Cacti Archives

Phoenix Cactus Haven Visit

25 October 2024/in Cacti/by Eric Roberts

Phoenix Cactus Haven Visit

A Cactus Lover’s Dream: A Tour of Phoenix, Arizona’s Desert Botanical Gardens

Recently, a close friend treated me to a tour of the Desert Botanical Gardens while I was in Phoenix, Arizona. Cacti have always been a favourite of mine, so I was ecstatic. Seeing these interesting desert dwellers in their native habitat was kind of a dream come true for me because I have a tiny but treasured collection of cacti back home in the UK.

Initial Thoughts: An Abundant Sea of Spikes and Green

The size and diversity of the plants are the first things that catch your attention when you walk into the gardens. Although it’s simple to imagine the desert as a desolate, dead area, that couldn’t be further from reality.

A breathtaking exhibit of plants flourishing in the most extreme circumstances may be found at the Desert Botanical Gardens. Saguaros that towered over me and some of which reached over 40 feet into the sky were like desert sentinels as I walked through them. Even people who don’t know much about cacti may recognise them right away thanks to their distinctive arms.

Examining the Collections: The Finest Cacti

Over 50,000 species are spread throughout five themed trails in the gardens. But naturally, the cacti piqued my curiosity the most. It seemed like being in a living cactus encyclopaedia, from the barrel cacti.Of course, which are robust and spherical, to the prickly pears, which have flat pads and vivid colours.

The golden barrel cactus, with their vivid yellow-green spines that almost seem to sparkle in the sunlight, captivated me for a long time.

Seeing the variety within the cactus family was quite fascinating. The little cactus I have on my windowsill at home has always appealed to me. But seeing these giants made me realise how versatile and different they are.

The Cholla Garden, which was home to the notorious “jumping cholla,” was particularly intriguing. After hearing the terrifying tales of those barbed spines that adhere to your skin at the first sign of contact, I avoided getting too close!

Succulents and Cacti: The Masters of Survival in Nature

Finding out more about how these plants endure in such a harsh environment was one of the highlights. I’m always amazed at how resilient cacti are. They may survive for months without rain because of their thick, meaty stems’ capacity to hold water.

Even in the driest environments, some plants, like the saguaro, may survive for more than 150 years and grow extensive root systems to obtain water.

I also spent some time in the succulent garden, which included plants that retain water in their leaves in addition to cacti. The gorgeous aloe vera plants and agaves, with their jagged, spiky leaves, were breathtaking.

The succulents here made me consider slightly growing my collection, even though I still adore my cacti collection from the UK. After all, they exist in a vast array of shapes and sizes and are equally as intriguing and resilient as cacti.

Resources for My Collection in the UK

I couldn’t help but feel motivated to attempt to replicate some of this desert beauty at home. As I strolled around the gardens.

Although the UK’s climate is obviously not conducive to desert plants. I’m fortunate that succulents and cacti may flourish indoors, particularly on a sunny windowsill.

I’ve already begun gradually expanding my collection, and I’m resolved to find a few more species after this visit. I also brought back a couple of tiny cacti that I had purchased from the garden’s gift store.

The Blooming Desert: An Unexpected Vibration of Colour

I was surprised to learn how colourful the desert might be. Cacti are typically thought of as green, prickly plants; however, many of them have the brightest flowers.

The gardens were speckled with pink, orange, yellow, and red hues.

Although I was not fortunate enough to witness one open this time, the night-blooming cereus. So,for instance, produces beautiful white blossoms.

I was reminded by the beauty of these blooms that cacti are full of surprises despite their hard exteriors.

Despite their tough and resilient appearance. They are capable of producing some of the most exquisite and delicate flowers found in the plant kingdom.

Concluding Remarks: An Essential Stop for Cactus Fans

Anyone who enjoys cacti and desert fauna should visit Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Gardens.

In the midst of the desert, it is a veritable oasis of beauty and knowledge.

For me, it was an opportunity to learn more about the special adaptations and survival techniques. Hence, of these amazing plants in addition to getting a close-up look at them.

I’m already considering how to incorporate some of that desert atmosphere into my own house now that I’m back in the UK.

I’m excited to see where my renewed interest in these spiky plants will lead me. Including my small collection of cacti is expanding!

I strongly advise visiting Arizona if you ever get the chance; you won’t regret it!

Cacti From Seeds

16 October 2024/in Cacti/by Eric Roberts

Cacti From Seeds

One of those peaceful, fulfilling hobbies that allows you to bring a little bit of the desert into your house is growing cactus from seeds. Seeing these intriguing plants grow from small seeds into thorny, sculpture-like plants is an amazing experience. And it’s not as difficult as you would imagine to produce cacti from seeds! All it takes is a little perseverance, careful attention to detail, and excitement. If you’re interested in giving it a go, here’s a step-by-step tutorial to get you going.

Why Plant Seeds for Cacti?

You may ask yourself why you should deal with seeds when you can just pick up a little cactus at the garden centre. The variety and experience hold the key to the solution. Growing cactus from seed allows you to experiment with a variety of species that aren’t usually available in stores. Try experimenting with different cacti’s sizes, shapes, and colours; some may even surprise you with unexpected blooms!

Growing from seeds also has the advantage of being somewhat more cost-effective, particularly if your goal is to amass a collection. More than anything, though, is the joy of seeing them develop from a tiny bit of dust into a mature, spiky beauty. The payoff is certainly worth the wait if you’re patient.

Starting Out: Essential Items

You should gather the following essentials before getting started:

Cactus seeds: specialised nurseries or the internet carry a wide assortment of cactus seeds. You can experiment with uncommon species or start with beginner-friendly varieties like Echinopsis or Mammillaria.
Tiny pots or seed trays: Verify that the pots contain openings for drainage.
Cactus potting mix: You can make your own by combining ordinary compost, sand, and perlite with garden centres to form a soil that drains properly.
Plastic bag or clear cover—to maintain a high humidity level throughout germination.
Small pebbles or fine grit—to aid in drainage and gently cover the seeds.
Spray bottle: This is for light misting.
Detailed Instructions for Growing Cacti from Seeds

1. Get the Seed Tray ready.

First, add cactus soil mix to your pots or seed tray. Cacti like soil that is well-draining and airy, so even while it should be level, avoid compacting it excessively. Here a delicate touch is ideal.

Sow the Seeds #### 2.

Because cactus seeds are so small, handling them should be done carefully. Just disperse the seeds uniformly over the soil’s surface. Avoid burying them too far down! In fact, because they require light to germinate, several types of cacti actually prefer to be kept uncovered. For others, just a very little dusting of fine grit or sand is sufficient.

3. Establish the Proper Setting

Because cacti prefer warm, humid environments, keeping the humidity in your seed tray can be achieved by covering it with a plastic bag or a clear plastic lid. The tray should be placed in bright, indirect light and in a warm area (around 20 to 25 °C). The young seeds are a little delicate at this point, so avoid placing them in full sunlight.

4. Watering

There are some differences between watering mature plants and cactus seeds. Use a spray bottle to lightly sprinkle the soil rather than completely submerge it. The surface should remain somewhat damp but not drenched. Make sure to often check the moisture content, particularly after the seeds begin to sprout.

5. Remain patient.

The waiting game is about to begin. While some cacti seeds sprout in a matter of weeks, others could take months. Tiny green sprouts will begin to poke their way through the ground. Avoid disturbing them too much and keep the atmosphere warm and damp.

6. After Germination

After emerging, it’s critical to progressively acclimatise the seedlings to drier conditions. By gradually increasing the exposure, you can achieve this by removing the plastic cover for a few hours each day. You can allow the soil to dry out a bit more in between mistings as the cactus get bigger.

7. Transplanting

Since cacti grow slowly, it’s not advisable to repot them too quickly. When they are large enough to handle, which may take six months to a year, carefully move them into separate pots filled with new cactus soil. Because cactus don’t require much space to grow in their early years, make sure the pots are modest.

Success Suggestions

Light: The cactus will require an abundance of light once they are established. A bright windowsill is ideal, but keep young plants out of direct sunlight since it might scorch them.

Climatic temperature: Although cacti prefer warmth, once they reach maturity, they can tolerate rather chilly temperatures. When they’re little, try to provide a warm, steady environment for them.

Resilience: Recall that cactus growth is slow. Unless you’re the type of person who needs things done right away, cultivating cactus may need some patience. Still, there’s something charming about the slower growth!

Typical Traps to Avoid

Overwatering: Among the most frequent errors is overwatering. Cacti require extremely little water, particularly in the winter when they are dormant. Rot and other issues might result from overwatering.
Insufficient Lighting: Young seedlings require lots of light to flourish, even if they don’t require direct sunshine. Put them in a light area to ensure they are getting enough.
Irritation: Avoid the need to move or disturb your cacti too soon. Since they grow slowly, it’s better to leave them alone during their formative years.

Final Reflections

One of the best ways to bring a little bit of the raw beauty of nature into your house is to grow cactus from seeds. Even while it could require some effort and time, the process is really fulfilling. Starting from seeds is a great approach to interacting with these fascinating plants, whether your goal is to cover your windowsills with spiky beauties or you just want to appreciate the process of developing something unique.

With the correct circumstances and a healthy amount of perseverance, you’ll soon have an impressive collection of flourishing cacti!

Rediscovering My Passion for Cacti Growing

30 September 2024/in Cacti/by Eric Roberts

Rediscovering My Passion for Cacti Growing

My Passion for Cacti Growing

After much thought I have decided to use my greenhouse for a new cactus collection.I have found it difficult to maintain my lemon trees in recent years. Lemons require alot of attention and I had more important things to do in my life. However thats now in the past. So I have decided to rekindle my love of cacti.

I will utalise my greenhouse for a new collection of cacti starting in the spring of 2025. Winter is almost upon us and I need to clean and sterlise the greenhouse before any cacti are introduced. I have other things going on in my life at the moment so I will slowly cary this work out over the winter period ready for spring.

As the years roll by, life tends to go through its phases,?

When my children were young, my love for cacti was something I had to put on the back burner. Cacti, as most of you probably know, can have some pretty fierce spines, and I wasn’t keen on having little fingers exploring those sharp prickles!

The last thing I wanted was for my youngsters to come running in with a cactus spine in their hand, so for years, I steered clear of collecting these fascinating plants.

But now, with the kids all grown up and having flown the nest

I find myself in a different phase of life—one where I can reignite some old passions. One of those passions is, without a doubt, cacti! I’ve always found them to be such intriguing plants. Their resilience, the way they adapt to harsh conditions, and their unusual shapes and textures always caught my attention.

Now, with more time on my hands and no worries about tiny hands reaching into spiny territory, I’ve been slowly building up a collection again. And I have to say, I’m loving it!

Why Cacti?

I think what first drew me to cacti was their sheer toughness. These plants are survivors. They thrive in some of the most extreme environments, with minimal water and maximum sun—qualities that I find oddly admirable. There’s something very rewarding about watching a cactus flourish with just a bit of care, patience, and the right amount of light.

And let’s not forget their unique beauty! From tall, spiky giants to small, rounded varieties covered in soft fuzz, there’s such diversity in the cactus family. Some bloom with the most incredible flowers, offering bursts of colour you wouldn’t expect from such prickly plants.

Safety First!

Of course, cacti do come with a bit of a health warning! Their spines can range from tiny, hair-like needles that are tricky to remove, to long, sharp spikes that can give you a nasty jab if you’re not careful. I wasn’t taking any chances when my children were small. But now, with no toddlers racing around, I can afford to give them a home on my windowsill once again.

Having a renewed focus on cacti means that I can take my time to properly research the different species and figure out the best ways to care for them. My latest additions are thriving, and I’m thrilled to have the chance to dig into this hobby once more.

Looking Ahead

Now, I’m not just stopping at a few plants! With my children grown and independent, I can dedicate more space to growing my collection, my greenhouse. I’m excited to try my hand at propagating, and I’m keeping my eye out for some of the more unusual varieties to add to my collection. It’s funny how something you set aside years ago can make such a big comeback in your life when the time is right.

If you’ve ever been interested in cacti but worried about the safety side of things, I can totally relate. But once the kids are a bit older, or if you’ve got a house without little ones around, cacti can be an incredibly rewarding and low-maintenance addition to your plant collection.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find a new spot for the latest addition to my cactus family! Southfield Nurseries

Cacti My New Interest

21 September 2024/in Cacti/by Eric Roberts

Cacti My New Interest

As someone who’s always had a passion for gardening, I’ve dabbled in everything from vegetables to flowering shrubs, but one group of plants has largely escaped my notice—until now. Enter cacti, those prickly, resilient wonders of the plant world. It might seem odd, but despite their reputation for being tough desert dwellers, cacti make incredible houseplants, especially when displayed proudly on a kitchen windowsill.

Why Cacti?

For years, I’ve been drawn to traditional outdoor gardening, but I never paid much attention to houseplants, especially cacti. However, once I took a closer look, I realised that cacti offer something truly special. Their sculptural forms, wide variety of shapes, and low-maintenance lifestyle make them perfect companions for indoor spaces.

Cacti belong to the succulent family, meaning they store water in their thick, fleshy tissues, allowing them to survive in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. But the beauty of these plants isn’t just in their survival skills—it’s in their aesthetic appeal. Whether you prefer the spiky look of a golden barrel cactus or the architectural elegance of the tall and slender Euphorbia, there’s a cactus for every taste.

The Perfect Kitchen Companion

One of the best places to grow cacti indoors is the kitchen windowsill. Kitchens are usually bright, well-lit areas, which is ideal for these sun-loving plants. Cacti thrive in bright, indirect light, so a windowsill that gets a lot of sunshine but not too much scorching direct sunlight is perfect. They not only add a touch of nature to your space but also give a minimalist, modern feel to your décor.

Plus, cacti don’t mind a bit of neglect! Unlike some of the more temperamental houseplants, cacti can handle a missed watering or a bit of dust. In fact, they often do better when left alone.

Basic Cactus Care

Despite their tough exterior, cacti do need a bit of attention now and then to keep them happy. But don’t worry, they’re not fussy—just a few simple tips can make all the difference.

1. Watering
The key to cactus care is proper watering. These plants are built for drought conditions, so overwatering is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. The golden rule is to water them sparingly. During the warmer months (spring and summer), give your cactus a good soak about once every two to three weeks, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. In the winter, you can stretch this to once a month or even less. Cacti don’t need much water when they’re not actively growing.

2. Light
Cacti love the light! Place them on a sunny windowsill, preferably facing south or west for the best results. However, be mindful of the intensity of the sunlight—too much direct sunlight, especially in the summer, can scorch the plants. If you notice any signs of browning or shrivelling, move them slightly away from the window.

3. Soil and Potting
Good drainage is essential for cacti. They hate sitting in water, so a well-draining potting mix is a must. You can buy cactus-specific soil mixes from garden centres, which are usually a blend of sand, perlite, and regular potting soil. Make sure your cactus is in a pot with drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom.

4. Fertilising
While cacti don’t need much food, giving them a little boost during the growing season (spring and summer) can help them thrive. Use a diluted cactus fertiliser once a month. In the colder months, when the plant isn’t growing as actively, you can skip this altogether.

Starting Your Own Collection

Today I am visiting Abbey Brook Cactus Nursery in Matlock, Derbyshire. Once I started, I quickly discovered how addictive cactus collecting can be. There’s something about their hardy nature and quirky shapes that makes each one feel unique. From small, spherical varieties like the Mammillaria to the grand, branching Cereus, there’s an endless variety to explore. I now have several on my kitchen windowsill, each with its own distinct character.

In a way, cacti remind me of the wisdom that comes with gardening in general—patience, resilience, and the joy of watching life take root in unexpected places. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance but rewarding way to bring a little greenery into your home, I highly recommend giving cacti a go. Trust me, once you start, you’ll be hooked!

Phoenix Cactus Haven Visit

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Phoenix Cactus Haven Visit