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TheHerbalColorado
Center of the donut.


Registered: 10/21/13
Posts: 108
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 4 months, 21 days
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Cactus Q's, some experienced help needed.
#19102196 - 11/07/13 06:43 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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So I’m preparing myself to get in to the cacti world and I think some sage wisdom would go far in helping me decide on which species I should begin with and giving me the knowledge I need to do this right the first time.
The three species I’m considering: Trichocereus peruvianus Grows a bit thicker than T. pachanoi, with larger spines as well. Alkaloid levels supposedly highest for the genus? Native to about 6-9000’, similar to where I live.
Trichocereus pachanoi Sends off multiple branches unlike T. peruvianus. Native to high mountains of Ecuador and Peru. Smallest spines of the three.
Trichocereus bridgesii Slower grower of the three, and will not be as tall when mature.
From what I understand Once I obtain my cuttings, I am going to want to let them callous over. Then I plant the in a medium with about 50% drainage material and with little nitrogen content. I mist the soil whenever it becomes more or less totally dry, and in about 6 months, roots should have formed.
What I want to know If I order my cuttings now, they will be starting inside over winter in a windowsill. I have the resources to keep the growing medium heated if need be. Will this be ok? Should I bother heating the medium?
The cuttings I have my eye on are 12 inches long. Should I let each of these 12” pieces form their own roots or halve them into 6” pieces and then let these smaller pieces develop roots?
In your experience, what is the best mix of soil types for cactus? Do I really need to buy ‘cactus soil’, or can I make my own?
What size of pots should I grow my cacti in?
I’ve heard of something called the long method that plants the cutting laterally and forms several new cacti that grow upwards out of the original cutting. Is this something I should consider? What’s the timeframe for sending graftable sized shoots up with this method?
Thanks for helping me out. I can't wait to get started.
-------------------- If you get to old to cut the mustard, lick the jar.
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Tangich


Registered: 10/28/09
Posts: 8,723
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Quote:
TheHerbalColorado said: Trichocereus bridgesii Slower grower of the three, and will not be as tall when mature.
Couple of bridgesii clones and hybrids I have are by far the fastest growing Trichocereus in my collection. Maybe not in mass, I didn't measure that, but in height definitely. If you want to start with cuttings, then bridgesii is pretty much your only option. T. pachanoi cuttings going around are almost exclusively PC clones, and T. cuzcoensis cuttings are sold under T. peruvianus. Both are nice plants, but not if you're interested in alkaloid content. Depending on where in the world you are, you might be able to get cuttings from named clones. But most of the vendors in the northern hemisphere will be selling generic clones. I'd suggest you buy a couple of bridgessii cuttings, read a lot in the meantime, and when you get the hang of it, buy some seeds, there are some amazing hybrids going around. When you get the cuttings, cut them into 6 inch pieces, let callous, and burry them halfway into bentonite clay granules (kitty liter) to get roots. Keep completely dry over the winter, the in the spring transfer them to a rich substrate with good drainage, everyone has their own 'recipe'.
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nicechrisman
Interdimensional space wizard



Registered: 11/07/03
Posts: 33,241
Last seen: 4 years, 6 months
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In general, I'd say go with bridgesii. Many of the pachanoi and peruvianus clones going around (at least here in the states) are kinda bunk. Not to say there aren't good ones, but bridgesii is much more reliable. Just watch out for those spines.
-------------------- "Cosmic Love is absolutelely ruthless and highly indifferent: it teaches its lessons whether you like/dislike them or not." John C. Lily
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TheHerbalColorado
Center of the donut.


Registered: 10/21/13
Posts: 108
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 4 months, 21 days
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Re: Cactus Q's, some experienced help needed. [Re: Tangich]
#19104241 - 11/08/13 07:34 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Tanks for the advice guys.
Quote:
Tangich said:
Quote:
When you get the cuttings, cut them into 6 inch pieces, let callous, and burry them halfway into bentonite clay granules (kitty liter) to get roots. Keep completely dry over the winter, the in the spring transfer them to a rich substrate with good drainage, everyone has their own 'recipe'.
Just straight kitty litter? And will the roots form over winter or will this method just preserve the callous until spring?
-------------------- If you get to old to cut the mustard, lick the jar.
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Tangich


Registered: 10/28/09
Posts: 8,723
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Yup, straight kitty litter. Just make sure it isn't perfumed or coloured, but plain bentonite clay. It is a very good medium for rooting cacti, only thing you must never do is get it wet, because it'll melt. When the root buds form, then you can transfer it to a suitable dry substrate and mist lightly after 2 weeks.
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Tangich


Registered: 10/28/09
Posts: 8,723
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Quote:
TheHerbalColorado said: Alkaloid levels supposedly highest for the genus?
I haven't even seen this before. This is likely incorrect. Rumors were going around that it's 10X the potency of san pedro, but that was just vendor misinformation. Tests done in recent years found that various T. pachanoi clones have by far the highest M content. This however doesn't apply to the 'PC clone', the most common one going around. Seed grown T. pachanoi, or a good bridgesii/pachanoi hybrid would probably have higher alkaloid content than most T. peruvianus.
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nicechrisman
Interdimensional space wizard



Registered: 11/07/03
Posts: 33,241
Last seen: 4 years, 6 months
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Re: Cactus Q's, some experienced help needed. [Re: Tangich]
#19105256 - 11/08/13 11:51 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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True. I've never had a peruvianus I've been impressed by. I'm sure there are good ones out there, but not common here in the states from what I've experienced.
-------------------- "Cosmic Love is absolutelely ruthless and highly indifferent: it teaches its lessons whether you like/dislike them or not." John C. Lily
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Tangich


Registered: 10/28/09
Posts: 8,723
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Re: Cactus Q's, some experienced help needed. [Re: nicechrisman]
#19105294 - 11/08/13 12:00 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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They look very nice tough. Make some great hybrids too. I can't say I have much experience in eating cacti, the only time I did that I accidentally cut a ~1 inch thick slice of Psycho0xSuperpedro, and instead of throwing it away decided to eat it for shits and giggles, to see what it tastes like. 3 Hours latter my head was a mess and I couldn't sleep. Judging by the tiny amount that was eaten, it probably has some potential...
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