I have found that C. juttae both large and small grow leaves and then roots. The plants remain dormant and there is no sign of life. The plant starts to form leaves and roots grow until the end of warm weather. The large plant has many fruits and leaves. The leaves will start to fall off when the we...

I would buy a small dehumidifier for your greenhouse and also buy a humidity meter. I never grew desert plants in my greenhouse because I knew that 80-100 percent humidity would probably damage plants. The outdoor humidity can approach 80 percent sometimes but winter humidity is down around 20 perce...

I have been to several deserts in the Southwest United States and never saw cactus growing in pumice. I collected some soil and brought it home to plant some of my desert cactus. The soil contained very little organic matter, some sand, small rocks and very little clay. I know that pumice is good fo...

I bought a small greenhouse for tropical succulents. The problem with a greenhouse is very high humidity and would recommend using something to remove the excess humidity. I believe that many cactus can survive low temperatures but not with high humidity. I live in a semi arid environment and the da...

I have some plants that are growing underground but none of them are cactus or succulents. The problem with growing plants underground is over watering and most plants need sunlight to survive.

I have frequent dew on the plants and water them accordingly. I know that there are plants that live in areas where it does not rain but, are located in areas with heavy fog. I grow some Copipoa cactus and give them very little water and they still flower. They also grow very slowly and retain a com...

I agree that shipping costs of pumice can be very high. I live in Los Angeles and a large bag costs $9.00 and I could drive to the desert and fill up a truck for very little. I would contact a local nursery and also try buying some on eBay.

I have seen problems with some of my cactus and very hot weather can sunburn cactus as well as other succulents. I know that sunburn damage is permanent and this is why commercial growers use shade cloth to protect their plants.

I have never had etiolation problems with cactus growing in full sunlight but, I also do not like to over fertilize my cactus unless they were grown in a greenhouse. I live within a hundred miles of the desert and can see cactus growing in natural environment. I do not see any etiolation but I also...

I live the coast in Los Angeles and have many of your cactus growing outside in the ground or in pots without protection from the winter rain. I might protect some of the more sensitive plants from winter rain but that depends upon you. I know that there was three days of frost I think in 1990 that ...

I have been told that most Lithops should not be watered after flowering. The new leaves are forming within the old leaves and wait until the old leaves dry up. I know that it is difficult not to water for several months but I have destroyed many Lithops by over watering.

I also live near the coast in Los Angeles and have been growing cactus and succulents outside for many decades. I grow most of my plants in equal parts of peat, coarse sand and pumice and some plants are grown in pure pumice. The annual rainfall for Los Angeles is only 14 inches per year and most of...

I live in zone 10b and have been growing cactus and succulents outside for many decades. I have one cactus that I have grown outside for more than fifty years! I have orchids growing next to cactus and succulents and all of them flower. The temperature and humidity are mild and that is the main reas...

I have been growing E. polycephalus clusters for three years. The largest plant produced one large yellow flower. The two smaller plants produced new spines and no flowers. I grow them outside in clay pots and water them until the summer months but, I know they receive rain from thunderstorms in the...

I am looking at the Meadview, AZ weather forecast and it will probably rain next week. I see that some plants are still growing and will continue to water.