31 December 2008
Things I learned from my plants in 2008
Posted by Stuart under: Cacti; Propagation .
- Ariocarpus really do like water. Lots of it.
- Don’t fret if an ariocarpus appears to have done nothing above ground for years. I repotted several of my smaller arios into nice square pots, and found that far from having stagnated, they had simply channelled all of their energy into making huge subterranean turnips. Their root health was extraordinary.
- I can’t keep adult melocacti. At all. I’m not going to buy a large melo again.
- Tunillas will elongate hilariously if planted out in the garden in a shady spot.
- Rhipsalis pilocarpa thrives outdoors in summer when hung up in the shade of an apple tree. I can’t verify that mine were particularly happy because I’ve planted them upside-down in pots with the bases cut out, but they’re happy nonetheless.
- Grafts of digitostigma tubercles do a great impression of having taken, only to shrivel away suddenly when your back is turned. I shall have another go next year.
- When growing epiphyllums from seed, don’t use a loam-based compost. They’ll germinate OK in it, but thereafter growth will be impeded compared with growth in multi-purpose (peat-based) compost.
- Check any turbinicarpus that doesn’t swell dramatically with water after the first couple of waterings in the season. It is more than likely that it has lost its roots.
- It is impossible to overwater a leuchtenbergia. I kept all of mine constantly damp, and really gave them a good soak at each watering. They are thriving.
- The same goes for fraileas. Angie Money’s article in the BCSS journal was absolutely right – treat them as bog plants – they love it, and will oblige with flowers instead of going straight to seed.