T. pseudopectinatus and T. valdezianus are producing flower buds despite being very cold (nighttime temperatures as low as -6C/21F, daytime barely above freezing). It's always astonishing how adaptable these plants are. I am quite sure it doesn't get that cold in habitat (a quick search says around...

Pretty interesting.

56C is 133F. That is amazing. I've never seen temperatures that high, although closed cars can get very hot. Never measured the temperature in there.

Watering: I'll change what I've said based on Steve's reminder of your temps and what you just updated a few minutes ago. Go with what Steve said about the light watering after potting. New photos: Thanks. Much clearer to me at least. The hole is larger than a puncture from the spine of another plan...

Those last photos showing your washed cactus are so much clearer than your first ones-at least for me. Can you take a photo of the "damaged" area again? As far as your washing off the soil-you did a pretty good job, but not perfect. You are not a monster. Try using a spray to get into the ...

Wow Fred. That's pretty cold. My son is currently at Fort Leavenworth in Major's school. I'll have to ask him about his temps. We might be out there in March or April.

Don't worry about your plant being top heavy. Once you get the roots free and dried out as Steve said above, (and dried out can mean up to two-three weeks if needed.). Again, after the roots are dried out and you repot in a mineral based mix, the mix will hold your plant. From what I can see in the ...

The availability of the compounds in pumice or any substrate is key to them being nutrients or not. The plant roots will have to dissolve them to be counted as nutrients.

I am thinking the pile of bricks is a chimney for heat. It looks like there are big pots/Dutch Ovens of hot water for heat.

Those are aerial roots.

What growing conditions do you have? Only indoors? Only outdoors? Both? Full sun? Shade? Trees to grow on? etc etc.

I've been buying from Miles too. Like his plants. Good prices.

Same to you too Dave and all the rest of the Cactiphiles on here!

Turface can be used in Planted Aquariums. Should be OK for African Violets too.

https://abqbonsaiclub.com/bonsai-soil-article/ Just read this article tonight, and went over the whole thread again. Thanks for posting the Bonsai club potting soil experiment article Keith. Good information regarding Turface and how it holds so much water and decomposes fairly quickly. I bought tw...