Rediscovering My Passion for Cacti Growing
Rediscovering My Passion for Cacti Growing
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