Cactus/Questions Answered by Expert Maureen
| Subject | Date Asked |
| cactus care | 1/18/2012 |
| Q: Just moved to the Phoenix area and I have a prickly pear, totem pole, golden barrel and twisted ... A: Congratulations on some great plants! As a rule, from April to September established cactus plants ... | |
| Aloe Vera | 1/2/2012 |
| Q: I have read somewhere that aloe vera plant can be propagated through its leaf cutting,I wanted to ... A: As winter is it's dormant period it may take longer to root - 2wks to 1 month or so - hard to say. ... | |
| Aloe Vera | 1/2/2012 |
| Q: I have read somewhere that aloe vera plant can be propagated through its leaf cutting,I wanted to ... A: Yeas they can, tho I find it easier through offshoots. Anyway, here's how: First, select a leaf to ... | |
| Droopy cactus | 12/27/2011 |
| Q: I have had a cactus plant for about 11 years Never had a problem and it has been growing very well. ... A: Do you have a photo? Do you know what kind of plant it is? Is it just an arm that is drooping or ... | |
| Floppy, leaning zebra plant (hawthornia fasciata (sp?) | 12/23/2011 |
| Q: I have a small zebra plant (dark green leaves with raised, white, horizontal patterns that look like ... A: I would seperate the healthy part of the plant as soon as possible as the rot is extending up. It ... | |
| Floppy, leaning zebra plant (hawthornia fasciata (sp?) | 12/23/2011 |
| Q: I have a small zebra plant (dark green leaves with raised, white, horizontal patterns that look like ... A: Deaer Brittany, Thanks for the photos! From what I can see, it looks like your plant has rot at ... | |
| Cactus Question | 12/18/2011 |
| Q: Maureen: I have a question about a cactus that I discovered in my yard about a year ago in Phoenix, ... A: I will get back to you on the name of the cactus. It's hard to ID because it's so etiolated. Open ... | |
| Aloe Vera | 12/7/2011 |
| Q: I was reading up on the internet yesterday about the benefits of aloe vera jel. In watching a video ... A: Try cutting the stalk higher up and see if it's more clear. Sometimes there is some color in the ... | |
| Rapidly growing Echeveria cactus | 11/22/2011 |
| Q: I live in Phila, Pa and I bought an Echeveria "Black prince" cactus this past Spring. It's growing ... A: My e-mail address is moken_33@yahoo.com Echeveria typically develop long stalks with small flowers ... | |
| Christmas Cacti air-roots? | 11/18/2011 |
| Q: I relocated my 3 smaller Christmas Cacti to my room about a week ago (I work thirds and like my room ... A: Sorry for the delay in responding. I didn't get your original e-mail. As for your cactus with some ... | |
| ruby red ball cactus | 11/9/2011 |
| Q: I have a ruby red ball cactus and since I got it have had difficulty getting it to stand up on its ... A: You don't need to repot it. Unfortunately it is essentially dead. The ball has lost it's color and ... | |
| ruby red ball cactus | 11/8/2011 |
| Q: I have a ruby red ball cactus and since I got it have had difficulty getting it to stand up on its ... A: Do you have a photo? It sounds like you have a grafted cactus, probably Gymnocalycium mihanovichii ... | |
| Cactus/Succulent | 9/5/2011 |
| Q: My daughter gave me this plant and I'm wondering exactly what it is. It is a pretty green, with ... A: It is a euphorbia. I believe it's a Euphorbia tortirama with some variegation and a bit of ... | |
| I' m not sure what kind of cactus i have and why it's turning red. | 6/1/2011 |
| Q: My cactus is small and squat. Occasionally it will sprout on the top of another sprout. And ... A: In this case it's really hard to help with out a picture. I can tell you that cacti do develop arms ... | |
| smooshed cactus | 4/27/2011 |
| Q: i droped my cactus and now the top is smooshed, what can i do? Also as it droped i went to grab it ... A: That's a bummer! The only thing you can do is cut it back to below the damage with a sterilized ... | |
| totem pole cactus injury | 4/26/2011 |
| Q: Our totem pole cactus got "injured" poked by a bamboo stick and is now infected turning limp around ... A: You can cut off the infected part of the cactus with a sterilized knife back to healthy tissue, ... | |
| Mold on mesembs? | 4/25/2011 |
| Q: I just renewed my mesemb collection with some pleiospilos nelii, in less then a month of having them ... A: I am not a mesemb expert, but what I'd do is separated the plants from your other plants, brush the ... | |
| Cactus | 4/24/2011 |
| Q: My cactus has sprouted at the top is this a baby growing? What do i do with it? Please help me and ... A: Are you talking about he smaller plant? it has sprouted, as it should as it knows it' active period ... | |
| RE: Repot a tiny cactus | 4/22/2011 |
| Q: I purchased a teenie little cactus with a pretty pink flower in a tiny tiny pot.......the roots of ... A: By all means repot it. Cacti like to be crowded so I'd go to the next size pot or what you need so ... | |
| Euphorbia lactea crest | 4/20/2011 |
| Q: I just got one of the awesome succulents but am not sure if I can plant it in the full sun. It is ... A: Never put a plant in full sun without doing it gradually. Over the course of a month I cover mine ... | |
| what cacti | 4/18/2011 |
| Q: i need help to find out what cacti these are that i have attached A: Dea louise, The plant on the far left is barrel cactus. The one in the middle, not sure. I'll ... | |
| black rot on top and middle of cactus | 4/12/2011 |
| Q: I found your note to the lady who had an indoor cactus, helpful, but have a slightly different ... A: Be careful of the sun. You need to get them used to it gradually or they will burn. The callous on ... | |
| Cacti looking ill | 4/11/2011 |
| Q: I have a cacti that has these white things all over it and i think it is dying how can i stop it. A: You're not giving me much to go on so so I am giving you this website: www.CactiGuide.com. Go to ... | |
| epiphyllum and diseases | 3/11/2011 |
| Q: I grow eppies as a hobby and I'm running into a few problems that i hope you can hep me with, i can ... A: It looks like scale to me. Can you scrape the spot off with your fingernail? Is the stem sticky as ... | |
| Castle cactus slowly dying | 3/9/2011 |
| Q: I have had a castle cactus for over five years now. It is over a foot high. We built another home, ... A: Look at the roots. It souldns lke the plant is rotting from the roots up. If they are brown, flat, ... | |
| suaguaro cactus problems :( | 3/8/2011 |
| Q: I moved into my home about 6 month ago. There is a 12' suaguaro cactus in the front yard. A couple ... A: Sorry I wasn't more clear. Yes, I think the broken arms are transplantable. Make a clean cut above ... | |
| suaguaro cactus problems :( | 3/7/2011 |
| Q: I moved into my home about 6 month ago. There is a 12' suaguaro cactus in the front yard. A couple ... A: From what I can see the main plant is really infected with rot and looks dead or at least well on ... | |
| Blueagave care? | 3/6/2011 |
| Q: please help.I have several blue agave plants that I have had for about 6 years. I live in Silver ... A: If the center of each plant has new growth or undamaged growth I would just wait till the damaged ... | |
| Candelabra Cactus | 3/4/2011 |
| Q: my 4 foot candelabra cactus was frost bitten during our latest freezing night here in Phoenix. Some ... A: So sorry for the delay. Yes, by all means cut the dead limbs off. You can eithr cut back to the ... | |
| pear cactus blight | 3/1/2011 |
| Q: Each year, my pear cacti are beset with white spots that eventually kill the plants. I've asked ... A: I added a picture and you can see if it looks anything like this. If so, what you have is an insect ... | |
| Brown spots on San Pedro | 2/28/2011 |
| Q: I have several San Pedro and have suddenly noticed dark brown spots on all of them. I checked the ... A: Sorry for the slow answer and thanks for the picture. i wanted to show it to some folks that are ... | |
| Candalabra Cactus dying | 2/27/2011 |
| Q: I saw a similar question on this site about a candalabra cactus but with mine the lower central stem ... A: Do you have a photo? How do you know it's rotting? What does it look/feel like? The reason is that ... | |
| Stetsonii | 2/26/2011 |
| Q: My stetsonii frozen this season and though it had survived freezes before, now it has turned spongy ... A: If the entire plant is spongy you probably can't. If it is spongy only around the moldy area you may ... | |
| Sad Cactus | 2/25/2011 |
| Q: Maureen. I successfully completed the surgery. I found the spot of rot had gone all the way through, ... A: I was afraid of that. Good job tho. You can absolutely plant the calloused end, tho I'd wait a ... | |
| Cactus ID | 2/24/2011 |
| Q: I am wondering if you can help me identify this cactus. It was grown in Canada by Sorensen ... A: I am not exactly sure which columnar cactus it is so I sent it along to some folks that will, so be ... | |
| black rot on top and middle of cactus | 2/22/2011 |
| Q: I found your note to the lady who had an indoor cactus, helpful, but have a slightly different ... A: It's hard to tell how extensive that rot is but it is worrisome that there is a color change above ... | |
| classification | 2/21/2011 |
| Q: What kind of cactus is this? I'm really desperate, I've been poking around for hours but I haven't ... A: I believe you have a young melocactus there. When mature it will develope a cephalium, a wool- and ... | |
| My airplant | 2/20/2011 |
| Q: ! A: You've got me. I have not idea where you can buy it. I do suggest rooting powder if get that at a ... | |
| blue agave care | 2/17/2011 |
| Q: I recently acquired a "blue agave" plant (the kind used for tequila), but I'm not sure how to care ... A: I recently read about a blue agave that was grown in a greenhouse in Boston and bloomed after 50 ... | |
| My airplant | 2/17/2011 |
| Q: Can i cut the airplants leaves when broken or should i leave it to heal? And I dont know how to help ... A: The broken leaves won't heal. You can make a clean cut with a sterilized knife or scissors and ... | |
| Euphorbis turning yellow and dry | 2/13/2011 |
| Q: I have had this euphorbia about 10 years. In the last year it has started to turn yellow in the ... A: The sunburn won't damage the plant any further but it will always appear damaged. The most ... | |
| Euphorbis turning yellow and dry | 2/13/2011 |
| Q: I have had this euphorbia about 10 years. In the last year it has started to turn yellow in the ... A: Why so stingy with the water? And I would repot it. 3 years is a long time for a big plant like ... | |
| Aloe Vera | 2/12/2011 |
| Q: When I pull them off liquid pours out of them. Any ideas? I don't think I'm over watering as I have ... A: I'd guess rot. Aloe contain a ton of water and need very little extra. In the winter I rarely ... | |
| blue agave care | 2/10/2011 |
| Q: I recently acquired a "blue agave" plant (the kind used for tequila), but I'm not sure how to care ... A: No worries. Just don't have it go dormant and treat it the same year round. yes, the new leaf ... | |
| blue agave care | 2/7/2011 |
| Q: I recently acquired a "blue agave" plant (the kind used for tequila), but I'm not sure how to care ... A: Agave tequilana azul isn't the slowest growing agave that I know of. It is usually grown outdoors ... | |
| frozen san pedro | 2/6/2011 |
| Q: after several days of hard freeze in s.west tx. about 10-12 3-4' tall san pedro cactus seem to be ... A: I'm no expert on psychedelic properties of cacti (to my great regret). I suspect it is viable and ... | |
| frozen san pedro | 2/5/2011 |
| Q: after several days of hard freeze in s.west tx. about 10-12 3-4' tall san pedro cactus seem to be ... A: Do you have a picture of the plant? Why do you think it's dead? San Pedro (common name for more than ... | |
| WATERING AN ALOE PLANT | 1/31/2011 |
| Q: How often should you water an aloe plant? A: Aloes hold a lot of water and can go months without watering. In the winter I water when the soil ... | |
| Brown & now sounds hollow | 12/29/2010 |
| Q: I am not sure of the type cactus I have, but it is about 6-7 feet tall and has about 3 "arms". I ... A: I still think it's corking, Nathan. The other possibility is dry rot. I'd leave it alone for now ... | |
| cacti in potting shed frozen | 12/28/2010 |
| Q: My mother has some wonderful cacti and did not realize that the radiator in the outdoor ... A: My only suggestion is to remove all the soft and droopy limbs to healthy tissue with a sterilized ... | |
| Cactus turning brown | 12/23/2010 |
| Q: I am not sure of the type cactus I have, but it is about 6-7 feet tall and has about 3 "arms". I ... A: It is hard to tell with out seeing the plant but what it may be experiencing a process called ... | |
| cactus leaning | 12/22/2010 |
| Q: bought a cactus 2 years ago a foot tall, it was straight. planted it and now its 5ft tall and still ... A: My first choice would be to stake it and see if that straightens it out over time. If you can't do ... | |
| rooting aloe limbs | 12/19/2010 |
| Q: I'm not sure of my terminology, but an aloe vera plant at work was severely over growing it's ... A: If you broke of clusters first you need to let them callous over which can take a couple of weeks ... | |
| Gafted cactus: The mother plant is getting yellowish | 12/16/2010 |
| Q: I have a grafted cactus with a red scion. It was grafted about 15 months ago. The mother plant has ... A: Theses grafts have an average life span of 1-2 years, if that long. Usually the scions are ... | |
| cactus is rotting and soft | 12/13/2010 |
| Q: I have a cactus that my wife bought from Ikea about 6 years ago. Now its over 5 feet tall. It was ... A: What you have is a Euphorbia trigona and a large part of it is dead. The right side of it may be ... | |
| brown skin on cactus | 12/12/2010 |
| Q: I have a cactus that is 14 year old. got it at home depo. 3 " high now 60' high ,and the last two ... A: You have a couple of lovely Euphorbias - not cacti. The browning at the base of your plants is ... | |
| Brown spot | 12/10/2010 |
| Q: I have a brown spot that has formed on my Oreocereus Hendricksianus and is starting to growing in ... A: Is the brown spot soft? I suspect that you ave a bit of rot. Rot usually grows from the roots up ... | |
| frozen aloe vera plant | 12/4/2010 |
| Q: I read a previous answer to this question, but need a bit more info...I live in Minn. I have 2 ... A: Well, that's upsetting!. I think at least with the plant that has a firm center you'll have to take ... | |
| saguaro big and not perfectly straight! | 12/3/2010 |
| Q: ! I planted a 30 inch saguaro oct. 2000 in front of our house in Peoria,az.I watered it once a month ... A: Do you have any photos? It's hard for me to picture what you're saying. Is it close to anything so ... | |
| What type of Cactus is this? | 12/2/2010 |
| Q: Is this a saguaro cactus? It was identified as such when I bought it. Here's some information: ... A: It's hard for me to say because the growth is abnormal, tho the plant looks healthy. The brown at ... | |
| Coral Cactus Propagation... | 10/8/2010 |
| Q: I've had this coral cactus for about a year and a half now. It grew out two babies and i cut them ... A: I don't know if your babies will form crests, assuming you are talking about a Euphorbia lactea ... | |
| Replanting a 7ft prickly cactus | 10/7/2010 |
| Q: I have a 7ft very prickly cactus in a 10in pot right now. I live in Cincinnati, OH. It is an indoor ... A: This isn't the best time to transplant but if you have to, here's how. Enlist the help of a friend ... | |
| Moving a Cactus without getting stickers! | 10/5/2010 |
| Q: I am moving my potted cactus about 3 feet tall. It is the type with the large flat oval "leaves" ... A: I am at somewhat of a disadvantage because I don't understand what cactus you have. If you have a ... | |
| tall straight cactus w/ new growth at top | 10/4/2010 |
| Q: My husband has has this cactus for years. Abot two years ago it started what looks like a new one ... A: Do you mean it is growing a new offshoot or arm? You certainly can remove the new growth by cutting ... | |
| Scalp puncture from a large cactus | 10/2/2010 |
| Q: I managed to get several punctures to the temple and the side of my head from a large cactus. I ... A: so sorry for the slow response. Several Possibilities. You may be having an allergic reaction to the ... | |
| Cactus | 9/29/2010 |
| Q: My brothers moon cactus is dying in the stem so like can i cut off the stem and replant the top or ... A: Actually, your brother's cactus is dead. A moon cactus is a grafted cactus. For this particular ... | |
| cactus or what | 9/26/2010 |
| Q: I bought this cactus at a flea mkt. and it has grown quite a bit this year. It is now about a foot ... A: It is a bromeliad, not a cactus. It is a tropical plant. The little plant is an agave, a succulent. ... | |
| Cactus with split at the top | 9/7/2010 |
| Q: My 5 foot tall cactii (I think it is a Pilosocereus pachycladus ) fell over outside in a high wind ... A: Don't you just hate that? I think they may heal, with scars. I'd get some fungicide/insecticide ... | |
| euphorbia hermentiana - base starting to turn yellow after replanting | 9/5/2010 |
| Q: I got two of these cactus that were rootbound in pots. I replanted them in bigger pots, using cactus ... A: It is hard to say with out a picture. I suspect you have rot. Are the yellow areas soft at all? ... | |
| Removing arms from an Argentine Giant | 8/29/2010 |
| Q: We live near Phoenix, Arizona and have a beautiful Argentine Giant in our front yard. Some of the ... A: You can remove the arms. I'd get a piece of rug to wrap around the arm you are removing to protect ... | |
| Cactus arms yellowing | 8/26/2010 |
| Q: The arms on my cactus are all turning yellow to black. I have removed the dried up ones but it keeps ... A: What is happening with the mother plant? Is it yellowing? Getting mushy? The arms won't yellow ... | |
| cactus with weird growth | 8/23/2010 |
| Q: last year i put my cactus plants outside to soak up some sun. i left them out there all day . about ... A: Oh dear! (thanks for the photos). Yes, that's sunburn, won't harm the plants in the long run and is ... | |
| Succulent Arm | 8/19/2010 |
| Q: I have been given a 2 foot arm broken off at the mother stalk of a Euphorbia Ammak variegetta. I ... A: Deasr Linda, My preferernce is a clen cut with a sterilized knife, greatly cutting back the chance ... | |
| child's seed kit | 8/16/2010 |
| Q: Having a "black thumb", I purchased a child's gardening kit to grow cactus. I followed the ... A: So you don't have a black thumb! I would leave them in the pots they are in now until they are ... | |
| Black rot on large potted cactus - please help! | 8/15/2010 |
| Q: Maureen - I’m hoping you can help me… I have a 5 foot tall cactus that I love, in a large pot in my ... A: I only received one picture but from what I can see the rot on that one arm is extensive and you ... | |
| Need cacti identification | 8/14/2010 |
| Q: I live near Calgary in southern Alberta. While doing some yard cleaning in our alley, I came across ... A: Well that must have been a fun surprise! Actually cacti are native to the New World from Canada ... | |
| Can my cacti survive the move | 8/13/2010 |
| Q: you've helped us in the past. We are moving from So. Cal to Tehachapi, CA can our cactus and ... A: They needv to be kept above freezing. If you are moving to a climate that is colder, but remains ... | |
| candelabra cactus suddenly drooping | 8/12/2010 |
| Q: I have had this candelebra cactus (or succulent) for many years. Over the past week and a half it ... A: Do you have a picture? That kind of drooping can be from a too heavy cactus or from a dying cactus. ... | |
| repotting aloe vera | 8/11/2010 |
| Q: I have recently acquired a 2 foot tall aloe vera from someone who was going to throw it away. Two ... A: I'm sorry, I thought I answered this. If you can't find powdered fungicide see if you can get a ... | |
| repotting aloe vera | 8/11/2010 |
| Q: I have recently acquired a 2 foot tall aloe vera from someone who was going to throw it away. Two ... A: Well that a nice acquisition! First, aloe vera are pretty hardy, repotting-wise. It might be ... | |
| paddle cactus fungus | 7/7/2010 |
| Q: white, fungus like growth, covers much of the cactus. what should I do? A: It's hard to say what you have with out a picture, but here are a few possibilities: The most ... | |
| gymnocalycium mihanovichii rotting? | 7/5/2010 |
| Q: So I got a cactus of the gymnocalycium mihanovichii sort and I think perhaps I may have overwatered ... A: Oh dear! That plant is beyond salvation and yes, it is fungal or bacterial rot. Cactus thrive on ... | |
| old man cactus has oozing black spot | 7/2/2010 |
| Q: we have a fairly large old man cactus and noticed a black soft spot toward the top. The spot seems ... A: Unfortunately that is black rot. Usually when you see it it's even more extensive inside the plant. ... | |
| Fairy Castle Cactus Rot? | 6/30/2010 |
| Q: I have a little fairy castle cactus that has a brown what I assume is rotting area on one of its ... A: It's good that the roots look healthy. it's important that he rot hasn't extended to the next stem. ... | |
| Argentine Giant | 6/30/2010 |
| Q: My Argentine Giant Cactus has several arm and is about 5 foot across. It produces many flowers at ... A: I'm assuming by the size it's outdoors? It's hard to say what's causing the yellowing. No ... | |
| Fairy Castle Cactus Rot? | 6/27/2010 |
| Q: I have a little fairy castle cactus that has a brown what I assume is rotting area on one of its ... A: A closer picture would be good. In the mean time take it out of the pot and look at the roots to ... | |
| totem pole cactus | 6/18/2010 |
| Q: I have about a 3 to 4 foot tall totem pole cactus planted in a pot. It's about 4 to 5 inches in ... A: I'm so sorry to hear about your accident. It's difficult when you can't clean out all the rot to ... | |
| Cactus Identification | 6/16/2010 |
| Q: I live in central Minnesota. I've aquired several cacti over the past year, and I've noticed that ... A: Yes, it is frustrating to only be able to send one picture at a time. You can send me the others ... | |
| ocotilla Plant | 6/15/2010 |
| Q: Can you start plant from cuttings of the ocotillo plant? if so, how would you start it? A: There is some disagreement as to how easy it is to root an ocotillo, but it is possible. this is ... | |
| Coral Catus plant | 6/14/2010 |
| Q: I have a Coral Cactus plant and a bunch or little gnat looking bugs have decided to take residence ... A: It looks like you have fungus gnats. The gnats themselves won't bother your plant, but to trap them ... | |
| Mexican fencepost cactus | 6/14/2010 |
| Q: My Mexican fencepost cactus is approximate 60 inches tall and the cactus is turning yellow from the ... A: Is the yellow part of the cactus softer than the upper part? Have you had much rain or moved it ... | |
| Discoloration on saguaro cactus | 6/12/2010 |
| Q: My son was given a potted saguaro cactus about 7 years ago. It is in a south facing window (we live ... A: I'm not sure. The white/tan at the base could be normal corking that older cacti develop at the base ... | |
| Coral Catus plant | 6/11/2010 |
| Q: I have a Coral Cactus plant and a bunch or little gnat looking bugs have decided to take residence ... A: It is difficult to tell from your description what kind of bugs you have. Do you have a picture? ... | |
| crown of thorn plant | 6/9/2010 |
| Q: the plant seems to be healthy except all of the stems are bent over like they are top heavy...i ... A: There are a couple of possibilities that I can think of. 1 it is top heavy, but why wasn't it in ... | |
| Cactus | 6/7/2010 |
| Q: We have had this cactus for 5 years. It has been growing and doing fine. However, the past couple ... A: Not seeing it, I'd guess it is corking which a natural occurence as cacti get older, especially in ... | |
| Aloe Vera gel color | 6/3/2010 |
| Q: I've recently purchased and Aloe Plant that I wanted to use to treat sunburns for the summer. My ... A: Sorry it's take me so long to respond - computer problems. That is the correct aloe for treating ... | |
| Cactus identification | 6/1/2010 |
| Q: Good morning. I can't identify this specie (and even bought a book) because it has a rounded top ... A: From what I can see in the attached photo, the globular plant looks like a Gymnocalicium species, ... | |
| Euphorbia has hit the ceiling | 5/31/2010 |
| Q: I have a 20 ur old euphorbia trogons green which has mow hit the ceiling and started to bend. I ... A: By all means prune the plant. With a sharp knife(sterilized with alcohol) cut the largest arm down ... | |
| Tall cactus few roots | 5/30/2010 |
| Q: I just transplanted a very tall and spindly cactus to a smaller pot. It’s over five feet tall but ... A: I believe you are describing etiolation which is pale, sickly, excessive growth caused by ... | |
| Yellowing "Donkey Tail" | 5/30/2010 |
| Q: I live in Southern California and grow "Donkey Tail" outdoors. I have noticed that the beads are ... A: It could be a number of things: over watering, too much sun, age, disease. This sedum is prone to ... | |
| Broken head of Cactus | 5/28/2010 |
| Q: Please help me,i have a light green prickly cactus,raised from a tiny finger to a massive foot long ... A: It sounds like the base actually developed dry rot somewhere along the way (it might even have been ... | |
| Zizi plant | 5/27/2010 |
| Q: I would like to know what is wrong with my zizi plant. The leaves keep curling then they yellow and ... A: I would put it in a smaller pot after trimming the roots if you only have a stem left. They like to ... | |
| mexican fence post cactus | 5/27/2010 |
| Q: I have a 4 foot specimen that lives in the house in the winter and on my patio in the summer. I ... A: Yes, you can. Get a sharp knife, sterilize it with rubbing alcohol and cut above the sunburned ... | |
| blue agave | 5/26/2010 |
| Q: I have a blue agave planted outside my home in a rock bed. Weeds continually pop up. Can I put ... A: I wouldn't. You can read the label and see what the manufacturer says, but agave have some shallow ... | |
| agave | 5/25/2010 |
| Q: i just bought an agave for a particular location. it is in a plastic pot from nursery, measuring 16" ... A: It's really up to you. They love sun and their roots will spread out so you'd probably be OK with ... | |
| agave | 5/24/2010 |
| Q: i just bought an agave for a particular location. it is in a plastic pot from nursery, measuring 16" ... A: The plant shouldn't be planted any deeper than the pot it comes in, so 12" would have been fine. ... | |
| tall cactus black on top | 5/24/2010 |
| Q: I have a 10 year old cactus, tall, no arms or legs...just tall with little stickers. I have ... A: It sounds like rot, Jill. The only way to get rid of it is to cut it off. Take a sterilized knife, ... | |
| Need Identity of this 'cactus type' plant | 5/21/2010 |
| Q: I visited a new friend and they have this plant that blooms constantly. They tell me it is from the ... A: It is a Euphorbia Milli. Looks like a hybrid with larger flowers and leaves. It isn't a cactus, it ... | |
| barrel cactus slowly rotting | 5/15/2010 |
| Q: I bought a barrel cactus last year about October, and when i brought it home, i transplanted it ... A: Sorry to say, but if that cactus is rotting at the base and you can see the rot then the roots are ... | |
| cactus, lots of cactus | 5/15/2010 |
| Q: I have inherited a cactus collection of about 500 cactus. 10 - 15 percent larger sized, 50 percent ... A: Dear Barbara, Wow. That's either a blessing or curse. This is what I'd do. I would throw out any ... | |
| cactus | 5/14/2010 |
| Q: hi there not as if i no much about plants but i have some type of cactus growing in my back garden ... A: No, that is not true. Cactus grow outside in all but two states. I suspect you have an Opuntia - ... | |
| cactus | 5/11/2010 |
| Q: I have a old cactus that has three different uprights. There is one that is the tallest and has a ... A: Your question is not entire clear to me but is it the new growth you want to cut off? If so, with a ... | |
| Saguaro cactus | 5/11/2010 |
| Q: my Saguaro is oozing black tar like substance A: That's not good. It usually indicates rot. What part of the plant is it oozing from? I ask for ... | |
| cactus: disease removal and transplant | 5/10/2010 |
| Q: I've attached a picture of my column-type cactus. It has obviously outgrown it's container and the ... A: It doesn't seem that men's definition of care is somewhat different from mine. worse comes to ... | |
| Growing cacti beyond 1/2 cm. | 5/7/2010 |
| Q: I am growing cacti from seeds. can they be put in direct sunlight? there are conflicting sets of ... A: In part, it depends on where you live. In the Southwest, for example direct sun will kill tender ... | |
| cactus: disease removal and transplant | 5/7/2010 |
| Q: I've attached a picture of my column-type cactus. It has obviously outgrown it's container and the ... A: Wow! I'm surprised your Pilosocereus Azureus hasn't toppled over already. There are a couple of ... | |
| cactus: disease removal and transplant | 5/6/2010 |
| Q: I've attached a picture of my column-type cactus. It has obviously outgrown it's container and the ... A: It doesn't look like the typical disease I anticipated. Are the tan sections mushy and/0r hollow ... | |
| aleo vera plant | 5/5/2010 |
| Q: I have a large aloe vera plant,I've had it for a few years,now all the sudden it has 3 large shoots ... A: Maybe you're just lucky. While aloe vera seldom produce flowers when grown as houseplants, they can ... | |
| ocotillo flower | 5/2/2010 |
| Q: I got a ocotillo from a nursery in Arizona . They told me I could trim the ends of plant if they ... A: Yes, I do think it will produce flowers again. Take care of it the way the nursery told you to do. ... | |
| Dying Air Plant (Tillandsia) | 4/30/2010 |
| Q: I recently bought a little Air Plant, and everything was going fine until I left it home alone for ... A: A weekend shouldn't have made a huge difference if you've been caring for it properly, and in the ... | |
| tall cactus | 4/30/2010 |
| Q: I have a cactus that belonged to my mother in law before she passed it is growing tall and wants to ... A: I suspect you've been unable to get a photo, so let me give you some information. For a columnar ... | |
| Aloe Vera | 4/28/2010 |
| Q: From the attached pic(s) can you identify what is wrong with the plants? ... A: It looks like your plant has rust. Although not usually fatal, rust spots will discolor the leaves ... | |
| Aloe Vera | 4/28/2010 |
| Q: From the attached pic(s) can you identify what is wrong with the plants? A: I can't tell from this one picture. You can only send one picture at a time so if you have more ... | |
| Giant Yucca | 4/27/2010 |
| Q: Iave two Giant Yuccas in pots in doors. I've had then for nearly two years in their original pots. ... A: Do you have a picture? An have you recently unpotted your plants? Do you get a lot of rain, cold? ... | |
| fallen saguaro cactus | 4/26/2010 |
| Q: Recently with the winds I've had a 15'-20' saguaro cactus fall in my backyard and I need to have it ... A: Saguaros are protected so you need a permit to remove or relocate them. I believe the company you ... | |
| black spots on cactus | 4/25/2010 |
| Q: There are these huge spots on my cactus. I have been cutting these leaves off because I thought they ... A: I does look like a fungal infection which is an unusual primary rot in cacti other than Epiphytes. ... | |
| Saguaro slice planting | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: I have a cut-up baja saguaro plant and am wanting to plant the top "crown" which is about 2 feet ... A: Yes, wait until it is completely calloused, however long that takes. You can root it directly in ... | |
| ocotillo cactus | 4/23/2010 |
| Q: I live in MN and recently had a friend bring me an ocotillo from AZ because I love them. It is ... A: Ocotillos shed their leaves to conserve water in the hottest months in the desert. In the case of ... | |
| Moon Cactus | 4/22/2010 |
| Q: My young daughter purchased a cactus about a year ago. It came with a tag listing it as a ... A: Yes, I agree that the base is a hylocactus. Moon cactus cannot live on their own as they have no ... | |
| My cactus.... | 4/21/2010 |
| Q: . I am hoping you can give me an answer to my question,since I have been searching for an answer for ... A: This is classic etiolation which is defined as "Pale, sickly, excessive growth caused by ... | |
| Milky Substance on Christmas Cactus | 4/18/2010 |
| Q: I have a Christmas Cactus that belonged to my grandmother who died 21 years ago. Some time ago it ... A: Definitely mealy bugs. Rats. Mealybugs are the most tenacious of cacti pests. Not only are they a ... | |
| obtain color red from cactus plant | 4/14/2010 |
| Q: from what kind of cactus plant is extracted the color red A: The only way I know that red dye is extracted form cacti is from an infestation of the Cochineal ... | |
| Milky Substance on Christmas Cactus | 4/13/2010 |
| Q: I have a Christmas Cactus that belonged to my grandmother who died 21 years ago. Some time ago it ... A: This kind of cactus doesn't normally seep a white milky substance, tho they can secrete some sap ... | |
| Golden Barrel Arms | 4/11/2010 |
| Q: I have a well established potted Golden Barrel that has 3 arms or baby goldens on it's east side, ... A: Yes, there is truth to that. It will not hurt the mother plant and if you are worried do one at a ... | |
| How to care for my cactus | 4/10/2010 |
| Q: I bought a cactus from a hardware store yesterday and it seemed to be the healthiest one there. It ... A: You're first cactus, that great! And you're sure it's a cactus? The reason I ask is because all ... | |
| Ants | 4/9/2010 |
| Q: I have been told they are called arriera ants...could be arrieta as I did some research. They seem ... A: Found and interesting site for fire ants another name for you arriera ants, which is a generic for ... | |
| Crown of Thorns | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: I was given a crown of thorns plant. It is planted in a glass contain of sand. I have watered it ... A: Take it out of that glass!!! Succulents need good drainage so put it in a pot with a good sized ... | |
| pachypodium | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: my pachypodium is dying!!! it got really cold than it got really wet. i cut off all the moldy ... A: Where did you have the plant? I don't know if you can save it. It would help to have a picture and ... | |
| Organ cactus as a host tree | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: I live in a small village outside of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. There is a beautiful organ ... A: Wow. It looks like the branch on the left is just about dead. You might consider cutting it down ... | |
| Mother of thousands plant fungus? | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: I have noticed on my mother of thousands plant a brown slick somthing on the leaves and the stem of ... A: Do you have a picture? For now ,if it's not too extensive, spray it with alcohol and water and if ... | |
| saguaro cactus | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: have a Saguaro cactus that is about 30 ft. tall. My problem is it is leaning very bad and I am ... A: This isn't a problem you can take care of yourself. The cactus is just too large and it is too ... | |
| Golden Barrel Pups | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: I have a golden barrel cactus that is at least 14" tall and has a complete ring of pups. I would ... A: To remove them take a sharp knife sterilized with alcohol and cut them off. They may have some ... | |
| cracked cactus | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: we have a pseudopilocereus cactus that a friend gave us. it was transported to indiana from arizona. ... A: My bias would be to cut it off. The danger of rot with a break that extensive is significant. You ... | |
| Ocotillo - no leaves | 4/5/2010 |
| Q: Had ocotillo planted July, 2009. I sprayed it every 5 days as instructed. Not on drip system. ... A: I am assuming this is a young plant. Ocotillos can produce flowers without leaves and it's great ... | |
| Barrel Cactus yellowing and deflating | 4/5/2010 |
| Q: I have 3 large barrel cacti which have been living contentedly in my flat for 2 years. Recently I ... A: It does sound like desiccation and having pot bound plants.. Under watering can kill cactus as ... | |
| Organ cactus as a host tree | 4/4/2010 |
| Q: I live in a small village outside of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. There is a beautiful organ ... A: I would attach it with filament line. If it's an orchid, you need to do it when the orchid has new ... | |
| TOTEM POLE CACTUS | 4/4/2010 |
| Q: I recently took several cuttings from totem pole cactus that I wish to replant at a new home. They ... A: Depending on when you planted them I'd wait at least a month and then just gently give the plant a ... | |
| Organ cactus as a host tree | 3/31/2010 |
| Q: I live in a small village outside of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. There is a beautiful organ ... A: My understanding is that you want to cover up the scarred parts of the cactus? I would think that ... | |
| euphorbia erytrea | 3/30/2010 |
| Q: i have had a euphorbia erytrea for a yr and it has been doing fine- grown about 2-3 inches. it is a ... A: For whatever reason, it sounds like your plant has rot. I doubt the sickness was sudden. Fungus ... | |
| Aloe vera | 3/26/2010 |
| Q: When trying to root aloe vera how much soil to use and how much light thank you A: I am assuming that you are trying to root a leaf? They are more easily propagated by pups, but if ... | |
| Gymnocalycium Baldianum | 3/5/2010 |
| Q: I don't know what this is, could you tell me whether this is normal or not and if I have done ... A: It sounds like you may have mealy bugs. If there aren't a ton of the white cotton like areas, take ... | |
| Cactus problem | 3/4/2010 |
| Q: i live in south florida. Many of my barrel and small round cactus have problems. It starts with a ... A: Sorry I've been so slow in responding. I have been looking at lots of pictures and reading and ... | |
| Leaning & Rotting Cactus | 3/3/2010 |
| Q: I have a cactus(not sure of the exact type), but within the last two years it started to grow arms. ... A: Your cactus has rot. It is a bacterial and/or fungal infection that cacti are susceptible to usually ... | |
| Cactus Problem | 3/2/2010 |
| Q: My cactus has had a slight indentation on one side for the past year or so. We had a very bad ... A: Yes, just sitting out (inside) in partial shade. You can leave it on it's side. Some folks use ... | |
| Cactus Problem | 3/1/2010 |
| Q: My cactus has had a slight indentation on one side for the past year or so. We had a very bad ... A: It appears that the bottom is rotting. The discoloration and softness would support this. There is ... | |
| Aloe Vera Plants | 2/28/2010 |
| Q: I have a very tall aloe vera grown indoors it is becoming to heavy and falling over is there a safe ... A: Your best bet is to cut most of the stalk off, remove the lower leaves so that there is about a 4-5 ... | |
| Cactus problem | 2/27/2010 |
| Q: i live in south florida. Many of my barrel and small round cactus have problems. It starts with a ... A: When your cactus develops the tan exterior does the cactus die? When you pulled the plant out of ... | |
| Cactus Problem | 2/27/2010 |
| Q: My cactus has had a slight indentation on one side for the past year or so. We had a very bad ... A: Do you have a picture? I'm not sure what you mean by an indentation. Is the area soft, discolored? ... | |
| Pachycereus Marginatus | 2/16/2010 |
| Q: I have had this cactus since 2002.I got it as a cutting,it was almost 7 feet tall.It was in its ... A: It sounds like you have a great set up and I don't think you should blame yourself. You've had the ... | |
| Pachycereus Marginatus | 2/15/2010 |
| Q: I have had this cactus since 2002.I got it as a cutting,it was almost 7 feet tall.It was in its ... A: Are you saying the bottom half developed rot? Where was it injured in the move? Rot usually ... | |
| moldy cactus | 2/13/2010 |
| Q: I recently left my cactus in the bathroom for a few weeks. It has now gone soft and moldy and I ... A: I also think it is dying. Excessive moisture especially when a cactus is dormant will most ... | |
| TOTEM POLE CACTUS | 2/12/2010 |
| Q: I recently took several cuttings from totem pole cactus that I wish to replant at a new home. They ... A: Sorry of the delay in my response. I wanted another opinion. Here's the consensus. Allow them to ... | |
| Sick Mother In Law's Tongue Plant | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: I've had my mother in law's tongue plant for about 6 years and i'm worried it might die. I've read ... A: No worries about the essay, it seems that there is more than one thing going on and it is confusing. ... | |
| aloe vera rerooting | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: I notice that my aloe plant was leaning to the side.I went to sat it up and it is not root bound in ... A: Can you clarify a couple of things for me? Do you mean there are no roots or that the roots aren't ... | |
| new growth | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: I have an Easter cactus that I replanted in the fall. It now is growing sticks, there are no buds ... A: The spikes are weak winter growth and you should cut them off at the base. They will never develop ... | |
| Christmas catus potting soil | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: I have a friend that has a Christmas Cactus and wants nothing but Arizona cactus potting soil he ... A: I don't know where to purchase Arizona fertilizer. What are you using now? If your plant is ... | |
| How to make a cactus have branches (bushier) | 2/7/2010 |
| Q: We have had this cactus for 3 or 4 years. It has grown from 1' tall to more than 5' tall, as a ... A: some columnar cacti don't branch, you have to love them like they are. To slow growth you can put ... | |
| new growth | 2/7/2010 |
| Q: I have an Easter cactus that I replanted in the fall. It now is growing sticks, there are no buds ... A: The picture is dark (but thanks for it anyway). Are you sure that there's not another plant growing ... | |
| Aloe Vera plant | 2/6/2010 |
| Q: I have several large aloe vera plants outside around my pond, and I live here in san antonio. It has ... A: Aloe Vera aren't cold hardy succulents so I suspect those leaves are dead.. If the leaves are soft ... | |
| Argentine cactus | 2/5/2010 |
| Q: I see some answers contain suggestions of replanting arms or cuttings from Argentine cactus, but ... A: I am assuming that you have one of the Stetsonias which are quite large and branching and grown ... | |
| Christmas catus potting soil | 2/4/2010 |
| Q: I have a friend that has a Christmas Cactus and wants nothing but Arizona cactus potting soil he ... A: Sorry this has taken me awhile to answer. I have talked with, emailed a number of folks from ... | |
| Cowboy cactus going brown at sides - please help him! | 2/3/2010 |
| Q: UK. I really hope you can help - I have just noticed that my large 'cowboy cactus' has been turning ... A: Go for it, Julia. What is the diameter of the base? I would just suggest you take an arm and root ... | |
| Cowboy cactus going brown at sides - please help him! | 1/31/2010 |
| Q: UK. I really hope you can help - I have just noticed that my large 'cowboy cactus' has been turning ... A: So the brown isn't hardening up? Rats. Get the rooting powder. You don't have to wet it, you're ... | |
| Cactus identification | 1/30/2010 |
| Q: What is the genus spacies of this cactus? This is my friends plant that she recieved from a hort ... A: It is very hard to identify a cactus as there are about 14,000 species in the family Cactacae.I ... | |
| Repoting a very large cactus | 1/28/2010 |
| Q: I have a very large cactus, that is literally leaning on the wall! I need to repot it...today! It ... A: That's quite an amazing plant. It's not a cactus. It's a Euphorbia tetragona. I'm only tell you ... | |
| Saguaro cactus | 1/28/2010 |
| Q: I purchased a large (about 17foot) saguaro from a local nursery here in Tucson about a year ago and ... A: Is that area softer than the rest of the cactus feel weaker? That would tell me there's a problem, ... | |
| Cactus | 1/27/2010 |
| Q: I have another question. Firstly I have enclosed more photos, close ups so you can see the top of ... A: If you sent more then one picture I found out that AllExperts only lets one go through. Very ... | |
| Sick cactus | 1/27/2010 |
| Q: Cactus is discoloring at base. turning a moldy black charcoal color. Plant is 6' tall. See photo. ... A: Iit'a iffy but definitely worth a shot. Definitely don't leave them in that soil. Throw that soil ... | |
| overgrown aloe vera | 1/26/2010 |
| Q: I have an over grown aloe vera plant (see attached picture). It's in a 12" pot. As you can see, it ... A: You could cut off the lower leaves of the mother plant, dust them and wait for them to callous and ... | |
| Sick cactus | 1/26/2010 |
| Q: Cactus is discoloring at base. turning a moldy black charcoal color. Plant is 6' tall. See photo. ... A: The picture is a bit fuzzy but it does look like your plant has sever rot. It is, I believe, a ... | |
| What kind of cactus is this? | 1/26/2010 |
| Q: My mother recently passed away and I'm caring for one of her cactus plants. I'd like to know what ... A: You are absolutely right. It was driving me crazy because I once had a a Cereus tetragonus and they ... | |
| overgrown aloe vera | 1/25/2010 |
| Q: I have an over grown aloe vera plant (see attached picture). It's in a 12" pot. As you can see, it ... A: There are a few choices. You could leave it as is. That's not what I'd do. First, I bet it's been ... | |
| Organ Pipe Cactus | 1/25/2010 |
| Q: I'm about to drive out to Yuma,AZ from Tucson,AZ to help my Mimi fix her cactus. Her and my ... A: My best recommendation is to find an expert in replanting these large cacti. It can be dangerous to ... | |
| What kind of cactus is this? | 1/24/2010 |
| Q: My mother recently passed away and I'm caring for one of her cactus plants. I'd like to know what ... A: I's so sorry about your mother's death and hope you are coping as best as you can. First, I'm not ... | |
| Dead Cactus. | 1/23/2010 |
| Q: I really hope you can help me. I have had my cactus for about two years now and it has been fine ... A: First, that's not a cactus, it's a succulent, I believe a Euphorbia. The spines aren't cactus ... | |
| the top of my cactus froze | 1/23/2010 |
| Q: I have a cactus that is just a tall skinny plant- diameter about 3" and about 2 ' tall. I forgot ... A: With a sterilized knife, cut the top off until you see an infrastructure without any black, orange, ... | |
| saguaro cactus | 1/22/2010 |
| Q: i have a 12' saguaro in a pot on my back porch. i live in texas and it recently froze here for about ... A: I suggest you cut that part off with a sterilized knife. It most dying and can spread disease down ... | |
| Cowboy cactus going brown at sides - please help him! | 1/21/2010 |
| Q: UK. I really hope you can help - I have just noticed that my large 'cowboy cactus' has been turning ... A: I love the UK. This plant is not a cactus despite it's name. It is Euphorbia ingens - a succulent ... | |
| rootbound Mexican fence cactus | 1/21/2010 |
| Q: I have a Mexican fence cactus that is about 20 years old. I cut the tops several times and potted ... A: Cactus like to be root bound but more importantly when's the last time you changed the soil? If ... | |
| potted saguaro giving up on life | 1/20/2010 |
| Q: Our potted saguaro has gone from the size of a golfball to about 2.5 inches diameter x 8 inches in ... A: It can take months to years before one can tell that a cactus has died. It can look perfectly ... | |
| damaged cacti | 1/19/2010 |
| Q: today my girlfriends little sister and her ferret somehow got into her room and scratched and bit at ... A: Ah, children and pets! If available, get some fungicide powder and dust the open areas, water ... | |
| moving a potted Saguaro | 1/18/2010 |
| Q: I have a 42" tall Saguaro in a 17" tall pot. It's on a second story deck in my sunroom. I'm moving ... A: Courage! I would think that even without a crate you could stabilize it by staking and/or wrap the ... | |
| Fence Post Cactus | 1/18/2010 |
| Q: We have three sets of Mexican Fence Post Cactus planted in a new landscape design. Our lot is at ... A: I believe you have Pachycereus marginatus which are a tad more sensitive to frost cold, tho from ... | |
| Zygo Cactus | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: We have a Zygo cactus that is about 30 years old. We would like to transplant it. But not sure how ... A: I'm sorry, I did answer this question, don't know why it didn't go through. I wouldn't transplant ... | |
| Peruvian Apple Cactus | 1/13/2010 |
| Q: ..I live in Austin Texas, I have a Peruvian Apple cactus that I planted about 2 years ago, and it ... A: Get out your saw and sterilize it. Sterilize it for every new cut as well. The yellow you are ... | |
| Damage to Euphorbia | 1/12/2010 |
| Q: In Houston we just recently had freezing temps. I have two large Euphorbias which were not covered ... A: That is heart breaking. Euphorbia are cold hardy up to a point but don't tolerate freezing. The ... | |
| help with Cactus | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: I hope you can help me I have a Cactus in my Loungeroom that is about 6 foot hight from the base of ... A: Good for you for cutting off that diseased part. I'd separate the the plants into two pots. make ... | |
| top heavy cactus | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: my cactus is a trichocereus camarquensis and it only seems to be growing at the top which is making ... A: Sorry I am so slow in answering. I ma not very familiar with is cactus but believe some are grown ... | |
| Cactus/Succulent is turning black and soft | 1/9/2010 |
| Q: My girlfriend bought me a cactus or succulent plant during the summer. It has a variety of plants, ... A: Your cactus has rot and and beyond saving. The rot is coming from the bottom so the roots are ... | |
| broken cactus or euphorbia | 1/9/2010 |
| Q: I have a cactus or maybe an euphorbia, yesterday she fell off the table and 2 of her arms were ... A: It does sound like a Euphorbia because of the milky substance - which can be an irritant to your ... | |
| aloe plant | 1/8/2010 |
| Q: I have an aloe plant that has grown very rapidly. The plant needs to be repotted. The plant is so ... A: What you have hanging over the side is a very large pup. Take the plant out of it's pot and have ... | |
| Aloe Ferox, Aloe Striata, Barrel cactus | 1/8/2010 |
| Q: I live in Berkeley, ca. I was wondering if I could plant my potted Aloes (big Ferox, Striata, ... A: I'm not all that familiar with your climate but as long as there isn't a freeze or frost I think you ... | |
| replanting aloe vera | 1/8/2010 |
| Q: I bought a huge aloe plant from home depot a few months ago and it had 3 huge plants in it. tonight ... A: It looks like you did a good job repotting and separating the plants Keep them in a sunny window ... | |
| frozen cacti | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: i have been growing cacti for years, im not particularly botanical about my endeavors, more trial ... A: This is what I'd do. Because the tops have rot it will spread if you don't do something about it, ... | |
| Peruvian Apple | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: I just took some cuttings of a very large plant scheduled to be destroyed by the owner and am ... A: Cerus repandus cuttings should be allowed to callous from 1-3 weeks depending on how large the ... | |
| Aloe | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: My Aloe broke at the very base of the plant it's about 2 1/2 feet can I save this plant maybe got to ... A: If the base has leaves it may regenerate. I'd put it in a smaller pot and trim some of the roots. ... | |
| Candelabra Cactus | 1/4/2010 |
| Q: I have had a Candelabra Cactus for about 15 yrs now...he's about 6 ft tall and he's starting to ... A: Do you have a picture of the part of the plant that is shriveling a getting lighter? A candelabra is ... | |
| Tip of Cactus turning blue. | 1/3/2010 |
| Q: I've had the cactus for over 10 years and it's been growing nicely. It has been in the same place & ... A: If it is soft and turning black I'd cut it off. You can cut about an inch below the rotting part ... | |
| Tip of Cactus turning blue. | 1/2/2010 |
| Q: I've had the cactus for over 10 years and it's been growing nicely. It has been in the same place & ... A: I'm not sure why it is getting blue tips. Cacti are dormant in the winter and shouldn't be watered ... | |
| Aloe Vera Cactus | 1/2/2010 |
| Q: I've had an aloe plant for a couple of months and it's beginning to turn yellow on its tips. It's ... A: It's most likely due to overwatering AND fertilizing. Aloe Vera tend to go dormant in the winter ... | |
Maureen
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions regarding the care and propagation of cactus and succulents and would actually group these together as folks often mistake one for the other and often their care is quite different. I also have a cold hardy cactus and succulent garden that has been quite successful. The subject in regard to classification of type is enormous and I wouldn't be able to answer all questions by any means. It is really IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE A PHOTO if at all possible and LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU ARE FROM, especially in terms of climate.
Experience
I have learned by reading books, by trial and error and by consulting with folks with much more knowledge. I have primarily grown C&S for the last 20 years.
Organizations
Cactus and Succulent Society of Massachusetts.
Education/Credentials
No formal training. See experience.
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