Hi All. I was hoping to get some recommendations on a few Opuntia species specifically for the size, quality and taste of the fruit. Does anyone have any suggestions on a couple of species that produce a fair amount of large red fruit (tuna)? I am currently growing OPUNTIA FICUS INDICA for pads and ...

Actually, Myco are quite important to the ability of catci to assimilate phosphate from the soil. They, unlike many fungi, do not require constant moisture. We are studying the symbiotic relationship in various catci genera and species. Something to considering in our experiments in the lab. Some fu...

Hi Folks, Any idea how to induce some fairly large Opuntia ficus-indica specimens to flower? They are now actively putting out fresh new pads but no buds yet. Its my understanding ficus-indica is a prolific flowering Opuntia and fruit producer. Maybe patience uh. I live in San Diego about 10 miles f...

Thanks again folks. Any idea how to induce it to flower? Its my understanding ficus-indica is a prolific flower and fruit producer. Maybe patience uh. I live in San Diego about 10 miles from the coast so a mix of dry warm weather and occasional cool nights with fog.

I believe it was about $60 for both of the large specimens. When I lived in the northeast and collected cacti, I spent a fortune on little guys. Living in San Diego and near the desert, many nurseries producing lovely large specimens.

Thanks so much for all the precise information and I apologize for using the E???????? word in my post. I wasn't aware it was a no-no. Geeky scientist I am afraid but absolutely fascinating by the natural diversity of cacti and their adaptability.

Any help with this species I am rooting now would be much appreciated. It has fuzzy soft pads and pretty flowers.

Hi All. First, thank you all for such quick responses and such kind help in identifying various species of cacti I have growing now and will be adding to our collection. My research group studies the disallowed - see forum rules of plant chemo-adaptation; in other words, how plants disallowed - see ...

Is this cacti Cereus peruvianus or is it really as labeled (see one of the pictures) a Trichocereus? I am looking to grow Cereus peruvianus for its flowers and apple like fruits. Thanks again everyone! http://www.cactiguide.com/forum/userpix/4252_CereusPeruvianus1_1.jpg http://www.cactiguide.com/for...

I thought it might be. To be sure, shouldn't I cook some up and check?

Being a scientist deeply involved in studying the molecular development of plant biosynthetic pathways for natural products, I prefer experimentation.

Thanks for the quick reply!!! Deeply appreciated. It hasn't flowered though here in San Diego while my other Opuntia have. Any suggestions on how to entice flowering?