Just picked up a few tiny cacti, so I thought I would share the pics:

Epithelantha bokei

Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus

Turbinicarpus valdezianus

Any insider tips on raising these guys is appreciated.

T

The mini-Turbi's grow slowly, but flowering is much trickier with this species. Many of the small, cryptic Mamms and the Turbi pseudopectinatus/ valdezianus fall into the same cultural regime: in habitat they are found in very shallow but rich soils, and are exposed to heavy thunderstorms in late summer into the fall. It is those late season rains that help stimulate and sustain flower bud formation. For us in the north, it is difficult to provide enough strong light in the late fall to promote flower buds.

x

So, I have had these guys for about three months now and have kept them pretty dry (maybe watered them about three times over that time period). I wanted to make sure they are okay - I am a little concerned.

They look a bit flatter than when I first got them (normal?) and one of my turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus has a very flat section around its base (rot or normal?) that I found when I moved some of the soil aside at the base.

Assuming I haven't killed them yet, should I be doing something differently? They are under a bright MH light with other cacti and sux, temps in low 50s at night and 66 - 70 daytime.

How do I know when to start watering them more regularly?

My T. Valdezianus just look flat...

Any advice?

Thanks.

Tom

i don't know much about cacti(recently they've begun to scare and confuse me) but there seems to be some browning/yellowing in the second batch of pics that wasn't there in the first. That isn't a good sign?

I just took a look at mine below the surface, and the body just continues evenly into the taproot. But then again, they were not recently transplanted so they wouldn't be showing signs of water loss.

A rotting cactus is very mushy and soft at the base. The body just comes apart when you push at it. To me, your plant looks dessicated and should return to normal once it gets warm again.

x

I can put them on a heat mat at night, daytime it would be tough because they are under lights. Do you think I should water them more frequently? How will I know when to increase the frequency?

I will put them on the mat right now...

Thanks.

Tom

The couple of cacti I do have I water about every 3-4wks, just enough to keep them from desiccating.

Wait for clearly visible new growth, then you can water deeply. A few weeks of heat may be enough to get them started. Water very carefully in the meantime. A drought won't kill them, they are adapted to it.

x

BTW, X, how often do you water yours and under what current conditions?

Thanks.

T

Ariocarpus, some of the dwarf Mamms, and some Turbi species will get an extra deep watering late in the year.

x

I hope you keep us all posted on your progress :o)

-Nicole

I found these guys at miles2go.com. Great nursery.

T