Hi,
which species? I got these guys from a friend so no tags on them.
Recognition
Recognition
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- Steve Johnson
- Posts: 4547
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:44 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: Recognition
Unfortunately I can't help you on the ID, but I did want to make a couple of observations. First, your mix appears to be nice and lean (in other words, not too soil-heavy, so that's good drainage and aeration of the roots -- what desert cacti need). But second, the pots are way too big for the plants, and their roots won't be able to take up all the water in such a big pot. Here's the basic "rule of thumb" for sizing pots properly:
- Diameter -- a 1.5 cm-2 cm margin around the root ball or the base of the plant, whichever is bigger.
- Depth -- a 1.5 cm-2 cm margin between the lowest root and the bottom of the pot.
If you just want photos without all the blather, please visit my Flickr gallery.
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: Recognition
Thank you for your reply. But can you explain me how a pot could be too big? In nature they don't have a limited area.
Regarding my Pilosocereus azureus, are they too big for the pot or is the pot too big?
Regarding my Pilosocereus azureus, are they too big for the pot or is the pot too big?
- greenknight
- Posts: 4821
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:18 am
- Location: SW Washington State zone 8b
Re: Recognition
Pot culture is very different from growing in the ground - excess water is drawn away by the surrounding soil in the ground. In a pot, only the force of gravity drains it, and it's a weaker force than the adhesion of water to the soil. Soil in the bottom of the pot remains saturated until the plant takes up the excess water. For a fuller explanation, see: http://gardening.stackexchange.com/ques ... ater-table
Spence
- Tom in Tucson
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2022 4:12 pm
- Location: NW Tucson AZ area
Re: Recognition
My guesses:
The cluster on the left looks like a Euphorbia. Either E. tubiglans, or a hybrid with E. polygona.
On the right the stems appear to be withered Echinocereus viereckii var. morricalii.
Steve's suggestions for pot size are very valuable. Be sure to wait at least a week after transplanting before watering.
The cluster on the left looks like a Euphorbia. Either E. tubiglans, or a hybrid with E. polygona.
On the right the stems appear to be withered Echinocereus viereckii var. morricalii.
Steve's suggestions for pot size are very valuable. Be sure to wait at least a week after transplanting before watering.
- Steve Johnson
- Posts: 4547
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:44 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: Recognition
Spence is absolutely correct, and I have a feeling that most beginners aren't aware of what he just said. With that in mind...greenknight wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:19 am Pot culture is very different from growing in the ground - excess water is drawn away by the surrounding soil in the ground. In a pot, only the force of gravity drains it, and it's a weaker force than the adhesion of water to the soil. Soil in the bottom of the pot remains saturated until the plant takes up the excess water. For a fuller explanation, see: http://gardening.stackexchange.com/ques ... ater-table
The pot is too big for the plants. More specifically, the pot is too big for their roots.
Good catch, Tom. Although all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti. Cachi, see this:Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:56 pm My guesses:
The cluster on the left looks like a Euphorbia. Either E. tubiglans, or a hybrid with E. polygona.
On the right the stems appear to be withered Echinocereus viereckii var. morricalii.
https://www.cactiguide.com/cactiornot/
I'll pull out a quote pertaining to the Euphorbia Tom mentioned:
- "Perhaps no other taxon is more commonly confused with true cacti than that of Euphorbia. Some Euphorbias look more like a stereotypical cactus than even some cacti species. Euphorbias can be found all over the world, but most originated in Africa. If you cut a Euphorbia, it will secrete a sticky, milky-white fluid. This fluid contains latex. Flowers of Euphorbias are typically small nondescript buttons with no sepals or petals. Many Euphorbias also have thorns, making them appear even more similar to cacti. Upon closer inspection, however, one can easily see that these are not a separate spine arising from an areole like that of true cacti."
- Cacti grow in spring and summer, then go dormant in fall and winter. (This applies to the northern hemisphere. The growing and dormant seasons are flipped around in the southern hemisphere.)
- Succulents are either summer-dormant or winter-dormant. Knowing which is which will depend on the genus.
Cacti and succulents do have one thing in common -- fertilizers good for cacti are good for succulents too.
If you just want photos without all the blather, please visit my Flickr gallery.
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)