Thanks Aloinopsis! I think I'll test some different substrate and watering strategies for the Hylocereus, and think about starting some Ferocactus seeds for future grafting projects. I'm also growing on the East Coast (Central NC) We don't get quite as much rain as you described, but it's very humid...

In my climate it rains all year so one thing that I think helps prevent splitting is growing these plants in 100% rocks (no soil at all). It can be challenging in its own way because Hylocereus wants organic material and lots more water, so you have to find a balance. That's a good tip - thanks! Mo...

Hello all! I have had two of my grafted asterias v-type scions (on hylocereus) split from too much water :oops: :( It happened a couple of months ago, and they seem fine, just not as beautiful and majestic as they could be. They are feeling nice and firm and no signs of rot or anything... My questio...

I used clay base cat litter for several years. I sifted the cat litter and mixed coarse material in potting-mix for cacti. Remained material also was shifted and removed fine parts and mixed it in seed rising mix. The volume of remained is quite large and I still use the material after removing fin...

Hello, Eventually I am planning on doing some degrafting of astrophytum per Hanazono's instructions/methods. I bought some clay cat litter to fill the graft cavity during rooting, but it turned out it was raw clay so I won't be using that. I found a local source of Turface (fired clay) and bought so...

Rooting medium: I use wet clay granules. I do not know the chemistry of the clay. I used shifted clay base cat litter. Since water will never reach into the hole by normal watering, I use wet clay granules. It is possible to use any permeable materials but you have to upside down scion for the sett...

Hi Hanazono,
What is the clay that you use to fill a cavity before rooting? I have been looking for some, but have never seen any 1mm size. Thank you!

It was a company I found online called EZ Frame up. We went with them because they had lots of size options and the joints came with cut lists for pretty much any size you wanted to do. It seemed like an easy option and I'm in grad school so I didn't have time to design something from scratch. I'm n...

Not sure if this is what you're looking for but I've heard it called 'thorn automimicry' or 'batesian mimicry' - a way for the plant to appear more thorny and hopefully avoid getting eaten. If this isn't it, good luck!

Hey! Anyone know when Mesa Garden will start selling plants again? I recently bought some seeds from them and have had excellent germination, but I'd love to buy a few plants from their list as well. Just wanted to see if anyone here is in the know...

Interesting - thanks, Spence. I'll look into that. Strange thing is I've never noticed anything like them on anything I've grown before.

Thanks Steve! I just repotted my first round of cacti from a pretty standard soil mix to mineral mix using your root cleaning suggestions. I'm really excited, and appreciate all of your advice!

Ok so I was able to take a OK-ish picture through the loupe. They're not awesome, but give you a general idea of the color, shape, and size of these insects.

Hey Everyone, I have a batch of seedlings - all various astrophytum and ariocarpus that are about 3 weeks old. They are growing inside under flourescent lights. I noticed today that one tray had a ton of little whitish mite-like insects crawling all over the top of the soil, the walls and the outsid...

Awesome info, thanks Steve! Last question, I promise
Do you do this every time you repot, or only when you bring in a new plant, or suspect a problem?

Thanks!