anyone know what this plant is?

Spekky · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:11 am Post subject: anyone know what this plant is?

Hi.
I just bought these two cacti from our local market. Can someone please help me identify them.

The first one is about 3 foot tall and the second one is about 30inches tall.
Thanks

Spekky.

Gotta love markets for finding great plants!!!!!

rainbowgardener · Mod Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 6147 Location: Ohio, USA

Very cool! I don't know, but maybe this will help?

http://cactiguide.com/habitsearch/

a0c8c · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:16 am Post subject:

Not sure on the first one, but the second looks like one I've got. It's in a pot with a prickly pear and came up when I wasn't paying much attention to it. It's gonna be a flat leaf cacti similar to a prickly pear if not prickly pear. Either that, or I've got some random cacti growing up in a pot that had no cacti seeds!
_________________
Home Gardener from Gonzales, Texas; by way of Austin; by way of Iowa.

catasetum-ian · New Member Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 7 Location: malaysia

the first one belongs to the echinocereus genus if i am not mistaken, for the second photo, sorry can't help much

GermanStar · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:43 pm Post subject:

The tall one is a Cereus or Cereus-like cactus (tall, thin, likes more water than some), the second is an Asparagus Cactus (Opuntia Subulata). They're gorgeous when young, not so gorgeous as they grow, and absolutely wicked when mature (nasty 3" barbed spikes) Unfortunately, they're fast growers, and lose the attractive green appendages pretty quickly.

Kisal · Mod Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: Oregon

I've been wondering what the name of that cactus was ... the Opuntia subulata. I've had one for going on 6 years now, and there isn't any sign of notable thorns. It fills an 8" pot. All the thorn-like growths are soft. How long do they take to mature under container culture? Question

_________________
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

GermanStar · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:30 pm Post subject:

Dunno, never tried to grow a cactus in a container. My guess is it's stunted in the pot and won't mature, which is probably a good thing. I used to have an Asparagus Cactus in my yard, though. In about three years time, it went from a little tyke like yours to 4' tall and 6' around. More than once I recall reaching for some pliers to pull 3" needles out of the mouth of one of my pups. Can't believe he was dumb enough to try that trick more than once.

Kisal · Mod Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: Oregon

GermanStar · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:17 pm Post subject:

Here's a pic of a more mature plant.

Kisal · Mod Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: Oregon

I was wondering whether it was the same plant as Austrocylindropuntia subulata, but I wasn't sure. Your picture shows that it is. Here's a pic of my little 'miniature' version:

_________________
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

GermanStar · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:58 pm Post subject:

Right you are. The two names are synonymous, with Opuntia deferring to Austrocylindropuntia. Here's a shot of a young plant, no more than a year old. Look at the needles! They're barbed, just touch one and it will leave the plant to stick in your skin.

Kisal · Mod Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: Oregon

I plan to move mine up to a larger pot later this summer. I hope it doesn't suddenly start to develop those thorns! Shocked

Do you ever find seeds from interesting cacti? I'd love to expand my collection by starting a few from seeds, but I haven't seen any available in my area. Certainly nothing beyond the usual "Bunny Ears" Opuntia and unidentified ... or worse yet, misidentified ... Mammillaria. Those seem to be about all that are sold around here. (I suppose I should look online. Laughing

)

Years ago, there was a wonderful shop in my city. They sold only cacti, and the selection was a delight. They had an outstanding collection of containers, as well. I loved that place! Unfortunately, they went out of business. Sad

_________________
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

GermanStar · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:03 pm Post subject:

Seeds are likely more readily available in your area than mine. Here, we just lop off a hunk of most cactus and stick it in the ground and ouala -- new cactus! Likewise, you can cut a couple of pieces off of yours and root 'em -- just be sure to dry them out for 3-5 days before potting. It isn't 100%, but my experience is that roughly 2 out of 3 will successfully root.

Kisal · Mod Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: Oregon

Yes, I've done a lot of vegatative propagation of cacti, and other plants, as well. I hope to start some cuttings from some of my rhodies and azaleas one of these years. I had that project planned for this year, but a broken shoulder ... and the subsequent total shoulder replacement ... changed my plans. Rolling Eyes

_________________
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams