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Post by mickthecactus on May 29, 2008 8:14:21 GMT 1
Once you've cracked it (and you never really crack it) Stapeliads are very rewarding with fantastic flowers. These are what I supply to Kew who certainly can't crack it. I haven't cracked it with the Tromotriche...it's gone all limp and looks very dead...<anguishedhowlsmiley> I am a Stapeliad murderer.....soo sorry Mick.......and I did exactly what you told me to do....sniff....  I know the feeling...... If it hasn't rotted just be patient. Have you checked to see if any roots are forming? |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 29, 2008 8:17:41 GMT 1
Nope...I am ignoring it...too upsetting.....I shall have to have a look now though. It's very limp...I'm not very good at reviving such limpness....  I usually give up at that point.......... ;D |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 24, 2008 20:36:12 GMT 1
Lots of watering needed in this hot weather. Make the most of it.
I've just watered about two thirds of the collection but too knackered to finish - I'll do that in the morning before work.
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Post by roan on Jul 24, 2008 20:40:47 GMT 1
Lots of watering needed in this hot weather. Make the most of it. I've just watered about two thirds of the collection but too knackered to finish - I'll do that in the morning before work. I thought cactuses liked hot dry desert conditions?  |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 24, 2008 22:12:05 GMT 1
They are able to tolerate it but like their water and feeding at the same time. If you didn't water them they would live quite happily but not grow. It's a survival instinct for want of a bettter word. In habitat once water arrives they grow quickly then stop once water disappears. In our summer they slow right down at this time but will start again in about a month for a last burst before winter.
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Post by roan on Jul 24, 2008 22:19:50 GMT 1
They are able to tolerate it but like their water and feeding at the same time. If you didn't water them they would live quite happily but not grow. It's a survival instinct for want of a bettter word. In habitat once water arrives they grow quickly then stop once water disappears. In our summer they slow right down at this time but will start again in about a month for a last burst before winter. We water our cacti every one or two weeks and they reward us with beautiful flowers!  |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 24, 2008 22:22:18 GMT 1
Exactly what they want Roan. Spot on.
Still haven't rooted up Pelargonium tricolor btw.
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Post by roan on Jul 24, 2008 22:25:57 GMT 1
Exactly what they want Roan. Spot on. Still haven't rooted up Pelargonium tricolor btw. You know what they say Mick: "Don't put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today". |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 24, 2008 22:28:14 GMT 1
I rarely do Roan.
Any suggestions re Pel tricolor?
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Post by roan on Jul 24, 2008 22:31:25 GMT 1
I rarely do Roan. Any suggestions re Pel tricolor? They have an Alpine habit, like sandy soil and are very floriferous. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 24, 2008 22:36:14 GMT 1
They may well be but they're buggers to root....
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Post by roan on Jul 24, 2008 22:39:26 GMT 1
They may well be but they're buggers to root.... They are tenacious, so not given to a superabundance of roots. Patience is the keyword here! |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 24, 2008 22:42:28 GMT 1
Patience is my middle name.....
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Post by debbiem on Jul 25, 2008 8:36:20 GMT 1
Mick - I've bought three Sempervivums which I've got in a trough with some of the chickens' oyster shell grit over the surface of the compost. They look great and are doing well but the question is......how often should I water them, as it's been very dry here lately and I usually only give them a dribble or so of water but I don 't want to underwater them.
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 25, 2008 8:54:37 GMT 1
Debbie, it's pretty much impossible to underwater them. Mine only get whatever falls out of the sky.
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Post by debbiem on Jul 25, 2008 9:00:20 GMT 1
That's great, thanks Mick. The only water they get is the dribble from the plants in pots above them that comes out from underneath whenever I water them.
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 9, 2008 9:41:42 GMT 1
I've just been reading an article in the American Cactus magazine extolling the virtues of white vinegar. If using hard tap water add one tablespoonful to every 5 gallons to counteract the alkalinity. Apparently the benefit can show very quickly as it unlocks fertiliser in the soil previously unavailable.
I shall try it from now on as I only use tap water.
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 13, 2008 7:51:18 GMT 1
Really? I'll have a go too. We have our own water supply here but it is all filtered through chalk so is prolly a bit too alkaline for a lot of my plants.....I wonder if it's OK for my carniverous plants too - sometimes I run out of rainwater in the summer (HA! I can't believe I've just written that : ) I vaguely recall reading that using tapwater that has stood for a while is better too as it reduces the alkalinity - is that true, do you think? Or another myth maybe.... |
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 13, 2008 9:15:19 GMT 1
Mick, that Echeveria 'Firecracker' you gave me has lots of seeds on its flowers now - is it easy to grow from seed please? When? How? Where? In what? (Answers when you're feeling better if you like  ) |
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 13, 2008 9:20:32 GMT 1
On the watering give it a go 4P. A teaspoon to every 2 gallons. Makes it smell like a bit of a chip shop though.
On the Echeveria try sowing them now - just use the basic technique.
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 13, 2008 9:25:58 GMT 1
OK ta angel X
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Post by mickthecactus on Sept 2, 2008 13:21:11 GMT 1
The vinegar water is definitely working. The cacti look very perky.
Anyhow, time to start easing off the watering now and definitely no more for the cacti ater the end of this month.
Succulents can continue to be watered with caution through to about November if the weather is Ok but after that only the winter growers such as Pelargoniums and Sarcocaulon, Tylecodon, Othonnas and Aeoniums.
I occasionally water Stapeliads if the stems feel too soft but then they go straight into the propagator to help dry them up quickly.
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Post by mickthecactus on Sept 2, 2008 14:54:22 GMT 1
They may well be but they're buggers to root.... They are tenacious, so not given to a superabundance of roots. Patience is the keyword here! I'm very patient because there is still no sign of root even though they are all still healthy. I was at Kew last week and they have taken cuttings as well. I shall look closely at their collection of Pels next year though... Did I tell you I had acquired P. longifolium? |
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Post by mickthecactus on Sept 2, 2008 14:55:50 GMT 1
Mick - you very kindly gave me a Manfreda Maculata - but it doesn't seem happy on a sunny window sill the leaves wither and then dry out - what's wrong do you think? It is natural for the leaves to dry at the tips. I find it needs a lot of water though which helps a lot. If yours is indoors I would water monthly in winter as well. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Sept 2, 2008 15:08:28 GMT 1
Actually The witch I've just looked at it on Google Images and although there aren't many pictures, where it's planted into the ground even the leaf tips don't dry up which gives a clue. Probably needs a decent sized pot too.
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I usually give up at that point.......... ;D
)