Growth Over Time - Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rubrispinus

[WayneByerly]

Hello one and all

I hope this posting finds you all in good health and good cheer...

I depend on the responses of other members here at the forum in order to determine whether or not I should continue these "Growth Over Time" series ... It was my initial thought that the other members here might like to see what kind of growth certain species of cacti would make over a five year period ... or whatever length of period that I was in possession of the cacti in question. So let me hear from you. Is this series a good idea? A USELESS derned idea? A terminally BORING idea? Am I clueless about what is going on here ? Give me you opinion, good or bad. I would appreciate any input at all. I know that some people are reticent to trash other people in public, but it wouldn't hurt my feelings ... not as long as I was getting honest opinions.

My earliest picture of my Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rubrispinus was taken in 2013. But I honestly cannot remember when I bought it.
2013

2013-07-29 001.jpg (92.91 KiB) Viewed 1764 times

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I thought it was SO cute with the small inwardly recurving spines with that ruby red tint that was almost pink.

2013-07-29.jpg (84.91 KiB) Viewed 1764 times

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2014
No pictures of this cactus for this year, but it did put on a very little bit of growth.
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2015
But between 2015 and Feb of 2018, it didn't show any signs of growth at all.

2015-12-27 081.jpg (107.69 KiB) Viewed 1764 times

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2016
See? Same size as last year... (forum software turning my pictures again. some it does, and some it doesn't, and I can't figure out why or do anything about it. Sorry.)

2016-10-06.jpg (58.53 KiB) Viewed 1764 times

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2017
... same size as the last two years ... (forum software turning my pictures again. some it does, and some it doesn't, and I can't figure out why or do anything about it. Sorry.)

2017-11-11 115140.jpg (101.66 KiB) Viewed 1764 times

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2018/Feb
... and one more year ... no bigger than the last three years ... why is that?

2018-02-08 DSCF3762.jpg (95 KiB) Viewed 1764 times

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2018/Jun
But between February and March, a little color began to show on the top ... that began to spread ... and now, four months after it started to show a little color on the top, it's put on a good half to two thirds of an inch of vertical growth. Why, all of a sudden has it put on so much growth? Could it be the high percentage inorganic mix that I've begun to use this year? Either that or the fertilizer ( ) ... or BOTH ... tell me and the other members here what YOU think ...

Anyway, it looks like this.

2018-06-14 DSCF4508.jpg (99.81 KiB) Viewed 1764 times

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... and from the top ...

2018-06-14 DSCF4509.jpg (86.09 KiB) Viewed 1764 times

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... and a closeup of the top...

2018-06-14 DSCF4510.jpg (127.43 KiB) Viewed 1764 times

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Thanks for looking at my post here, my friends ... I truly hope that someone found this even remotely interesting ... and I hope you are all safe, healthy, happy and that your weather is treating you and your cacti well.

[DesertSun]

I love this series of yours Wayne, I think it really is informative and useful to the members! Your cactus is looking great after the short period of slowing down. It is one that I have on my list currently, so beautiful, great color and shape! Thank you for sharing!

[ElieEstephane]

I've never had any luck findimg this species and yours looks pretty good! I actually prefer the nominal rather than the red spined var. I believe fertilizer did the trick. When in doubt, i fertilize. If no response, i check the roots
Thanks for sharing wayne!

[WayneByerly]

I love this series of yours... Thank you for sharing!

I am grateful that at least some of the members here think these expositions have some value. I place them here to be didactic... to show members what kinds of changes the showcased plant goes through over the stated time. And you are very welcome.

[WayneByerly]

I believe fertilizer did the trick.

Hello Elie
I quite agree... I think it is fertilizer that has done the trick for a great number of the spectacular changes that my c&s have gone through this season. But I also think that the high percentage inorganic soil mixture that I've switched to (with pine bark, but more on that later) has had its own big effect.