necessary. Remove the plant from its pot by cradling the stem if it is very tall. Carefully tap it out of the pot and remove the old compost to examine the roots, if any are damaged or showing signs of rotting they should be removed as close to the plant as possible.Re plant it using the same mix of compost as it was originally in (fresh) and use a pot just slightly wider then the width of the plant. Do not be tempted to over pot as this will cause the unused compost to go stagnant and you may lose the plant.

Diseases and parasites of cactus.

2006-05-01T09:19:00.001-07:00

Usually Cacti are very disease free, but occasionally. Especially if the plant is over watered, any part may be susceptible to molds or rot. If the roots are infected, then most probably the core is also and the plant is lost. If an above ground part of your plant is affected, the area should be cut out with a sharp knife to remove any infected matter. The cut parts should then be dusted with sulfur or a fungicide.

If any of the roots are affected then the plant should be un-potted and thoroughly cleaned. Of course all rotted or dead parts are removed and burned. The plant should then be repotted in pure sand and kept dry at a temperature between 64 - 70 degrees F. Cactus are tough and are designed to withstand long periods of drought, they should start growing again when healed and watered.

Usually the only pests that may plague your Cactus collection are scale insects belonging to the superfamily Coccoidea, mealy bugs, and nematodes. Of interesting note, one species of scale is intentually grown on Opuntia Cactus so that their eggs can be harvested and made into a red dye.

An environmentally friendly method of controlling scale is to spray the plants with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and nicotine. Make sure to coat the entire surface of the plant. If nematodes are present, the plant must be un-potted and the roots cut off. It is then repotted in a sterile soil mix till rerooted. The infected soil should then be sterilized or discarded, and all infected matter should be burned.

Grafting techniques in growing cacti.

2006-05-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

Cacti are almost unique in the fact that they can be easily grafted. This is the process of joining the stem or a piece of a plant on to the rooted section of a different plant. Trichocereus make an excellent grafting stock for slower growing cactus. Grafting is best performed in the springtime, when the plant is growing at its most vigorous. The process is as follows:

With a sterile knife, (either by alcohol or flame) cut the top off of the plant that will be used as the base. Bevel the edge of the top slightly, to form a shape like an upside down pie plate. Make sure to trim off all of the spines along its edge to prevent misalignment. Sterilize your knife and cut a thin slice off of the top of your base Cactus again. Leave this slice in place as it protects the cut surface. Next, un-pot the plant that is going to be on top and slice off its roots a small way up the stem (remove any dead, dry areas). Again sterilize, and bevel, and cut a protective slice just like before.

Just before you join the two pieces (the scion and stalk), discard the protective slices. Be careful to align both plants sets of growth rings. You should push them together firmly because you want to be sure that all air bubbles are squeezed out. Carefully secure the plants in place using twist ties, rubber bands, or string weighted down with bolts. Do not over tighten, you don't want to strangle it, just hold it firmly together.

Do not water your plant or place it in the Sun for a few days to a week, give the graft time to seal. Then remove the bindings and slowly acclimatize your new friend to its surroundings.

Peyote has been known to increase its growth rate markedly if they are grafted on to the tips of faster growing Cacti like Opuntia. That leads me to an interesting question. Has anyone ever grafted several Peyote buds on the tips of a large, multi-branched San Pedro? It would probably look something akin to a scraggly X-mas tree, with a general conical shape, but a dozen or so thick arms, each tipped with a large cluster of bulging buttons. Hmm, gets one to thinking.

Growing cactus indoors, under lights.

2006-05-01T09:18:00.001-07:00

It is recommended that a minimal level of illumination to grow Cactus indoors is around 15 watts per square foot (150 watts/ sq. meter). Fluorescent lighting should be placed 12 - 15 inches (28 - 35 cm) from the top of the plants. High Intensity Discharge Bulbs should be placed considerably further away (depending on wattage). Plants do much better if the day length is kept more or less constant, depending of course on the season. Be sure and use a timer set to 12 - 18 hours a day. Most plants grow best if the light, dark period matches that of their native habitats. When using artificial lights, be sure and use reflectors to catch and concentrate as much light as you can on the individual plants. For maximum growth, your plants should be rotated about every two weeks to assure even illumination.

Cactus, like most plants are more sensitive to certain frequencies (colors) of light. This is usually towards the blue and red parts of the spectrum. For best results use a grow light type of tube for fluorescent lights, or for killer results, step up to a metal halide. These kind of lights produce more light in the colors that the plant can use.

Metal Halide fixtures also produce a great deal of heat and some UV radiation, your Cactus will love it. These fixtures have proven to work well in an indoor environment as they have been used by "closet" growers successfully for years.

Growing cacti from cuttings.

2006-05-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

Note: When harvesting a large Cactus, make sure that it is at least 18 inches (46 cm) long. Cut the Cactus into 3 equal size sections with a sterilized blade. Do this by making one slice 1/3 of the way from the growing tip, and another slice 1/3 of the way from the base of the plant. (Soil level) Leave the bottom, rooted section to regrow, use the middle section for your purposes, and use the top piece to root as a cutting.

When rooting a Trichocereus species, take a cutting that is at least 15 cm (6 inch) in length. I have heard that cuttings as small as 2 cm (1 inch) thick can be rooted, but I advise a larger section. Be sure and take the cutting from a growing tip. Cut several shallow nicks in the ribs close to the bottom of the cutting. Set it in a cool dark place until the bottom becomes dry and hard to the touch (somewhat like cork).

The section is now ready for planting after being dipped in a rooting hormone like Root Tone (use per instructions). The section should be inserted about 7 cm (3 inch) into a commercial cactus mix. Be careful as the pot will probably be top heavy. Keep the cutting in the shade and let the soil dry out completely between waterings (watch for rot). Cuttings might need an occasional misting at their bases if they fail to root or shrivel.

Some cluster forming Cacti, such as Mammillaria can be easily separated from the mother plant after they start forming separate roots. Just carefully break them off of the parent plant with a gentle, twisting motion ( a sterilized knife may be needed for those stubborn plants ). Plant the young starts as you would any other cutting, just remember to slightly bury the plants and cover all roots.

Growing lithops.

2006-04-26T23:19:00.000-07:00

Lithops are some of the most sought after succulent plants and with good reason. These remarkable little plants are native to quite a small area in South African - Namaqualand. Here they grow in very dry desert areas with the stems burried in the stony dry earth and only the tips of the stems being visible.
Most of them have intricately patterned tips to the leaves which make them look like stones - hence the common name of living stones. There is another good reason for growing lithops, they have large daisy like flowers apearing from between the two leaf tips.

Temperature
The habitat where Lithops come from is very dry and hot so it's this needs to be reproduced if you want to sucessfully grow lithops. Keep at a temperature of 25C - 35C during the summer and not less than 10C during the winter, you can keep them cooler so long as they have plenty of light and the compost is kept dry but they will not withstand frost.

Pot Type
Lithops are best grown in a terracotta type bowl or pots and look great if grown in clumps surrounded by real stones and pebbles.
The pot should have at least one drainage hole in the base and it should be unglazed.

Compost
Lithops prefer an open and free draining but rich compost which should consist of:
1 part John Innes no. 2 compost
1 part peat or coir based compost
1 part sharp sand or grit

Watering
The plants should be kept almost completely dry during the winter months, only water them to prevent the roots from completely drying out, once a month should be fine. From March onwards the plant will begin to grow and watering should be increased gradually until late May when the plant should be in full growth. As the compost is very free draining and the pot used is porous you can safely water this type of cactus at least once a week during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water.
During hot weather you may need to water the plants once a day so long as the plant is actively growing.
From late September watering should be reduced to force the plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by November you should be back in to the winter watering regime.

Lighting
Grow most species of Lithops in full sun during the summer and winter avoiding only the harshest summer sun, if kept too dark they may become overly lush and could be prone to rotting due to over watering, they will also be shy to produce flowers.

Feeding
If the compost is fresh then feeding may not be necessary at all, if the plant hasn't been repotted recently then half strength general purpose fertilizer can be used at watering time from May onwards once a month. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker colm months.

Repotting
Repotting should be done every other year or every three years, annual potting is not necessary. Remove the plant from its put by wrapping newspaper around the stem if it is very spiny. Carefully tap it out of the pot and remove the old compost to examine the roots, if any are damaged or showing signs of rotting they should be removed as close to the plant as possible.Re plant the cactus using the same mix of compost as it was originally in (fresh) and use a pot just slightly wider then the width of the cactus. Do not be tempted to over pot as this will cause the unused compost to go stagnant and you may loose the plant.
1 part broken crock pieces (small)

Cactus, Cacti, Desert cactus, Grow, Lithops

Agave Succulents.

2006-04-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

Agave succulents are native America and are tough plants. They form rosettes of elongated leaves which may or may not have serrated margins but are usually tipped with a spine spine. Many of the leaves are an attractive blue/green colour and some are marginated with cream, white or yellow.

Growing Requirements

Temperature

The best way to keep during the summer is to grow them outside from May through September and place them in a sunny spot

where they get maximum sunlight. From September through May they should be moved to a south facing window.

Pot Type

Agave plants are best grown in a terracotta type pot which should have at least one drainage hole in the base and it should be unglazed. This type of pot allows good drainage and allows the compost (therefor roots) to breath. Compost

Agave prefer an rich and very free draining compost which should consist of:

1 part John Innes no. 1 compost
2 part peat or coir based compost
1 part sharp sand or grit
1/4 part broken crock pieces (small)

Watering

The plants should be kept almost dry during the winter months, only water them to prevent the roots from completely drying out, once a month should be fine.

From March onwards the plant will begin to grow and watering should be increased gradually until late May when the plant should be in full growth. As the compost is very free draining and the pot used is porous you can safely water this type of cactus at least once a week during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water.

Lighting

Grow agave in bright sun during the summer and winter to avoid lush weak growth, strong sunlight will encourage the full colours of the leaves to develop.

Feeding

Agave like plenty of food so half strength general purpose fertilizer should be used at watering time from May onwards twice a month. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.

Repotting

Repotting should be done every other year or every three years, annual potting is not necessary. Remove the plant from its pot by wrapping the rosette in newspaper and tying it to prevent yourself from being stabbed. Carefully tap it out of the pot and remove the old compost to examine the roots, if any are damaged or showing signs of rotting they should be removed as close to the plant as possible.Re plant it using the same mix of compost as it was originally in (fresh) and use a pot just slightly wider then the width of the plant. Do not be tempted to over pot as this will cause the unused compost to go stagnant and you may lose the plant.

Cactus, Cacti, Desert cactus, Grow

Notocactus cacti

2006-04-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

Notocactus cacti are native to the Brazil and Uruguay where the land is quite dry and the daytime temperatures can get high.
They tend to be fairly short growing plants with cylindrical and spherical stems which are rarely branched.
They are upright growing plants but may occasionally grow sideways with the top half looking as though it is wilting, this is less common that the upright growth and usually only occurs in old plants.
Cristate (wavy edged) forms are avalible in some species but these are usually grafted plants.

All of the Notocactus cactus are slow growing plants and make excellent house plants which in time will produce very large colourful flowers..

Growing Requirements

Temperature
The habitat where Notocactus come from can become very cold during the winter nights, often it will fall to just above freezing without harming the plants as it is also very dry. When growing at home it is best to avoid any frost as you may loose the plant but during the winter the temperature can be as low as 2C without any harm so long as the compost is very dry.
During the summer it is best to keep the plants outside where the temperature can rise to over 30C with no harm to the plant.
If kept in a greenhouse you will need to watch the temperature as under glass it can rise dramatically particularly if the windows and vents remain closed.

Pot Type
Notocactus cactus are best grown in a terracotta type pot which should have at least one drainage hole in the base and it should be unglazed. This type of pot allows good drainage and allows the compost (therefor roots) to breath.

Compost
Prefers an open and free draining compost which should consist of:
1 part John Innes no. 1 compost
1 part peat or coir based compost
1 part sharp sand or grit
1/2 part broken crock pieces (small)

Watering
The plants should be kept almost completely dry during the winter months, only water them to prevent the roots from completely drying out, once a month should be fine. From March onwards the plant will begin to grow and watering should be increased gradually until late May when the plant should be in full growth.

As the compost is very free draining and the pot used is porous you can safely water this type of cactus at least once a week during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water. During hot weather you may need to water the plants once a day so long as the plant is actively growing. From late September watering should be reduced to force the plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by November you should be back in to the winter watering regime.

Lighting
Grow most species of Notocactus cacti in full sun during the summer and winter avoiding only the harshest summer sun, if kept too dark they may become overly lush and could be prone to rotting due to over watering, they will also be shy to produce flowers.

Feeding
If the compost is fresh then feeding may not be necessary at all, if the plant hasn't been repotted recently then half strength general purpose fertilizer can be used at watering time from May onwards once a month. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker colm months.

Repotting
Repotting should be done every other year or every three years, annual potting is not necessary. Remove the plant from its put by wrapping newspaper around the stem if it is very spiny. Carefully tap it out of the pot and remove the old compost to examine the roots, if any are damaged or showing signs of rotting they should be removed as close to the plant as possible.
Re plant the cactus using the same mix of compost as it was originally in (fresh) and use a pot just slightly wider then the width of the cactus. Do not be tempted to over pot as this will cause the unused compost to go stagnant and you may loose the plant.

Cactus, Cacti, Desert, Notocactus

Opuntia cacti

2006-04-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

Opuntia cacti are native to almost the entire United States where the enironment is very changeable from desert to quite rich moist soil.
They are one of the largest genus and contain an incredible range of plants from small through true giants. One common factor with the oputia cactus is that they have 'pads' which are joined together giving them the common name of bunnies ears.
Many produce edible juicy fruits too and some are commercially available as Prickly Pears, such a plant is Opuntia ficus indica - easily to grow, flower and fruit!
The vast majority of the Opuntia cactus are easy to grow growing plants and make excellent house plants which will produce large colourful flowers in brick red, yellow and orange.

Temperature
The habitat where Opuntia come from can be very dry and hot or quite rich humid so it's difficult to suggest a single growing temperature but typically they should be kept above 5C during the winter and around 30C during the summer. Some such as Opuntia chlorotica, Opuntia compressa, Opuntia phaeacantha & Opuntia vestita are hardy in the UK if planted in a well drained and sheltered position.

Pot Type
Opuntia cactus are best grown in a terracotta type pot which has a heavy base as the plants can grow very tall. It should have at least one drainage hole in the base and it should be unglazed. This type of pot allows good drainage and allows the compost (therefor roots) to breath.

Compost
Opuntia prefer an open and free draining but rich compost which should consist of:
1 part John Innes no. 2 compost
1 part peat or coir based compost
1/4 part sharp sand or grit
1/4 part broken crock pieces (small)

Watering
The plants should be kept almost completely dry during the winter months, only water them to prevent the roots from completely drying out, once a month should be fine. From March onwards the plant will begin to grow and watering should be increased gradually until late May when the plant should be in full growth.
As the compost is very free draining and the pot used is porous you can safely water this type of cactus at least once a week during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water.
During hot weather you may need to water the plants once a day so long as the plant is actively growing.
From late September watering should be reduced to force the plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by November you should be back in to the winter watering regime.

Lighting
Grow most species of Opuntia cacti in full sun during the summer and winter avoiding only the harshest summer sun, if kept too dark they may become overly lush and could be prone to rotting due to over watering, they will also be shy to produce flowers.

Feeding
If the compost is fresh then feeding may not be necessary at all, if the plant hasn't been repotted recently then half strength general purpose fertilizer can be used at watering time from May onwards once a month. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker colm months.

Repotting
Repotting should be done every other year or every three years, annual potting is not necessary. Remove the plant from its put by wrapping newspaper around the stem if it is very spiny. Carefully tap it out of the pot and remove the old compost to examine the roots, if any are damaged or showing signs of rotting they should be removed as close to the plant as possible.
Re plant the cactus using the same mix of compost as it was originally in (fresh) and use a pot just slightly wider then the width of the cactus. Do not be tempted to over pot as this will cause the unused compost to go stagnant and you may loose the plant.

Cactus, Cacti, Desert, Opuntia

Echinocereus Cacti.

2006-04-15T10:40:00.000-07:00

Echinocereus Cacti
Echinocereus cacti are native to the Western USA states and Mexico where the land is quite arid and the daytime temperatures are high.They tend to be fairly short growing plants with cylindrical stems which are occasionally branched. They are upright growing plants but may occasionally grow sideways with the top half looking as though it is wilting, this is less common that the upright growth.

All of the Echinocereus cactus have large and showy flowers which are usually purple through pale pink but one or two have crimson flowers and make an excellent addition to any collection.

Growing Requirements

Temperature

The desert in Mexico can become very cold during the winter nights, often it will fall below freezing without harming the plants as it is also very dry. When growing at home it is best to avoid any frost as you may lose the plant but during the winter the temperature can be as low as 2C without any harm so long as the compost is dry.

During the summer it is best to keep the plants outside where the temperature can rise to over 30C with no harm to the plant. If kept in a greenhouse you will need to watch the temperature as under glass it can rise dramatically particularly if the windows and vents remain closed.

Pot Type

Echinocerues cactus are best grown in a terracotta type pot which should have at least one drainage hole in the base and it should be unglazed. This type of pot allows good drainage and allows the compost (therefor roots) to breath. Compost

Echinocereus prefer an open and free draining compost which should consist of:

1 part John Innes no. 1 compost
1 part peat or coir based compost
1 part sharp sand or grit
1/2 part broken crock pieces (small)
Watering

The plants should be kept almost completely dry during the winter months, only water them to prevent the roots from completely drying out, once a month should be fine. From March onwards the plant will begin to grow and watering should be increased gradually until late May when the plant should be in full growth. As the compost is very free draining and the pot used is porous you can safely water this type of cactus at least once a week during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water. During hot weather you may need to water the plants once a day so long as the plant is actively growing. From late September watering should be reduced to force the plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by November you should be back in to the winter watering regime.

Lighting

Grow Echinocereus cacti in full sun during the summer and winter, if kept too dark they may become overly lush and could be prone to rotting due to over watering, they will also be shy to produce flowers.

Feeding

If the compost is fresh then feeding may not be necessary at all, if the plant hasn't been repotted recently then half strength general purpose fertilizer can be used at watering time from May onwards once a month. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.

Repotting

Repotting should be done every other year or every three years, annual potting is not necessary. Remove the plant from its put by wrapping newspaper around the stem if it is very spiny. Carefully tap it out of the pot and remove the old compost to examine the roots, if any are damaged or showing signs of rotting they should be removed as close to the plant as possible.Re plant the cactus using the same mix of compost as it was originally in (fresh) and use a pot just slightly wider then the width of the cactus. Do not be tempted to over pot as this will cause the unused compost to go stagnant and you may lose the plant.

Cactus, Cacti, Desert, Echinocereus

Growing cacti (cactus) from the seed.

2006-04-11T04:27:00.000-07:00

The key to growing cactus from seeds is that unlike other plants, cactus seeds need direct sunlight (or grow lights) to germinate, so you must place the seeds on top of the soil, not under the soil.

So my best advice is:

1 - Use Cactus Soil. This comes with the Odd Pods package and can be purchased separately if you have just purchases seeds.

2 - Sift the soil into a number of small ~ 2 inch planters, eliminating any clumps with your hand.

3 - Thoroughly moisten the soil - but make sure that there is no standing water.

4 - Evenly sprinkle 6 to 10 seeds on top of the Cactus Soil in each 2“ planter (don't cover with soil)

5 - Place the planters where they will receive maximum sunlight. You can also supplement this with a grow light or even florescent lights.

6 - Your seeds will sprout at different times but you should see seedlings within 5 to 7 days.

7- Once the seedlings appear, use a spray bottle to mist the seedlings to keep them from drying out.

8 - Remoisten the soil every 3 to 4 days for the first few weeks to prevent it from drying out.

9 - Once they get bigger water them every 3-4 weeks as necessary.

In the beginning you need to prevent the soil from completely drying out without over watering. It's a delicate balance for the first few weeks. After that most plants require watering once every 2-4 weeks (bigger plants once every 3 to 4 weeks). If mold starts to appear, reduce the moisture and water the plants with a mixture of one capful of hydrogen peroxide to 7 ounces of water. This will kill the mold but not the cactus.

The next bit of advice is to start out with about 1/3 of the packet the first time. This way, you can learn from your mistakes (if any) and try again once you’ve gotten the feel of things without ordering more seeds. I have one client who managed to grow ~ 70 cactus plants from one packet of seeds but she is an expert. Most people will be lucky to end up with 20 to 30 plants.

The most important advice is to just have fun with this!

Cactus, Cacti, Desert, How, Grow, Seed

Growing Desert Cactus

2006-04-06T01:15:00.000-07:00

There is a commonly held belief that cactus plants are tougher and more resistant to neglect than other types of plants. The reputation of cactus plants for toughness is most likely due to two factors: their spiny, well- protected exterior tends to give them the appearance of being able to look after themselves, and they are also slower than most plants to show symptoms of distress. While most plants will yellow, drop leaves and wither soon after experiencing stress, a cactus will often simply suffer in silence until it suddenly drops overbeyond hope of recovery.

The first step in ensuring success in growing a healthy cactus plant is to purchase one that is already in good health. Avoid any plant that has damaged spines, obvious signs of bruising, or that has lopsided or uneven growth. A plant that has put on new spindly growth during its time in the store should be avoided. Even under ideal growing conditions, the spindly growth produced in a dimly-lit store will never broaden out to normal size, leaving the plant with a permanent disfigurement. Ideally a cactus should be purchased in the greenhouse where it was grown, or as soon as possible after it has been shipped to a retail outlet.

The care required by a particular type of cactus is largely dictated by the climatic conditions where that cactus would be found growing in nature. A good rule of thumb for looking after any plant is to provide conditions as close as possible to those under which the plant would be found growing naturally. In general, the two most common classes of cactus are those of sun-loving and shade-loving.

Sun-loving Cacti

Sun-loving cactus plants are those that appear the way we normally expect a cactus to look. They are native to arid desert regions where they receive direct sunlight for a large portion of the day. In the home, these plants should be placed in a window with a south or west exposure where they will receive direct sunlight for at least a few hours each day.

The quantity and frequency of watering provides one of the biggest dilemmas to cactus owners; and since a cactus does not wilt at the first sign of drought stress, the plant itself offers few cues to a need for water. A good rule of thumb is to water when the top 2 to 3 centimetres of soil is dry.

This should be adjusted with season, however, as plants will require more water during the period of summertime growth than they will during the slowed, or halted growth of winter. In winter the plants may require water only once a month. During winter you should supply just enough moisture to prevent the roots from drying and dying. One of the most important considerations in watering a cactus is that the pots must never be permitted to stand in water. Waterlogged soil can quickly lead to rotting of the roots with disastrous consequences for the plant.

Desert Gardens kidney style dish planter

The growing medium also plays a role in watering and plant health. Contrary to popular belief, most cacti do not prefer to live in pure sand. In nature, they may be found growing in sand, but this is only because they are able to survive in conditions where the plants which compete with them for space cannot. Cacti are not found naturally on rich soils, simply because the other plants that can survive on these soils have crowded the cacti out. In the home, where competition from neighbouring plants has been eliminated, cactus plants will respond favourably to a rich soil that is free-draining. While cactus soil mixes are available, you can make your own by combining two parts peat-based potting soil with one part very coarse sand or grit. Fertilizer can be added to every second watering during the summer, with the frequency and concentration of fertilizer being reduced in winter. Either a specially formulated cactus fertilizer can be used, or fertilizer such as 15-15- 30 which includes minor or trace elements.

While most cacti tolerate a wide range of growing temperatures, most will do best at temperatures similar to that of most other house plants. When temperatures are either too hot or too cold, a cactus will often simply go dormant. An ideal placement for a cactus in winter would be a sunny cool room. During the summer, cacti will appreciate being moved outdoors where they can receive brighter light in combination with cooling breezes during the day and cool humid conditions during the night. If moving your cactus outside for the summer, be sure to place it in a position of partial shade for the first few weeks, and slowly move it to a sunnier location. A plant going directly outside into full sun will likely be scorched by the more intense light found outside the home.

Shade-loving Cacti (Cactus)

Shade-loving cacti are those members of the cactus family that would normally be found growing in moist tropical jungles. They frequently have a trailing growth habit and flattened stem segments like those seen on the familiar Christmas cactus. Since they are native to the same areas where many of our more familiar tropical plants originate, they tend to thrive under conditions similar to those for other house plants. They do not tolerate intense sun, but will thrive in an east window. They also grow quite well under artificial lights. Since flowering on many tropical cacti is begun in direct response to the length of day, plants grown under artificial light should have the daylength reduced in winter so that they are in darkness for more than 12 hours each day. Without these shortened days, such plants will not flower.

Like many jungle plants, these types of cacti do not have an annual period of dormancy and will require even moisture throughout the year. Since shade- loving cacti continue to grow throughout the year, they require a more regular supply of nutrients and will benefit from mild fertilizer at the time of watering. They can be fertilized at the same strength as sun-loving cacti, but on a more regular schedule. Like other cacti, they require a free-draining growing medium, and should never be permitted to stand in water.

Jungle cacti tend to be less tolerant of temperature extremes. If a tropical cactus is placed outdoors for the summer it should be placed in the shade of a tree where they will receive bright but filtered light.

Cactus, Cacti, Desert, How, Grow