Expert: Greg Simpson - 12/16/2007

Question
I live in Dayton, Ohio. This past summer I removed a row of thick shrubs(evergreens) that have occupied the front of my house for over twenty years. Nothing else has ever been planted in or near the front yard. It was basically an overgrown mess that contained bits of trash, rocks, leaves from a sweet gum tree and twigs. I replaced the empty spaces with some mulch i bought from a large pile at the local landscaping business. I then planted different annuals and perennials, but no cactus. Approximately 1 1/2 months later i had baby cactus growing everywhere. i transplanted about 10 of them into flower pots. Half of them are in the house and the other half in the garage where the temperature has been below freezing. Both sets are doing very well. The only other key element i can add is that Ohio was very dry this year and i had to water the flowers a lot. maybe this moisture contributed to their growth ? but where could they have possibly come from and what type are they ?? I have several gardeners that live on both sides and no one has ever seen this. I also have pictures.

Answer
Todd,

Sorry in the delay in getting back to you. Please send me photos to greg8365@hotmail.com. By the way, cactus grow north into Canada and can survive very cold temps. Probably a bird ate some of a cactus fruit somewhere else and "deposited" the seed in your flower bed.

Hope this helps.

Greg