Transplanting a Saguaro

QuestionWhat is the average life expectancy of a Saguaro, once it has been transplanted? AnswerGreg, Probably the same as a non transplanted one (with one exception, overwatering). There is no real way to determin

Milk cactus need pruning

QuestionHi Greg; I have a 8tall and about 8wide milk cactus that I let grow wild for about 25 years. It is too big for the house and I need to prune it. Any suggestions on how to do this so I dont kill t

Totem pole cactus broken

QuestionI purchased a Totem Pole Cactus today and on the way hone it fell over and broke off. Can the broken off piece about 1 1/2 foot be put in the ground to root? Also can the roots be planted and exp

Succulents

QuestionHi Greg, How dry should I allow my Succulents to get? The soil is all cracked up, as I am afraid to overwater.What would be a good rule of thumb? I have a fear of giving them more water than they need. Is th

starting catus cutting

Questionstarting a cuttlng of a silver dollar or pear catus AnswerDoug, By silver dollar cactus I presume you are referring to a Astrophytum asterias. I dont believe that cuttings can be made with that plant. For

My cacus is doing something silly...is it normal

QuestionHello, I have a cactus and I dont know what kind it is but I have had it for four years and it has doubled in size. It is approximately 8 tall now and some of the tallest parts are falling over a

Can ocotillos freeze

QuestionI am looking into adding some ocotillos into the landscaping at my home. One of the biggest problems I have with landscaping is finding plants that are both drought tolerant and can also survive freezi

Paddle Plant

QuestionHi Greg, I have my eye on a paddle plant/flapjack plant. It is at Walmart. It doesnt have any info on it. Could you give me the basics on how to care for it? I appreciate your help, Vee AnswerVee, I not s

CO2 chamber for enhancing Pelecyphora aselliformis health

QuestionCan the health of Pelecyphora aselliformis be enhanced by growing it in a CO2 enriched chamber providing there is sufficient lighting and liquid nutrients? AnswerJeff, I am not sure about that, however mos

Removing barrel cactus

QuestionI have several large barrel cacti in my front yard that I would like to remove. Is there an easy way to do this? AnswerLisa, Not really. The easiest way is to put up a sign for free cacti and someone will

Grafting and accelerated aging

QuestionGreg: I have been told that grafting a slow growing cactus to a fast growing cactus will accelerate the growth rate of the slower plant. However, the faster growth comes with the cost of accelerated aging an

Century Cactus- Dying after Pruing

QuestionWe have a wonderful rock garden full of century cactus in our yard in Austin Texas. We have about 20 or so plants, the largest about 6-7 feet tall/ wide or larger. The mother bloomed around 4 years ago and

Growth of a saguaro Cactus.

QuestionI live in Del Rio Texas. About 1992 or 1993 I legally purchased a 3ft tall Saguaro Cactus in Tucson AZ. It was tagged and I brought it home to Texas. It is now 12 ft tall and everything I have ever read says

aloe vera plants outdoors

QuestionWhat started as a few aloe plants around my tank has spread into a huge area of aloe vera plants that I need to eradicate completely. Their prickly nature and tendency to break off is thwarting my effo

cactus in NH

QuestionMy father has a cactus in New Hampshire that has grown to be 20ft tall. He brings it in every winter but now its to big. I dont know what kind it is but it skinny with babies at the base and has short thorns

Chrismas Cactus

QuestionWhat is the procedure (amount of light vs. dark) to get a christmas cactus to bloom? I have heard 8-11 hours of daylight, and I have heard complete darkness day and night. Which is the correct wa

aloe black sticky substance

QuestionHi Greg, I have an aloe plant indoors (not aloe vera, some other, light green type). Its been very happy for the last 6 months, but I just noticed that there is a black sticky substance flooding the bottom o

Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora

QuestionHi Greg, I was just wondering about a plant that I just purchased from Walmart. The label calls it a Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora. When I got it, it was in 6 inch pot. It actually still is. The soil is kind of grit

Planting Barrel cacti

QuestionDo I need to plant Barrell Cacti in sand or is potting soil OK....they are going in pots and will live in a Phoenix patio.....I currently have them in potting soil but was told to puy them in sand,,,,THANKS!

Cutting back my Cactus

QuestionI live in New York and my Cactus grew about 3 feet this summer. It is now to big to bring in my house. Can I cut it back, and what should I do with the piece I cut off? I think it is a Pilosocercus Rosce or