Pretty much a hopeless ID request...

10 years ago

Mom dropped off a bag of Cacti again. This time there are supposedly two types and one may be from Africa she says.

All I know is that some do look slightly darker and have a higher density of thorn eyes (thats what I'm going with) but that could just be because they are newer growths.

One thing thats different than the Opuntia she gave me a bit back ( http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cacti/msg0808383932154.html), is that one or perhaps both of these have very irritating thorns. They aren't thorns but more like extremely irritating sharp hairs, kinda like fiberglass actually.

Anyway, I put them in water in a window like I always do to get them to root. I only put them in water last night and already today here's what I see.

Pretty nuts!

Here's some other pics, I can take more of anything that may help ID them but im pretty sure a bloom will be in order.

Comments (5)

wantonamara Z8 CenTex
10 years ago
Both are opuntias. Neither originally from Africa since all cactus and all opuntias are from the western Hemisphere.I think that the first larger one is the O. cochenellifera again. and the second one smaller darker with the denser aerioles, I don't know.

I would take them out of the water, and let them callus for several days, and then put them in soil and mist them till you feel resistance when they are gently tuggged. You were lucky the last time that they rooted in water. Usually they rot. when handled like that. It looks like your roots are starting and that is amazing but you rot can as quickly get started too.
rosemariero
10 years ago
They might be Consolea falcata. The small pokies like fiberglass are probably glochids. Many a cuss word comes from contact with those devils!! Have duct tape on hand to try to get them off/out of you.
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Brandon Smith
Original Author
10 years ago
I should have let everyone know that the pieces of cacti were nicely calloussed when I got them and even set another week and a half before I had got around to messing with them.

Is there a certian soil mix that is better for these types of Cacti or will the normal gritty/grittyish mix suffice?

As an aside, I have been seriously considering one of these Bonsai substrates just to alleviate the hassle entailed with producing my own mix.

http://www.stonelantern.com/Professional_Grade_Standard_Mix_Bonsai_Soil_p/sp3.5g.htm

http://www.stonelantern.com/Master_Grade_Shohin_Bonsai_Soil_2_pt2_gal_p/ss2.2g.htm

I think the Pro grade standard mix would better suit our needs.
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
10 years ago
When you're rooting them, particularly if you're just misting them (don't root them in water for the reasons stated and also because that's not how these root best) daily or every other day, just an inch or two of soil in a pot, with the pads slightly inserted into the soil and supported by rocks/gravel/chop sticks and poultry string, in strongish indirect or some direct light, warmth, and you'll soon have these rooted in less than a month.Leave them there or pot them up a little and put them outside in spring in an appropriately sized pot. They'll grow gangbusters. Opuntias as a rule will grow in about anything - they don't need no stinkin' bonsai mix.
Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
10 years ago
I agree with Jeff, I have had some paddles fall off mine and layed in the sun and dried almost to death, then thru in some hard dirt and it sprung back to life and bloomed the next season. I like the hardy ones the best. No fussing to bring in.