Username Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 Just came back from the Eden Project yesterday, saw many wonderful plants, and got a small cactus in the shop. It looked cute. Don't know what it is though - was hoping you people could identify it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark.ca Posted April 20, 2008 Report Share Posted April 20, 2008 some sp. of Opuntia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speciesNUT Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 Mamalaria ? "Cristata" Almost imposable to tell the species until it flowers. Bob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark.ca Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 i was thinking at opuntia vestita but you're absolutly right ....that is a mammillaria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumble Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 (edited) It is a mammillaria, most probably mammillaria elongata, which is very variable, it might also be mammillaria saboae or saboae haudeana but this is unlikely as it is much rarer but they do have quite similar spination. When it flowers you will have a better idea, if the flowers are small and yellowish then it is an elongata but if they are much larger and bright pink then it is more likely to be one of the saboae complex. My bet is its elongata. Edited April 21, 2008 by crumble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Username Posted April 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 Ok, thanks. What's the best way to get a cactus to flower? The little tag this one came with says not to water them over winter (begin watering in March). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simba Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 Ok, thanks. What's the best way to get a cactus to flower? The little tag this one came with says not to water them over winter (begin watering in March). Now is the time to start watering your cacti, but don't keep the soil soggy, and never allow the pot to stand in water. Lots of sunlight will get your cactus flowering. Once you see the flower buds appearing, start giving it a high-potassium fertilizer once every two weeks whilst it is in flower. Tomato fertilizer is ideal. Don't let your cactus completely dry out during the winter, give it just enough water to keep the soil slightly damp. Simba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Xefan Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 Ok, thanks. What's the best way to get a cactus to flower? The little tag this one came with says not to water them over winter (begin watering in March). Heat and light ;) Well, within reason of course, you don't want to try cooking it or anything ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Username Posted May 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 Cooked cactus, hmm.. i can't tell how damp the soil is - it's covered by stones. And I don't want to overwater- there are no drainage holes. Repot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark.ca Posted May 11, 2008 Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 immediatly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumble Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 you might find when you go to repot it that it is actually in a small plastic pot within the clay one, I have found this on occasion when I have rescued a cactus from a garden centre, not sure why they do this but it does make repotting easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diva Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 you might find when you go to repot it that it is actually in a small plastic pot within the clay one, I have found this on occasion when I have rescued a cactus from a garden centre, not sure why they do this but it does make repotting easier. they grow them on mass in plastic pots it makes watering etc easyer and then just slip a lil clay overpot on and it 'looks' perfect, everything is about image these days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Username Posted May 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 Um, ok. What soil do cacti take? Can I use normal "Miracle Grow" compost with perlite? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumble Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 pretty much any compost really as long as you add extra grit or perlite etc for drainage. I tend to make my own mix from john innes no 3, grit/perlite/levington or other soil less compost. I don't know the miracle grow compost but should think it will be fine with some perlite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Username Posted May 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 I'll do that tomorrow then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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