Trichocereus Bridgesii Pup Ripping Through

A picture of one of my Trichocereus bridgesii babies, one I had almost given up on.  They are terribly resilient organisms.

Areca catechu and new dragon fruit varieties

So I went to the Lyons Arboretum Spring Plant sale this past weekend.  The Lyons Arboretum is one of my favorite places on this island, and I support them any chance I get.  It was also a great opportunity to pick up some new plants for propogation and to add to my personal collection as well as inventory.

So what did I get?  Well as the title mentions I got a Betelnut palm, Areca catechu, some new dragon fruit types, a new tilandsia variety and a few other oddities.  I got there rather late because I was boxing up orders, and I think the best stuff was probably gone already, but I was pretty happy with my purchases.

Also had a chance to connect with a local coffee grower and picked up some Kona Typica coffee trees.  I am currently offfering these dark green beauties on my website for only $19.99.

PR6GYRVBVWY5

Announcing Psychotria viridis, Diplopterys paucaflora, Mimosa pudica and more

I'm pleased to say that I have been hard at work expanding my line of high quality plants.  New items for this week include: Psychotria viridis plants in 4 inch pots, the VERY RARE Diplopterys pauciflora also in 4 inch pots, Mimosa pudica seeds (packet of 30), Kava ('Awa) , Piper methysticum (Kava, 'Awa) live plants in 1 gallon pots, and many others.

Look for more exciting developments to come shortly.

                                                                 Psychotria viridis.

Diplopterys paucaflora

                                                                  Mimosa pudica

Kava, 'Awa, Piper methysticum

Questions about growing Trichocereus Cuttings.

I get asked a lot of questions about growing cacti and strange plants.  So I thought I'd start copying the q&a here and save myself some typing in the future.

Todays questions are about growing Trichocereus cuttings.

1. Can I chop the cutting in 2 and start rooting both, will it grow? Or will it grow best in one piece.
You can divide the cutting, but the bigger the piece the better the chance of success.  If you do decide to cut it, you'll want to allow the cuts to dry.  I usually wipe the cut with isopropyl alcohol to encourage this to happen faster.  I also would place the freshly cut ends in front of a fan.  You want to dry it pretty fast or it could start to form mold or bacterial infections.  Sulfer dust can help if you pick up a nasty.

If your new to growing these I'd just plant it as is.

2. Can I use powder root hormones when I plant it? If so does it need a certain type?

I wouldn't.  Rooting hormones are not designed for cacti and "soften" the below ground portion of the cacti.  If anything.. a light dusting with sulfer dust of the bottom before planting. 

3. How long will it take before i can chop it down and clone it? how tall does it have to grow? and where is the best place to make the cut?

I would let it grow a full season before propogating from it.  Make the cut at least 6" off the ground, higher if you like.  I like to make the cut at a slight angle to encourage water to run off instead of pooling at the cut.  Wiping with alcohol is also suggested.

4. What's the best soil blend?

The best soils for this type of cacti are ones that drain fast.  Especially early after planting you need to watch the moisture.  It won't need any at first, and overwatering is probably the number 1 killer.  Once it starts to develop roots, a couple weeks to 2 months after planting, depending on temperature and light, it will require increasing amount of water, until winter when it will go dormant and should be brought inside.  

I like to add perilite to the soil.  It lightens it up and encourages root growth.   It will require very few nutrients, and Shultz makes an excellent liquid food you can use once it is established.

I also make my own soil blend available for sale.

New Banisteriopsis caapi in stock. Boa strain.

Pleased to announce I've got another rare gem from the jungle in stock:  Banisteriopsis Caapi (Boa Strain).
Supplies won't last forever, check it out today.

"Dont bother with leather boots because all the snakes bite at the neck, dont forget to bring a pith helmet, and dont come back without trying Ayahuasca" R.E. Schultes

Growing Trichocereus from seed

I grow quite a few cacti from seed.  Here's how you can too.

Prepare your soil.  I usually use a 2 inch terra cotta pot (pictured below).  I fill with regular potting soil, perilite and basalt sand.  I then moisten and microwave to kill any grass seeds.  I then sow the seeds on the surface without pressing them down.

Next I put 2 of these pots in a baggie and set them in the shade outside.  This pot was basically neglected for 2 months or so after sowing and Voila!

If posible, you should  keep the pots in a place where the temperature can be kept around 25°C, or 33°C daytime maximum and 15°C night-time minimum.

Cacti from seed can be an economical way of growing your collection, and Trichocereus, or Echinopsis are a fairly easy way to get started.

Very Large Trichocereus Pachanoi Cuttings Available, LOTS!

I'm very pleased to announce that I have secured a local supplier of some of the nicest looking Pachanoi cuttings I have ever seen.  They are cut to the standard industry length of right about twelve inches, but as you can see these are particularly girthsome.  They come from 15 foot tall stands with multiple columns, and I expect to have them in stock all year.  While I continue to focus on growing Trichocereus bridgesii, it's good to know I can continue to provide the nicest looking San Pedro Cactus cuttings around.  Buy them here before I decide to raise my prices to match my competitors

Here's a picture of my new San Pedro cacti fieldstock:

Orchids are the new Roses. Valentine's gift thoughts.

Valentine's day is less than a month away.  On a normal year, I might be tempted to allow that to wash over me unconsidered, but this year I have flowers for sale! 

What are you planning to do with your flower budget?  I say Orchids are the new roses.  Think about it.  Orchids are fresh and eternal, roses are so... played out.   Do you think she really wants ANOTHER overpriced, past-its-prime bouquet of cut flowers?

Absolutely not.  She wants an interesting, and beautiful flower, that is alive.  Something to nurture and care for.  Something that will remind her of your love again and again , and the next time that orchid blooms, that is exactly what will happen.

Why not surprise her with this stunning Cattleya Orchid?, only $45.99 plus $20 shipping (FedEx 2nd day air)

We're on Etsy and Amazon.com And Ebay.

I'm doing my best to get the word out, and that includes reaching the dark and dusty corners of the internet.  I'm pleased to announce that we now have an Etsy Shop,  and "uncommoncactus" at Amazon and Ebay.  Of course all of our products will continue to be listed on our website. 

Prices may vary between shops to compensate for the various fees, but my main website will always have the lowest price.  Note our 100% Positive feedback rating everywhere! 

Also we've given ourselves a facelift with a new logo in anticipation of our upcoming national magazine inclusion.   If that's not enough I've added a FAQ section and 3 new strains of Banisteriopsis caapi.

Whew, that was a lot of work, I'm off to have a cold one.

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/UncommonCactus