ocotillo

QuestionI purchased an ocotillo last spring and planted it. It sprouted new leaves abnd looked great. Now its lost most of its leaves. Is this normal in the fall? I live in the high desert outside Victorville and ha

cactus trimming

QuestionI recently purchased a home w/some 8 to 10 ft cactus plants that are growing through the screen that covers my patio. I need some instruction on how to properly trim them back 3 or 4 ft. AnswerBill, That w

americana agave cactus looks sick

QuestionI have a large americana agave cactus in my front yard, that seems to be shriviling up at the stalk bases. A few of the cactus leaves at the base have turned black and I have cut the off. The rest of t

scaby cacti

QuestionIve been raising cactus of all types, medium size, for years but with some inevitably in time they get what I call blisters of crackly light brown scabs. My instinct is to use a sharp blade and cut thi

Cutting cactus plants

QuestionI have cactus plants in an outdoor planter on the balcony of my apartment in a high-rise building. They are hitting the ceiling of the balcony and twisting I want to know if I can cut them down and how

small cactus growing sideways white sprouts

QuestionMy daughter got a free little cactus plant at the county fair this summer. Its doing just fine, but there are 3 white sprouts growing sideways out of the top. Just wondering what and why this is happening? T

Cactus Age and Identification

QuestionHi Greg... please follow this link to a thread I have running on UBC Botanical Garden - Reasearch Centre, regarding (2) cacti that I recently received. I have pictures of the two of them there you can view -

Watering Cacti in Winter which are grown under lights

QuestionHello: I have the following cacti which I am growing indoors under lights. 1, Sulcorebutia rauschii cv. Violacidermis WR289 from Bolivia, which is not grafted on a another cacti. 2. Neochilenia Occ

medicinal properties of cactus

QuestionI have heard of Nopal, and cactus gradifolius being eaten for medicinal value. Do you know of any other cactus being used medicinally? As a heart tonic? AnswerHuduva, This is really out of my a

Mammalaria Elongata- Golden star cactus

QuestionMy Golden star cactus appears to be dying at the root. The upper parts of it, appear to be alive. I have removed the dead parts. Some parts have a small string that appears to be part of the roots and

Yacca plants

QuestionHi I have 10 yucca plants that have only been in the ground for 3 mths before that they were just potted, the problem i have is that 1 of the plants has lost its leaves its like a bird has sat on it and it b

Madagascar Palm

QuestionI hope you can help me. I have a Madagascar Palm, that Ive had for about 6 mos. I live in Connecticut, and I put the plant outside in the summer and it grew about 5.I replanted it about a 2 months ago from 6

My Aloe is dying...please help!!!

QuestionI got Aloe vera stem from meijers and since august it was doing OK (it was not growing but was green). I live in illinois and now as the weather is cold I have kept the plant inside. It is dying fast. Nearly

My dying aloe plant

QuestionHi, I was given a large aloe plant by a friend who was moving out of state. It was outside all summer and did very well. I havent had to do anything to it until now. Recently we had a freez

cutting a christmas cactus

Questionwhen i do cuttings from my Christmas cactus, do I just leave it out without water to heal for two weeks and then out into cactus soil? It seems counter intuitive, so i wanted to confirm i have it right. &nbs

Saguaro Spines Turning Black

QuestionI have a 3 saguaros that the spines are turning black. A couple of them are turning black in the mid sections while another is turning black on the top. The plants are otherwise in very good condition. I hav

cereus cactus

QuestionHi Greg: We live in Central Florida and 2 years ago had a cactus garden planted by a professional horticulturist in the front of our house which has a southern exposure. Everything seems to have thrived exc

are my cacti dying

QuestionDear Greg, I have just recently brought my three grafted cacti in from the cold air. I have to admit that I was neglecting them. I am confused as to whether they will live or die. The base

Dying Cereus

QuestionI have a very large Cereus Peruvianus growing on my front lawn. It is about fifty five years old ( I know this from when it was purchased as a very small plant ). It has gone through some rough times. Howeve

Powdery substance on Burros Tail

QuestionHello Greg, My hanging Burros Tail has a consistent thin film of light white powder on the entirety of the plant. It wipes off easily. It doesnt seem to be dust. I am familiar with powde