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MACROGONUS?
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008
It would be appreciated greatly if this could be identified if its just
a cereus or a tricho macrogonus.
Thank you much.
-----------
I see a tag in that pot--the white thing on the left. What does it say?
;)
More seriously--yeah, it sort of does because of the top has a kind
of clubby look that resembles mine (grown from seed) at that age.
You know who you bought it from and that they probably said "I
grew it from seed" but the question really is (to me) "What seed?
Whose seed? How was that seed created (who hand pollinated, etc.) and
where are photos of the mature, flowering parents?" No one ever has
photos of the parents and authentication of the flowering/hand
pollinating.
I prefer to identify mature plants, big specimens and ones that flower.
Little ones in 4" pots all sort of look the same like baby humans do.
Can you look at photos of children at age 2 and identify the woman who
will be a centerfold model? Or the boy who will be a rocket scientist,
the one who will be a murderer, the one who will be an athlete?
Of course not. But if you saw their parents, and knew their IQ scores,
level of education and financial net worth--you might be able to make
some guesses about the kids.
Repot this beauty right now! Give it a lot more soil, send a photo next
year, and the year after, etc. |
 |
| Babies all look alike, only grown ups really show you what
they are. This has an odd sort of clubby top that resembles my
seed grown ones supposedly "Macrogonus." |
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WHAT IS IT?
From: Troy Daubaras (Australia) / Subject: What is it ? / Date: Tue, 19
Aug 2008
Hi,
Can you please help. After looking through a lot of pictures on your
site I am still at a loss to positively identify a torch like cactus
that I purchased from a nursery in Australia. At a guess it looks like
it could be a young Peruvianus of some sort. It is in great condition
and has a real blue colour to it. I have just re potted this one to give
it room to grow as it was in a small pot. After looking at your site I
am confident that if you cannot help with the identification of this one
then no one can! I have attached a close up pic. Thanks for your help...
Cheers, Troy
------------
Troy, it is what the nursery said it was. A nursery sold
an un-labeled plant? OK, it is Australia. But blue cactus are common and
not even Trichocereus.
Look up Pilosocereus:
http://cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus=Pilosocereus
http://www.columnar-cacti.org/pilosocereus/page2.html
And a really blue one from Peru is Azureocereus:
http://www.columnar-cacti.org/azureocereus/index.html |
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PERUVIANUS SPINE COLOR
August 20, 2008
RE: KK242 Peruvianus --one quick question is you say that the spines are
always brown. is it possible for the spines as they age and get more
towards the bottom of the cactus turn white? or does that mean that it
is a phony and no matter what the spines will stay brown no matter how
old they are and how far down they are? i know your a busy farmer and
get back to me when you have time have a good one. peace and love, kyle
------------
Yes, to answer simply. But there is a lot of spine color variation,
subtleties that vary between specimens. P. Torches go brown, white, etc.
I even noticed spines on Macrogonus that come out black on one specimen
and brown on another--grown from the same seed and sitting next to each
other. And they stay that color all the way down. I intend to do a photo
essay of spine colors soon.
There is a pretty clear (agreed upon in an official way) KK242 Peruvianus because that is
the collection
site in Matucana, Peru. It has been a source of Peruvianus for decades. But
the Peruvian Torch (as a more generic plant) grows over a wide range in Peru with many trapped in
mountain valleys where the seed is probably not being cross pollinated with
anything too different.
Look at this way; when Virginia and I motorcycled through Europe we
noticed how genetically different the people looked in each country.
Those political, cultural boundaries mean that French people really
looked French to us when we came from England. In Yugoslavia there were
people in an area called Montenegro that were striking in appearance
(high foreheads like Boris Karlof in
Frankenstein),
and in Greece the people looked Greek. I'm not being silly--just trying
to make a point about the variations of the Peruvianus, or Peruvian
Torch across the region they grow.
With European people I could see how they had been breeding within their
own cultures for centuries. English people look very different
from Germans. It was actually funny--Germans were big, mature at a young
age, the women had hairy legs. English country folk were pasty white,
had these thin red veins in the faces, were smaller and more delicate.
If we mixed a cross section of Europeans together in America it would be
hard to identify the German, French, Greek, or English. My point is "How
detailed do we have to get with spine colors?" Could it be like
hair color?
We are not in Peru traveling about from
mountain valleys to coastal plains. If we were we could make detailed
photos of all these varieties. Instead we grow "T. Peruvianus" seed
in America and have to wait years for the mature specimen to manifest
itself. Now if we could just take a long journey through Peru examining
remote locations where these have been growing for centuries...wow.
I collect beautiful specimens that look right (what gardeners
call true to type)
and only clone them--never try to cross breed them into hybrids. There
are enough mutts in the world as it is. I buy seed from Peru but reserve
judgment until those kids grow up. Way up. That time is still years
away. Hopefully this effort will produce some reference standards
showing distinct traits & differences. Like a red headed Irish person
and a jet black haired Italian. Only with cacti. |
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Thank you for the beautiful cacti &
information!
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008
Hey Raccoony, Cougar & Verne--
My mom grows catnip for me and the four other cats who let her live in
our house. My name is Frankie, and I like catnip much better than
cactus. I've been "bitten" a few times when trying to use a cactus pot
for a litter box. I learned. Now whenever I smell or see cactus, I hiss
at it and stay clear.
My dad grew up and lived in Southern California for the first 30+ years
of his life, and spent a lot of time in the desert. He LOVES cacti! He
and my mom have been married for 15 years, and they tell me that there
has always been a column or two of cactus growing somewhere around the
house. I don't understand the fascination, but my dad says it has
something to do with his Native American heritage.
My dad has been in Iraq for two years. He will be home pretty soon, and
mom wants there to be some new cacti waiting for him. Since she grew up
in New England, she wasn't raised with cacti. She is learning
though--she even belongs to the local Cactus Society--my dad is really
proud of her since his cacti have thrived while he's been away. It's not
easy to grow cacti in the delta!
My mom raises Asian ratsnakes, bull and gopher snakes, and small australian pythons. So she has a room dedicated to the scaly ones and
cacti. Fortunately, cacti and these snakes have similar tastes in terms
of heat and humidity. She says that the chi in there is strong &
nourishing. I wouldn't know--it's a fur-free zone. |
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"My name is Frankie" |
 |
Us fur-babies sit with our noses pressed up against the
french door and holler for attention. We are quite spoiled, and
as you know, cats hate being told they can and can't go in their
house!
Thank you for the beautiful cacti, careful wrapping and packing,
and care information. Your website is wonderful, and the addy
will be forwarded to Iraq. My mom really enjoyed exploring the
site, and wants to share it with my dad. Don't be surprised if
you get an email from him--his name is Jimmy.
Blessings--
Furry-Purries:Frankie, Goldie, Grace, Mis-Tac, & Elvis, and
their mom, Carol |
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Thank you! Maybe with this year's catnip harvest I can include a small
gift sample with cactus shipments going to cat people. Hum...I like
that idea. |
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BUT HE GROW VERY SLOWLY
Date:
Sat, 16 Aug 2008
Hi,
I need your help. I have 2 Trichocereus but I didn`t know their name.
Can you help me identificate these? First picture: I mean these is
Trichocereus glaucus. He growth very fast und have wunderfull blue
colour. Second picture: is thes Trichocereus peruvianus rimac (?).but he
growth very slowly.
Sorry for my bad english. I`m from germany and if your website saw and
thought you can help me Thank you for answer - have a nice day!
Bye
Alexander |
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------------
Dear Alexander, Your English is better than my German. But what I see in
the photos is bad soil, or no soil. One has rocks (I guess to hold the
plant for the photo?) The other is too sandy, wet and has what looks
like undigested organic matter in it. Slow growth would be explained by
this--the roots are in a continuous state of partial rot.
When I recommend 50% perlite it is to provide excellent drainage.
A lot of sand is not good as it compacts and stays wet like a sponge. I
only recommend real home made compost that is fully composted;
not the so called "compost" sold at garden stores. Read the label to
find it is fir bark, forest by-products, wood chips, etc. That is mulch that will simply rot in
your soil mix. Real compost is only made by gardeners, is fully
aged--so it has beneficial soil microorganisms. You probably cannot buy
it. Try this mix...
I recommend you re-pot these plants in larger containers with 50%
perlite soil mix. Then water with distilled H2O and a give plant food
once a week during growing season diluted 50%.
Identification of small specimens may be missing the point; plants are
living beings that require healthy conditions. Take care of that aspect
first so one day you'll have a huge, healthy, happy specimen whose
identity will be obvious. |
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TRICHOCEREUS GROUP PHOTO
Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008
Hi Verne,
Is the cutting I bought from you at Christmas 2006 the same plant* as
you recently added to your website as your fastest growing Trichocereus
hybrid? I bought 6 plants (5 were cuttings) from you at that time and
they're all doing real well. Next year I plan to plant them in the
ground with the rest of my plants, but I left them in containers so I
could push some growth on them for a few years. The Trichocereus "Giant
Vasquez" is in the front center in this picture.
Thanks, Willie Klearman |
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------------
*Yes, that is the one I call "fastest". All your plants look very good,
excellent job! |
 |
What I notice
Black containers may absorb a lot of infrared and possibly over heat the soil, etc. I'd stick
an in/outdoor thermometer probe in there to determine min/max daily soil
temp about 12" down. |
The "fastest" could do even better; I give mine 50% perlite for root
development/feeding plus lots of water with nutrients (see: water
system). The "fastest" that I featured, in a 10
gallon pot, is soaked with water about every
other day--it uses all the water in the hot summer.
You might want to separate your containers to allow air circulation;
mine have 20" fans on timers to give a breeze 12 hours/day in summer. If
your location has full sun you might also try a 30% shade cloth roof.
Cacti are nocturnal (absorb CO2 at night) and need cool temps to
photosythesize. More water (in the evening), fans during the day, plus
30% shade can all help. In fact, I always water my plants after
sundown. (I have halogen work lights on stands at strategic points
and wear a Petzl LED headlight) Don't water cactus during the heat of
the day.
But all the pointers aside, you have the best looking plants of anyone I
have ever sold to. You show mastery of raising magnificent specimens.
Bravo!
Verne |
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HAPPY GUY LIAM
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Hello there!
What an absolute pleasure it is that you share your passion and work on this site, thank you so much. I have spent many happy moments this weekend checking out the cacti and cats here, learning as I go. Seeing how you have things set up in sunny California is a huge help to me over here in England even though weatherwise we are very different. I could go on but realise you are liable to be super busy, so...
All best wishes to you Verne. Liam
-----------
Hello Liam in England!
I was in England once one summer in a previous lifetime as a 21 year
old student with a delightful girlfriend. We bought a motorcycle in
London that we drove 6,000 mile through Europe over a 10 week "holiday",
as you guys call it. We went to the Isle of Wight, Brighton, Dover,
Cambridge. New Forest had horses walking around loose on the roads,
houses made of stone with huge thatched roofs. Pubs were fun
because you guys called us "colonials" and bought us
a free pint. Britons taught me that I had an accent, even though I
thought it was the other way around. |
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| Virginia and I rode our motorcycle through the area
of England called New Forest. Horses and cattle roam
free on the roads, the houses had those thick thatch
roofs like in the movies. |
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WHAT IS IT?
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 / Subject: Cactus ID help?
From: David Osborn <dw.osborn@gmail.com>
Hi Verne, I hope all is well with you. My name is David Osborn and I
bought a San Pedro from you last winter. It is thriving here in Chicago
and has grown about 7 inches this summer.
I’m writing you because I thought you might be able to help me identify
a cactus pup given to me recently my uncle. He claims it is a
Trichocereus Peruvianus, but I have me doubts. It does appear to be a
Trichocereus of some kind, and I was hoping you could lend your
expertise.
Here are the links to some pics of the pup. Unfortunately I was unable
to snap a picture of the mother plant:
http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1000334ng1.jpg
http://img367.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1000337wb9.jpg
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank You,
David Osborn
-----------
Its a Cereus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cereus |
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PHILOSOPHY
Friday, July 18, 2008
Those who know don't talk.
Those who talk don't know. |
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COMPLIMENT
213.139.171.111
Monday, July 14, 2008
I have been a guest to your site for almost three years now. It has
been of great assistance for my indoor cacti growing, and your genuine interest in these plants certainly shows. It has helped me to see the plants as real living beings, instead of just growing objects.
Keep up the good work!
Best regards, Juha Kallio
Finland
--------------
Thank you very much. |
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COMPLIMENT
Saturday, July 05, 2008
hello, verne. i just wanted to complement you on a great website! great photos, great informatin.
thank you.
henry
--------------
Thank you very much.
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HAPPY PERUVIANUS
June 20, 2008
Hi Verne
This is my Trichocereus Peruvianus v. Ressler which I purchased in late
march.
You did a great job rooting this cactus and I am honored to care for it.
Your last measurement on 3/21/08 was 13" and as of 6/20/08 this sacred
cactus is 20" tall.
That's 7 inches in 3 months!
My columnar cacti is a source of serenity in these difficult and
uncertain times.
I am sure you can relate.
Thank you for providing something so rewarding and positive.
Chris |
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--------------
Chris, Thank you for the photo. In
a loving home they grow like crazy. You sure gave this one a wonderful
place to live. Your comment is appreciated "...these difficult and uncertain times."
Things have just begun to go bad. Humans have hurt
the planet too much for too long. It's important to focus on
positive aspects of the life force
so our consciousness can amplify that. Thanks again Chris. Verne |
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SKINNY TIPS
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008
i have recently purchased two 13' San Pedro cactus. i repotted them and
they have started growing but the new growth is skinny and half the
diameter as the rest. i looked for information about this on your
website but didnt find any. is this something that you could help me
with. was thinking that maybe it was caused by the conditions or
something but i tried to follow your repotting guide as much as
possible. thank you. i have attatched a picture of them.
|
 |
---------------
Who did you purchase these from?
Ask that seller what's up—what did you buy—cuttings or rooted
plants? Did you repot them because they were root bound, or potted
unrooted cuttings? Without these details I can't diagnose the situation.
Do you have any healthy plants growing in the same location? If so there
is enough light. If these are cuttings then they don't have a root
system yet.
I can't tell if they have roots or not, or if there is insufficient
light; both could be the cause.
There is a similar picture of etiolated (skinny tip) plants. See—Skinny Tip 2006 |
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WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008
Subject: Peruvian Torch Woes
I am having an issue with a torch and you seem to be the most
knowledgeable and generous person on the web to ask for help. My
torch started browning this winter and eventually it got all black
on the top.
I was advised by someone on a forum to cut the whole thing down to
where it isn't brown and I just did that in my kitchen only to find
that it looks perfectly healthy on the inside of the cactus. So my
question is: would it be worth it to try and graft that long, brown
middle section back onto the base? If so, what are the steps
involved? If I decide to just let the base grow back again, do I
need to take it out and let the top dry? wash the cut surface with
alcohol?
I took out the loose soil and gravel on top to make sure the roots
weren't infected,
it looks a little yellow but it isn't too much softer than the green
part.
Where do I go from here?
Thanks so much for any help!
PS. Since I last emailed you I put the cut part in the freezer, has
this ruined any chance of re-attaching? probably
------------------
Where do you go from here?
The health or sickness of the plant is a reflection of yourself.
Reality itself is a like a dream in which everything is created by the
self.
Plants are living beings
Learn about the life force by getting up from your computer—visit a
home & garden store to understand creating healthy conditions for plants
in your home.
Buy any inexpensive cactus at Lowes or Home Depot along with a book on
container growing. Try to raise a healthy "any old kind" of cactus. Can
you keep it alive and see it thrive?
Learning is a lifelong activity
Read, talk to gardeners, learn, observe.
It is not the plant, per se, that is sick; it is us. Its demise
is a manifestation of our own inner darkness.
Verne |
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TAKING PUPS FROM THEIR MOTHERS?
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Can "pups" just be pulled away from the mom and replanted separately?
------------------
Can human children be taken away
from their mother by force? Sure. But is that best?
Why not keep the family together but give it a larger, more spacious
home where everyone can grow to be all he or she can be? Whole, happy families
in safe homes may be the best thing. That's what I believe. Take cuttings from adults;
I leave pups
alone. They're just kids.
But that's just me. You may be happier ripping the poor thing out
of the earth... |
 |
There is a story about a goose
that laid golden eggs. One day the owner cut it open to get all the
gold out.
I would have let that goose alone but taken really good care of her
and thanked her every day for being such a wonderful gift of nature.
But
that's just me. |
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PLANTING OUTDOORS IN ZONE 8?
May 31, 2008
My question is will the cactus survive in fort worth texas? the listing for
dallas is zone 8 yet my neighbors across the street have a nice optunia (those
are prickly pears correct?) and i already have a nice grandiflorus growing
(potted however) I want to plant them outside so they can flower and feed the
local bats.
PS. nice cats.
--------------
Don't know about your local climate. I'm in sunny California. Here is what I
have experienced with winter cold snaps--temps in the 20s.
http://www.sacredcactus.com/outdoor_freeze_damage.htm
As you propogate san pedros try one outdoors for a winter but only one. I
had a customer near Carlsbad New Mexico lose an entire patch put in the earth--
when it was buried under a snow drift.
Opuntia are more cold hardy--not comparable with the peruvian climate where warm
equatorial ocean circulates... Texas is mid continent where the winter jet
stream sometimes pushes arctic air.
Small specimens will freeze where larger, thicker diameter ones will not; it
also depends how long it stays down in the 20s. You will have to experiment.
Zone 8 sounds bad. I only recommend zone 9 and up. Climate is unstable now due
to man made changes; who know if the old zone system is as reliable as it was in
the past?
I'd keep San Pedro potted in large containers so you can pull them inside the
garage if the weather calls for a hard freeze.
Verne
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CACTUS LIKE COOL NIGHTS
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Verne, Your comments on the cool nights here in Colorado were right on I
believe. I was seriously giving that thought this winter. But you know how it
goes, you just need someone to say it and put it in a logical way. Thanks. After
all, we all know that cactus / desert plants (desert high or low) experience
very cool if not downright cold nights. DUH! since re- acclaimating my plants.
and putting them out for the nights - 42 degrees night, 75-80 degrees days, they
have exibited amazing new growth ... especially the macrogonus. 2 new off shoots
going from 1/2 " to dime size in 1.5 weeks! Also want to stress the point of
scaping off the top layers (container pots..BIG & terra cotta) about 4 -5 inches
and putting in new organic material, worm castings,compost, lava grit etc. Also,
superthrive & old age sea kelp seems to be a great thing and water towards the
end of the day.
Thanks again Verne and hey ....where are those death sticks LOL!!
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HASSLES WITH EBAY/PAYPAL
Verne:
I noticed how explicit your instructions are for
ordering (based no doubt on stupid hassles with
past shipping and payments) that is why this is
such a comedy of errors...but needless to
say...I wasn't laughing. I just wanted to buy
your damn cactus ...pay and have a good
morning..but NOOOooo. ebay and paypal thought
they should see how bad I wanted it! One hour
and 45 minutes later with ebays worthless live
customer service and two paypal reps...I finally
got my payment processed. I REALLY DO WANT IT! I
think you have payment now..and address???. Ship
the cactus to me ...can we just get this over
with? ....Thanks again...I'm look forward to my
cactus...peace out!
Jim
--------------
Jim,
I believe everything you say about your
experience with eBay and PayPal. There is no
hope. It will only get worse. There is a recent B movie
called Idiocracy (I think Starz has it)
with a marvelous opening scene. It explains how
the world is getting stupider.
Your cute little cactus friend will ship to you
(Main street address) Friday, May 9. Thank you.
Verne |
 |
(above) Opening scene of this film
explains
eBay, PayPal and everything
else |
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COMPLIMENT
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008/From: "eBay Member<member@ebay.com>
i can see your a busy man i just wanted to thank
you for the super packing job cactus arived with
no damage what so ever the BEST packing job ive
ever seen and thanks for all the great info on
your site and sent in the shipment ill be buying
again soon thanks ron hawks your happy native
american friend/customer
-irwildcat
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Dear irwildcat,
As a farmer I'm very busy this time of year!
Endless potting soil to make, grass/weeds to
mow, transplanting, repotting, repairing
equipment, mulching, harvesting cuttings to dry,
etc.
Thank you for your time to write words that
cheer me up--make all the hard work, long hours
feel rewarding.
Verne & The Cats |
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GRAFTING NON-TRICHOCEREUS
71.251.158.74/Saturday, May 03, 2008
hello verne, i had bought a pedro a few months back now and the little buddy is doing great seated in his new pot. i know that you are great with columnar cacti, but i dont know your experience with grafting but what i was wondering though is when you graft one species onto another, does the base plant still continue normal growth? i was thinking about grafting a colorful gymnocalycium mihanovichii(i dont know its non-latin name) onto a pachanoi for an interesting contrast. Should i scrap the idea all together? i would love to hear your advice on this. thank you for your time
--Brandon
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Brandon,
There are numerous cactus guys who offer photo
tutorials on their websites. Search around?
This one discusses graft compatibility
noting the
complication about botany terms
such as species, genus, genera, and order.
I do not graft outside of the Trichocereus
family. So I am not any kind of grafting expert.
Sorry.
Grafting brings out the Dr. Frankenstein in me.
The latent need to pick up a scalpel to play
surgeon, or mad scientist. Its fun to create new life forms.
Yes, the base does continue to grow. My
San Pedro bases pup, and/or
grow offsets from an
areole. To me its cool to have an offset
San Pedro tip growing up along side the grafted
one.
My friend Elton grafts his rare stuff on
Trichocereus Spachianus (right).
T. Spachianus is always a good choice for a
base, but since I have tons of San Pedro so I
use that instead. |
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| One of Elton's grafts |
|
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TRICHOCEREUS MACROGONUS
207.69.137.15/Friday, May 02, 2008
as of lately i have been wanting to aquire a t. macrogonus. i've been online searching with several websites offering it. there is only one thing that concerns me. the picture these online stores use is the same for several of the sites. what gives?
is it possible these sites sell subpar cacti cuttings? i have only ever bought from you. all the cacti i have were once under your care. i'm weary to even shop the realm of other stores. you know anything on this?
------------
Dear 207.69.137.15,
I am raising a lot of Magrogonus specimens. They are not
big enough yet--only hot dog size. Maybe in the fall
I'll sell a few. But I have hundreds of smaller
seedlings coming up--so next year will have plenty to
offer.
I'm a farmer with a lot of chores--and no time to visit
or evaluate other websites. My life experience taught me
that most people in business just want to make a buck.
Buckminster Fuller said "You can't make both money
and sense." Well, I don't make more than just enough
to pay the bills each month. But when you visit my
plants I think I make sense. My plants are healthy &
happy.
Verne
|
what the smallest piece of cacti you have ever
succefully rooted? would a piece 5 inches root or would
i simply be wasting my time?
thanks
------------
Joel,
Plant care takes a little skill. What I can do--I can
do. But I have no idea what you or anyone else
can do. I have rooted tips only 1" tall. But it can
take the whole season and only the following year do
they really start to grow. 5"? Piece of pie! You should
be able to root it just fine.
In fact, due to harvesting cuttings, grafting, etc. I
have a whole 3'x8' table of tiny fellows being rooted.
Only a few don't make it.
This is the biblical system Jesus taught during the
Sermon on the Mound. Remember loaves & fishes? Same with
San Pedro--all the little pieces multiply and you have
more and more instead of less and less.
Loaves & fishes. Root every little piece. Amen.
thanks sir. i swear you are god sent. may god bless you,
your family, cats and cacti many times over. i love your
website and all the cacti i own were once yours. much
love my friend
thank you.
p.s. what websites do you trust to buy cuttings from. i
personally only trust yours but i want to aquire a t
macrogonus but the websites i have visited all have the
same pic for t. mac. seems sketchy. what are your
thoughts on this?
-----------
Joel,
Thanks. It is nice to get your thoughtful, grateful
reply. My macrogonus are not ready to sell quite yet.
But in the fall I'll part with a few on eBay. Keep in
touch?
I have no idea what other websites exist --let alone
know what they do.
Verne
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"over 12" from the penis in one season"
70.56.234.29/Thursday, May 01, 2008
Hi again Verne,
I don't mean to turn this into a Q&A forum.... (consider it respect for your growing techniques!) But what do you think of using good amounts of 3/8" minus lava rock in the potting soil? I did it with a bridgesii that I got from you and a "penis" plant. Both have shown absolutely remarkable growth, I got about 10" from the bridgesii and
over 12" from the penis in one season. Soil being homemade compost 40% - worm castings 20% - perlite 40% Then a copious handful(s) of small lava rock and dust. There seems to be a
noticeable difference between these 2 plants and the other peruvianus, and monstrous.
What do you think?
Pete
Sanctuary Outdoor Living & Landscaping, Inc.
Monument, CO
[Penis
plant is a form of Bridgesii that looks like its
name] |
 |
---------------
Pete,
Soil is very important; yet past a certain point growth rate
may be tied to night time temperature because cactus open their
stoma at night. In my experience (and Elton Roberts') cactus
seem to shut down in heat. We both observe dramatic growth
spurts when night temps are below 70 but slow growth when it is
above 70 degrees F.
The other factor, I believe, is love. Anything you love
grows. So if you love your penis...
|
"...noticing that the soil mass changed very
little,...much of the gained mass also comes from carbon
dioxide as well as water...the bulk of a plant's biomass
comes from the inputs of photosynthesis, not the soil
itself." |
|
Jan van Helmont began the research of the process in
the mid-1600s when he carefully measured the mass of the
soil used by a plant and the mass of the plant as it
grew. After noticing that the soil mass changed very
little, he hypothesized that the mass of the growing
plant must come from the water, the only substance he
added to the potted plant. His hypothesis was partially
accurate - much of the gained mass also comes from
carbon dioxide as well as water. However, this was a
signaling point to the idea that the bulk of a plant's
biomass comes from the inputs of photosynthesis, not the
soil itself. |
Pete, your cool Colorado nights may be
the key factor to the spectacular growth of your plants. After
all, I have seen 14 foot tall monster sized San Pedro that eke
out their nutrients from plain dirt. No fertilizers or anything
special at all. As long as the plant has water, some soil
minerals the rest is carbon from the air. The wood from a tree
is something like 90% carbon. Carbon not from soil--from the
air!
When it gets too hot here in the Central Valley my Trichocereus
stop growing until night time temperatures drop back to 70
degrees or so. Similarly, seed will not germinate if it is over
70 or 80 degrees--but they will germinate at lower temps. In
fact, I germinate my seeds in an unheated room in the winter;
during the summer I have to air condition it.
My cactus expert friend, Elton Roberts, has a lot to
say about Crassulacean acid metabolism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crassulacean_acid_metabolism
You live in cooler, high altitude Colorado--a place I only drove
through once in 1971. So I don't know what your growing
temperatures are like. Plant nutrients mean nothing when it
is too hot.
That's all I know--California Central Valley; trichocereus go
dormant, growth wise, in the dead of winter as well as the heat
of summer. But Spring & Fall they grow like crazy!
As for 10" growth from your penis, well, we should all be so
lucky.
Winter temperatures?
24.9.52.81/Sunday, April 27, 2008
WOW... I'm going to buy one of your plants next week. I live in Denver, Western view from the 3rd floor balcony. the patio door (ceiling to floor) before the balcony is a 2-door space and then the rest of the end of the house is a big window frm about a foot down from the ciling to about 16" from the floor.
So I have Western light from sunrise to sunset. There is no shade on the patio when the afternoon sun comes around.
If I buy a bigger plant and leave it outside this summer, can I leave it outside during the winter? I was surprised to see that they can handle temps to 20 degrees. What about the direct sun though?
I want to make sure I get the right variety. If I get an 18" plant and do everything right, it should be pretty big in 3-4 years, right? That's very exciting.
I can read this site all day long and still learn something every time I read it. Thanks for all you do and for doing it sooo well!
Vicki
---------------
Viki,
Consider visiting a local plant store that sells cactus. Ask
them about your local conditions. I only know how to grow
outside year round in sunny California where it almost never
freezes.
Trichocereus Macrogonus
70.56.234.29/Saturday, April 26, 2008
Hi again Verne,
What do you know of T. macrogonus? How do you consider this plant and ...well what exactly is it in your opinion?
Pete & Tami
---------------
Pete,
Macrogonus, Glaucus, KK242, and others are huge, blue,
and very desirable Peruvianus varieties. Trichocereus
Macrogonus is one of my favorites. I still regret
selling this huge, 5 footer on eBay about 4 years ago.
At that time I misidentified it as a Trichocereus
Peruvianus and its still listed that way on this site.
One of these days I fix that.
This one (right) was the last of my large specimens.
Since then I have obtained seed from Peru that I've been
germinating for several years. Currently I have a tray
of ones about hot dog size, and several trays of finger
tip size, plus hundreds of small seedlings.
In other words, I hope to offer large specimens in the
future.
In fact, I have several amazing varieties like this that
I'm either raising up from seed or multiplying by
cuttings. The goal is to offer a sort of rainbow of
Sacred Peruvian cactus. In the future. Coming soon to a
planet near you. It just takes time. |
 |
Compliments and stuff
Greetings Verne,
The cactus arrived today in excellent condition. Thank you for
the amazing care you took in packing it. I am impressed that it
survived the 6 day journey from CA to MD through the carrier
system so well.
Specifically, wrapping the top of the container was brilliant,
as it arrived on my door step upside down and would have lost
its soil otherwise.
I am pulling up your web page now (sacredcactus.com) to review
the information on repotting the cactus. I appreciate the care
you have taken to help folks grow and cultivate this wonderful
sacred plant. I'm looking forward to getting to know the cactus
as it grows. It is a welcome addition to my garden of sacred
plants. Question about ordering further specimens. If I am
successful in cultivating this species, I would like to teach a
group of friends about its cultivation. Do you allow for direct
orders of cutting (to be rooted) or rooted plants? If all goes
as planned, I would need 8 to 10 plants for the class,
preferably about the same size as this one (18 to 24 inches in
length).
Thank you for your wonderful work in helping people rediscover
this beautiful gift of the Gods.
Namaste,
Whittney Matlock
Results oriented massage therapy and pain management
whittney@massagebywhittney.com
929 W. Broad St., #202
Falls Church, VA 22046
202-841-8128
---------------
Whittney,
Thank you. I do what I can. Currently I cannot sell direct, only
through eBay.
Verne
|
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Offset growth?
71.205.197.229 /
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Hi Verne,
I'm a proud owner of a couple of your cacti and know that you are an authority in the columnar cacti field so I have a little question for ya. I appreciate what I read in the last post about offsets but it didn't quite answer my question. I'm a container/windowsill gardener in the midwest and have to really conserve space. My question is this, considering I will most likely never deal with a specimen advanced enough to offset itself in my planters, is there a way to cut/apply compound/waive a magic wand to make a cactus grow another shoot/offset either from an existing column or an already cut column that has one offset that you would like to make two or three on the same rooted cactus? Sorry for rambling but I have scoured the web looking for this answer and have found much information but noting addressing my exact question. Love what you do, keep it up. Thanks again for my beautiful cacti.
-Joe
---------------
Joe,
I'm not clear what you want to do. Nature does what it does by itself. If you whack off
the top of any plant nature pushes around that missing top--with new
growth.
http://www.sacredcactus.com/offset_growth.htm
If you want to manipulate nature --try an upside
down graft.
You can search engine "upside down graft" to find a tutorial.
http://www.sacredcactus.com/grafts.htm
This is the end of my knowledge, I guess.
Branches?
March 25, 2008
I saw the branchings on your huge cacti. I am wondering, and have heard,
many different things answering this question. I have several which were
cuttings I planted and they grew shoots from the top. Some a single one
some two or three.
My question is how do your get more branches to come on the cactus. Do
they do it naturally or is there a technique of cutting them or
something to induce branching.
---------------
Les,
Definitions:
Offset=growth from a column after you
cut off the tip.
Pup=a new little San Pedro that pops up from the soil next to the main
column.
Branch=a
spontaneous sprouting outward from a column that has not had growth
above it cut off.
 |
| Pups popping up out of the soil. |
They branch naturally --but only when old & tall enough. Small flower pot size
ones will grow a new tip from the base (a pup), or produce what you call
shoots. The techy term is "offset", as in offset growth, or to grow
offsets.
http://www.sacredcactus.com/offset_growth.htm
But true branching occurs only in old sections--
http://www.sacredcactus.com/landscaping3.htm
A tip or column section cut from an old, tall san pedro may branch
spontaneously after it has been rooted as a new plant. As if it
remembers that it was once high up and was due for a branching before
being cut down. These old pieces will also flower right away even before
rooting, sometimes.
A newly sprouted tip from an old plant is commonly taken to root into a
new plant. These new growth tips take years to mature, branch and
flower. Much slower than taking one of the old sections. However, old
sections are woody and slower/more tricky to root. They usually have a
lot of sun damage so they're not very cosmetic. I have trouble selling
them for that reason.
A seed grown san pedro would probably take many years to branch and/or
flower. But I have no idea how many years. All my san pedro experience
is with cuttings.
I also had a lot of branching from a very crowded stand at my old house.
It was branch city!
http://www.sacredcactus.com/san_pedro_cactus_branching.htm
Verne
|
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008
thanks for the info and the links to the photos! your stuff is really
nice. i'm going to order some more next week. any older
lophophora williamsii growing about the
tippies?
---------
RE: lophophora williamsii
You are asking about something that is a felony to
possess. Apparently your intended interest in cactus is not
something I want to be associated with. Worse, you assume I am a felon.
That is insulting.
I have banned your ebay username.
Verne
|
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008
Dear zircon6,
i really like the twin tippies and i love the tripple tippies. do you
get these by fancy grafting or do they just somehow grow from a cut
piece.
------------------
Dear [..........],
Any time you cut a san pedro tip off --the remaining column will sprout
from 1 to 4 (or even more) new tips
called offsets.
Sometimes I cut off the top of a column that already has 2-3 offset tips
and root that little section of column. I think you bought some like
that.
Also, when I root tips I often put 2 or more tips in a pot so they grow
as a cluster. This may look like twins or a family with kids. But its
just 2 or more rooting next to each other.
Grafting is one of my favorites to make "Dr. FrankenPedro" specimens
with bridgesii, san pedro, peruvian torch
grafted into what I
call "2 in 1" or "3 in 1" specimens. I sell those at Halloween.
|
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Compliment
71.211.62.169 / February 27, 2008
Hey verne,
speaking of (bs)Botanicals, They were regularly burning people about a year ago by selling cuzcoensis as, you guessed it, Peruvian Torch. Ashamed to say that I was one of the burned.
As you stated, I'm sure the majority of their clientel are teenagers who never let the cactus hit dirt but simply peel them and boil them up. Sad.
Hope the seeds we sent are coming along well. Cheers again to you and your principles.
Pete & Tami - Sanctuary Outdoor Living & Landscaping
---------------
Hello Pete & Tami,
Good to hear from you again.
Yup, that seed is
doing very well-about the size of pinto beans now. I've transplanted
many trays of 64 younglings each (2" pots 8x8 in trays).
Thanks for staying in touch.
Sure you don't want any death sticks? |
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More about cactus seed growing... |
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Compliment
February 27, 2008
Hey there Verne,
I purchased a couple san pedro cactus' from you a month or so ago. One 4
foot branch and another 3 foot log with three branches on it. I just
wanted to say how much I appreciate the quality of your cacti
and the love you guys put into them. I recently purchased a bridgesii
specimen and one other pachanoi from other sellers when I was looking
for a "deal". I foolishly assumed that they would be of the same
quality that I got from you.... a cactus is a cactus right? WRONG!
Seriously though, I just really wanted to express my gratitude for all
the hard work and the care you put into each one of these guys, it
really shows. Needless to say I will be buying all my cacti from
you in the future and I plan to buy quite a few (I'm trying to turn my
back yard into a sacred cacti garden!!). So thanks again... keep up the
truly fantastic work! -
Sincerely,
Dustin
------------- ;)
|
Compliment
Sunday February 24, 2008
Hey, Verne, thanks again for the plants and for all the care put into
packing them, they arrived in great shape and are all transferred to
bigger containers now, happily growing. And we just bought a wormbox for
composting the domestic organic waste, so soom the plants are going to
have a wonderful fertilizer.
I just left you a positive feedback for the orders at eBay.
Have a great week!
Best regards,
Luiz and Erica
---------------
Dear Luiz & Erica,
Thank you for the thoughtful note.
I love my worms. The wormys I fondly call them. "Hey wormys! Here's a
nice bunch of kitchen scraps for you! Yum-yum!" They are so happy to
eat my leftovers. I love my worms. And my cats. And my plants. It is
only humans that are so hard to tolerate. (see below)
|
I want to profit from your labors
From: [BS]botanicals@aol.com
Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2008
Subject: Cactus wholesale??
Hello I own [BS]Botanicals.com. I currently grow and sell san pedros,
however, I am having a problem keeping up with the demand. I am
interested in buying your cacti wholesale to replentish my supply, and
possibly having you drop ship cactus for my company. I may be able to
exclusively use your company for my cactus needs if we can come to an
agreement. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Tyler
[BS] Botanicals
-------------
You must smoke way too much marijuana. My auction terms clearly state I
sell only at auction and only through ebay --and never make private
deals such as you propose. You actually think that I would want to
become your wholesale farm fool? Do you have brain damage or just an
ego out of control because of the pot you smoke?
Do you really think I could lower my prices just so you can
make a profit off me? I have enough trouble making ends meet without
some business leech sucking up my plants. Buyers know that guys like you
rip people off with high markup prices. I sell at fair prices that
reflect the incredible (to you city folks) work it takes to farm plants.
Yet you actually think I would want to work for you? Are you so out of
touch with reality to think that I want some city person to take control
of the profits from my farm? Are you nuts?
Tyler: "You wanna buy some death sticks?"
Obi-Wan: "You don't want to sell me death sticks."
Tyler: "Uh, I don't wanna sell you deathsticks."
Obi-Wan: "You want to go home and rethink your life."
Tyler: "I wanna go home and rethink my life" |
 |
The website you boast you own is a reseller of potentially
poisonous drugs you buy from others. You know the dangers of ephedra (speed/heart attacks), the "death cap
mushroom" Amanita Pantherina that contains liver toxins, Belladonna (the Deadly nightshade), and Salvia Divinorum
-- an hallucinogen so nasty that it should be illegal. How many of your teenage customers were freaked out by
ingesting that stuff?
|
"All of the specimens...are provided for the scientific
research of ethnobotany and are absolutely not intended for human
consumption in any way! Some of the specimens are
considered toxic."
[BS]
Botanicals |
Scientific research? Do you actually think this warning absolves you
from responsibility? You know perfectly well, I believe, that your
"customers" are NOT scientists performing research but urban kids
looking for a thrill. You are like a hardware store selling glue,
solvents such as methyl
ethyl ketone and benzene --knowing that kids are buying them to inhale.
Have you ever known a glue head who had a brain aneurism? I knew one in
High School who had to have the entire top of his skull cut off so the
doctor could operate. You sell the death cap mushroom which has toxins
that kill liver cells. I've heard of people dying days after ingesting
Amanita Pantherina because their liver shut down. Any of your customers
need liver transplants?
There is a sense of greed inherent in your email that is offensive to me. You think I
am so stupid that I would allow a drug dealer such as yourself to make me his farm
laborer-- so he can re-sell my cactus to children?!
I know who you are and where you are. I banned you from buying last year because of your stated use for my
plants.
Anyone who tells me they intend to consume my plants is immediately banned
from purchasing on eBay. There are hundreds of dangerous
substances people are not supposed to consume. You seem to make a
business of providing as many poisons as you can --simply to
make money. You may get away with it on eBay but I will not be
associated with you.
Thank you so much for taking time, from running your excellent
corporation, to make this generous offer to me. After much soul
searching and long discussions with my cats we realized we cannot come
to an agreement with you.
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Compliment
January 27, 2008
Dear zircon6,
I have purchased a nice fat cutting from you a year and a half (or so)
ago. I had to move and leave it to my my brother who has taken excellent
care of it. it grew from 21" to about 60" he said and is doing great. I
believe my account name was different at that time.... anyway, just
dropping a line to say hello and thank you for the last quality piece I
bought. I hope my newly purchased cuttings will do as
nicely here. i bought the box that totaled 51" so I could start multiple
pots to fill my sun room with.
Take care!
Justin |
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Compliment
January 27, 2008
HELLO
I LOVE YOUR WEB SITE. LOTS OF GOOD INFO!!!! |
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Branching?
Thanks so much for your great cacti and fast shipping. I was wondering
if you could advise me on how to help a cactus to grow branches off of
the main column. I noticed one of my cacti appears to be growing a
branch out of a scarred area, is it a good idea to damage a perfectly
healthy cactus to make it grow new branches? Thanks!
Peter------------------
I know San Pedro only branch when they get 8 to 10 feet tall or so.
They have to get huge first, grown outside.
Other species just branch all the time--such as opuntia.
That's all I know about branching.
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