Cactus Blog

The Christian Science Monitor has published this anecdotally proven method:

“The important thing is to water the cactus at exactly the right intervals. These plants came from the desert near Tucson, Ariz. When I brought them back to Boston, I immediately subscribed to an Arizona newspaper. And when the paper says it rained in Tucson, that’s when I water my cactus plants. As you can see, so far it’s worked well.”

The <a href="http://cactusjungle.com/archives/blog/exit.php?url_id=1817&amp;entry_id=1637" title="http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/01/25/lifestyles/at_home/23065949.txt" onmouseover="window.status=’http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/01/25/lifestyles/at_home/23065949.txt’;return true;" onmouseout="window.status=”;return true;">University of Illinois</a> has a good resource for mealy bug infestations in your home.<br /><br /><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Small plants with light infestations may be successfully treated by dabbing each mealybug with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol….<br />
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Spraying infested plants with an insecticide is also effective. Treat the plants every 10 to 14 days for two to three months….<br />
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Plants that grow in loose soil, such as cacti and other succulents, should also be checked for soil mealybugs on the roots and underground stems. Treat root infestations every two weeks for two months….<br />
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An insecticidal soap will also help control mealybugs.</span><br /></div><br />Insecticidal soap is good. For a general purpose insecticide that is safe for cacti and succulents we prefer 100% Neem Oil.<br /><br />

<a href="http://cactusjungle.com/archives/blog/exit.php?url_id=1812&amp;entry_id=1631" title="http://www.homebysunset.com/home_by_sunset/2008/01/get-more-than-s.html" onmouseover="window.status=’http://www.homebysunset.com/home_by_sunset/2008/01/get-more-than-s.html’;return true;" onmouseout="window.status=”;return true;">Sunset Magazine</a> traveled to San Francisco to help a homeowner build a light well for a cactus, becuase you know, there’s never enough sun in the city and light wells will help your cactus to thrive. If you can afford the $7200, I say it is a wise investment for your cactus.<br /><br /><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It took $7,200 and about 10 full days to complete. Although the cost was high, the rewards are great….<br />
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A handmade bench serves as a… place to sit and admire the… cactus, and assorted succulents.</span><br /></div><br />I may have edited that one a bit much. But you’ll never know unless you click through the link.<br /><br />

<a href="http://cactusjungle.com/archives/blog/exit.php?url_id=1742&amp;entry_id=1545" title="http://www.newestblogarticles.com/home/indoor-plants/cactus-identification.html" onmouseover="window.status=’http://www.newestblogarticles.com/home/indoor-plants/cactus-identification.html’;return true;" onmouseout="window.status=”;return true;">Indoor Plants blog</a> tells you how to ID cactus.<br /><br /><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Spines are (a) feature that most cacti have which can help in proper cactus identification. Do not mistake these spines for thorns because these are not the same.</span><br /></div><br />Now that you know, go check out some of those plants you have and see if they’re cacti. I’ll wait here.<br /><br />

There’s an article about window boxes on a site that has articles, called Article Publishing. I don’t know what this site is about, but the article is about <a href="http://cactusjungle.com/archives/blog/exit.php?url_id=1686&amp;entry_id=1487" title="http://www.content4reprint.com/home/gardening/ideal-plants-to-make-an-amazing-display-in-window-boxes.htm" onmouseover="window.status=’http://www.content4reprint.com/home/gardening/ideal-plants-to-make-an-amazing-display-in-window-boxes.htm’;return true;" onmouseout="window.status=”;return true;">window boxes.</a><br /><br /><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cacti<br />
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In hot climates with little rainfall, cacti and succulents can be the answer. They can be grown, too, in other areas, particularly by gardeners who like to travel without worrying about the container plants they leave behind. Foliage patterns and forms of these plants are fascinating, and many extraordinary compositions can be achieved.</span><br /></div><br />Well, that just about says it all. I have nothing more to add to that fine how-to article. Except that we like wood windows, and wood window boxes too. That seems like a nice little addition to that article. But that’s all, nothing more. It is otherwise a very complete recitation of the window box how-to facts.<br /><br />