Hello from Tijuana México

[Omar cord]

Hello everyone,

I consider myself an entry level plant collector but a senior plant lover.
Recently narrowed my focus on cactus plants.
Hoping to meet fellow collectors and maybe do some trade.

I frequent cities from Tijuana to Ventura County California U.S., maybe start going to some expos.

Is there like a beginners classification guide ?

Omar.

[Tom in Tucson]

Hello everyone,

I consider myself an entry level plant collector but a senior plant lover.
Recently narrowed my focus on cactus plants.
Hoping to meet fellow collectors and maybe do some trade.

I frequent cities from Tijuana to Ventura County California U.S., maybe start going to some expos.

Is there like a beginners classification guide ?

Omar.

Welcome! Before I moved here, I lived in San Diego. If you get the chance, be sure to pay a visit to the San Diego Cactus and Succulent Society shows and sales (Winter and Summer). Their sales are the best I've ever seen.

[zpeckler]

Welcome Omar!

What kind of cactus are you growing?

[jerrytheplater]

Welcome Omar.

[gemhunter178]

Welcome!

[Omar cord]

Thank you for the welcome gestures.

I did go once to a expo/competition in the Balboa park, just as a bystander, wasn't much into collecting plants back then.

I will certainly inquire about the San Diego cactus and succulent society shows and sales.
What I have been doing is visiting plant nurseries in my area looking for out of the ordinary plants in general.

The specimens I have might be considered common, will start taking pictures and gathering the scientific names as much accurate as possible, will likely open another post and put the link here.

[anttisepp]

Lucky man, you can grow them outdoors all year round, make beautiful frontyard with different exotic plants.

[Nino_G]

Welcome Omar! I'm looking forward to see pictures of your plants.

[Tom in Tucson]

Thank you for the welcome gestures.

I did go once to a expo/competition in the Balboa park, just as a bystander, wasn't much into collecting plants back then.

I will certainly inquire about the San Diego cactus and succulent society shows and sales.
What I have been doing is visiting plant nurseries in my area looking for out of the ordinary plants in general.

The specimens I have might be considered common, will start taking pictures and gathering the scientific names as much accurate as possible, will likely open another post and put the link here.

Having lived in Sn Diego and the suburbs there (La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, and
La Jolla), I know their are a variety of different climate to choose from. Wherever in Tijuana you live, I would recommend that in addition to just buying what seems like the most desirable succulent ATM, be sure to add some of the natives, as well. Find out what's growing near you, and start with those first.

[zpeckler]

Be sure to add some of the natives, as well. Find out what's growing near you, and start with those first.

Ferocactus virisescens is a native species characteristic of the SD/Tijuana area. Also Ferocactus cylindraceus, which is from a little east of you but still a local. For something a little less common there's Bergerocactus emoryi, which is a delightful golden-spined columnar.

There are so many cool species from the Baja, Sonora, and Southern California area!

[Omar cord]

Thank you, will consider the suggestions.
I will start taking pictures so I can integrate in a post here.

[Tom in Tucson]

Thank you, will consider the suggestions.
I will start taking pictures so I can integrate in a post here.

I look forward to seeing your new images.

Just to expound on my advice of including native succulents in your new collection, I'd like to emphasize that the species which are most abundant (excluding most of the Opuntiads) in your neighborhood are going to likely be the easiest to start with. After you find out what species seem to thrive under your cultivation techniques, the results can help you to decide how other succulents growing in a similar climate should perform. While living in the coastal section of San Diego (Ocean Beach), Imperial Beach, and La Jolla, I could grow South African genera like Tylecodon, Pelargonium, and most members of the Mesembryanthemum genera ("Mesems" or ice plants) with hardly any effort (or none at all).

Good luck on building a nice healthy collection!