Search found 4815 matches

by greenknight
Wed Feb 07, 2024 2:38 am
Forum: General
Topic: Why can’t most cacti be Blue?
Replies: 4
Views: 2959

Re: Why can’t most cacti be Blue?

No cactus produces a blue pigment, Those that appear blue have a waxy "bloom" on their surface that scatters light, and short-wavelength blue light is scattered more than other colors. Gymnos don't produce a waxy coating.
by greenknight
Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:52 am
Forum: Succulent Identification
Topic: Aloe cameronii? Not sure
Replies: 2
Views: 2442

Re: Aloe cameronii? Not sure

Seems to be a fairly variable species. I'd say close enough.
by greenknight
Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:00 am
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Overwintering Suggestions for Cactus
Replies: 16
Views: 15586

Re: Overwintering Suggestions for Cactus

Even Vancouver Island is pretty frigid right now - but nothing like Calgary!
by greenknight
Mon Jan 08, 2024 1:37 pm
Forum: Cacti Identification
Topic: Mammillaria
Replies: 7
Views: 21556

Re: Mammillaria

No doubt. Kept in a very bright location, I take it, from the color and heavy wool production.
by greenknight
Tue Dec 19, 2023 2:12 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: can you tell me what these are?
Replies: 5
Views: 7081

Re: can you tell me what these are?

Yes, alcohol will kill them, as will soap sprays. The eggs will survive, though, and more will hatch out - you need to repeat the treatment weekly until you're sure they're gone. The advantage of systemic insecticides is they have residual action, they will continue to kill the new hatchlings for mo...
by greenknight
Thu Dec 14, 2023 5:18 am
Forum: Cuttings & Offsets
Topic: chamaecereus luisramirezii repot
Replies: 11
Views: 24568

Re: chamaecereus luisramirezii repot

If you can't keep it cold enough it may need a dribble of water once a month or so to keep the roots alive, but the ideal would be to keep it cold once it gets dry (they can even take some frost when dry) and give no water at all - that's the way to get the most abundant flowers.
by greenknight
Tue Dec 12, 2023 1:52 pm
Forum: Cuttings & Offsets
Topic: chamaecereus luisramirezii repot
Replies: 11
Views: 24568

Re: chamaecereus luisramirezii repot

It's growing when the light is not good enough, which is why it has those skinny tips. Also, it needs a winter rest if you want it to bloom. See: http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dictionary/Dictionary_W/dictionary_winter_rest.htm If you can't provide the cool temperatures recommended you should s...
by greenknight
Sun Dec 10, 2023 11:21 pm
Forum: Grown From Seed
Topic: Ilvin's Lithops Seedlings
Replies: 22
Views: 11017

Re: Ilvin's Lithops Seedlings

They look great! Nice assortment.
by greenknight
Sun Dec 10, 2023 11:13 pm
Forum: Cuttings & Offsets
Topic: chamaecereus luisramirezii repot
Replies: 11
Views: 24568

Re: chamaecereus luisramirezii repot

The cactus is big enough that it should fill that pot with roots before long. Be extra careful with watering for the first year or two - make sure it's really thirsty before you water it. I have been watering it every 20 days give or take a day. It has been sending out a lot of roots in search of s...
by greenknight
Thu Dec 07, 2023 6:31 pm
Forum: Cuttings & Offsets
Topic: chamaecereus luisramirezii repot
Replies: 11
Views: 24568

Re: chamaecereus luisramirezii repot

The cactus is big enough that it should fill that pot with roots before long. Be extra careful with watering for the first year or two - make sure it's really thirsty before you water it.
by greenknight
Tue Dec 05, 2023 7:17 pm
Forum: Cacti Identification
Topic: Opuntia azurea?
Replies: 1
Views: 4696

Re: Opuntia azurea?

The taxonomy of that species is controversial, and it's quite variable, but I think that's correct.
by greenknight
Sun Nov 26, 2023 8:02 am
Forum: Sick Cacti - Pests, Diseases, etc.
Topic: Seeking help from everyone, what kind of bacteria is this and how to deal with it?
Replies: 33
Views: 100674

Re: Seeking help from everyone, what kind of bacteria is this and how to deal with it?

You shouldn't heat the potting mix enough to completely sterilize it, more accurately you pasteurize it - hot enough to destroy fungal spores and weed seeds, no hotter than 140f - 180f is needed. Enough heat to sterilize the soil totally will not only eliminate beneficial microbes, it can produce to...
by greenknight
Thu Nov 23, 2023 7:50 am
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Watering at night or early morning -- does it matter?
Replies: 21
Views: 24324

Re: Watering at night or early morning -- does it matter?

Correct - except that young cactus seedlings don't use CAM photosynthesis. Not something you need to worry about, just keep them evenly moist all the time and they'll be happy. I usually water my adult cacti in late afternoon, because I'm not a morning person and there's no sense in standing out in ...
by greenknight
Sun Nov 12, 2023 9:18 am
Forum: Cultivation
Topic: Cacti flowering in fall
Replies: 6
Views: 8251

Re: Cacti flowering in fall

I've often had Echinopsis set flower buds that don't bloom that year - they may bloom the next year. or even after several years, but sometimes they never bloom.