0
Cactus Gardening
All cactus plants are succulents, but not all succulents are cactus plants. Being able to tell the difference is one of the concerns in the cactus gardening section. Other questions to be asked and answered include the specifics of a cactus plant's adaptability, environmental impact, growing conditions, harmful stresses, native habitats, propagation methods, and value for people and wildlife.
918 Questions
A cactus can be found in its native habitat, in the Americas. It can be found in private, public and research collections. For example, it can be found in the displays of botanical gardens and in the laboratories of educational institutions. It can be found among the sale items of mail order and online businesses, nurseries, and plant stores. And it can be found in the yards, work places, and houses of residential gardeners.
The prickly pear cactus genus [Opuntia spp] numbers over 360 species. There's no such thing as a uniform description for or look to the genus' members. For example, their common names may range from prickly pear, to Indian fig, to cholla, to bunny ears. Their heights may range from a couple of inches or centimeters to nearly 20 feet/6 meters tall. Their shapes may resemble a series of fleshy pads that look like badminton rackets, as in the case of Opuntia lindheimeri. Or they may have branching stems, as is the case with Opuntia tunicata. Their weapons against predators may take the form of barbed spines, or bristled tufts.
But what they all share is their love for the sun's heat and light, their comfort as the dominant vegetation of their niches, and their aversionto overwatering or waterlogging. Additionally, they share a budding into vivid spring, summer and fall flowers. They also share an appearance after blossoming of green, purple or red fruits. The fruits have seeds, but they may or may not have edible or flavorful tastes.
Why is cactus hill called cactus hill?
From the Latin 'cactus' taken from the name 'cardoon' which is a type of prickly plant from Sicily (the Spanish Artichoke) Also from the Greek name Kaktos
What are treatments for cactus rash?
the Bayer herbicide is a good solution for most of the plant rashes therefore it is likely to work for the cactus rash too.
How do cactus plants adapt to their habitats?
Cactus plants adapt to their extreme habitats by specializing body parts and functions. For example, the roots concentrate on anchoring the plant and on capturing nutrients and water from the soil. The stem concentrates on processing and storing water, nutrient solutions, and energizing starches and sugars. It also concentrates on controlling breathing, gas exchanges, and water loss through its pores, or stomata. It concentrates too on the photosynthetic interaction with sunlight. And the modified leavesconcentrate on directing moisture down to the ground, to be taken in by the cactus' roots.
They have prickles to protect themselves.
How many arms can a saguaro have?
Sometime it can take several years. A minumum height of 5ft to 6 ft most will sproat an arm. One way to produce side growth in a short 2-3 months is to top cut the main stem then lateral growth with bu pushed.
From Mattslandscape.com the #1 jungle cacti source!
Why does not cactus survive in north?
no,a cactus can't survive in northpole because it will become frozen and it would die. Cactus can almostly survive in any climate. In northpole it is very cold and the cactus is not adapted to low temperatures. Cactus need warmth and in northpole there is freezing weather and freezing water, cactus can't survive in northpole.
Describe miliaria rubra type of prickly heat?
Is the most superficial of the occlusions. Only the thin upper layer of skin is affected. Little blisters of sweat that cannot escape to the surface form. Looks like a bad sunburn as it just starts to blister.
Can cacti survive in the tropics?
Cacti can live in the tropics, but they will probably die from too much water. Cacti retain water so if there is too much water, they basically drown. Tropics tend to have clay soil, and cacti need sand because of the way their roots grow and how the sand in the deserts retain the water, and clay might affect the cacti.
What is the germination of cactus plants?
- Germination
Cactus seeds are often distributed by birds, which are attracted to the fruit. Germination occurs in the presence of sufficient water and warm temperatures.
- Vegetative Growth
After seed germination it can take several months for the basic barrel shape of the cactus seedling to become visible. It takes five to 10 years for small species to reach flowering size.
Flowering
If there has been sufficient rainfall, flowering occurs in most species during the spring, once temperatures are warm enough.
- Pollination
Most cacti are self-sterile, requiring pollen from a different individual plant. Depending on the cactus species, bees, wasps, beetles, butterflies, moths, birds and bats can pollinate cactus flowers.
- Fruit Formation
Cactus fruits are seed-filled berries. They form at the base of the flowers and are often brightly colored and sweet to attract birds.
- Forced Flowering
In cultivation, cactus plants can sometimes be induced to flower by keeping them in a dark place for up to six weeks and then providing light and water.
What kind of relationship does a cactus wren have with cholla cacti?
The cactus wren nests in cholla crevasses as well as suguaros and a couple of other desert plants
How do you tell how old a cactus is?
It's impossible to come up with a precise age for a giant saguaro cactus [Carnegiea gigantea]. In fact, guesstimating ages just can't be done regarding any type of cactus. So much depends upon the individual cactus and upon environmental conditions. But a saguaro cactus that has at least one branching arm and that flowers, fruits, and seeds is at least 40 years old. Not one of the preceding activities takes place for a saguaro before that age. Additionally, it tends to reach its mature height of 40 feet/12 meters in around 60 years.
What is the tallest type of cactus?
The tallest type of cactus is the giant saguaro cactus.
From 17wolf359:
Actually, there are a number of cacti that are either as tall or taller than the saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea). Here are just a few: Cephalocereus, Neobuxbaumia, Neocardensia (now Neoraimondia), Cereus, Trichocereus (now Echinopsis), Isolatocereus, and Pachycereus. The largest cacti in terms of height and weight are Pachycereus, and the largest of that genus are P. pringlei, P. weberii, P. militaris, and the largest cactus on the planet, P. grandis.
The saguaro is just the best known of the large cacti and if you have ever seen one, they are very impressive, as are all of the large cacti!
If they are soft it could be rot which means it has too much water and needs to be dryed out quickly, if the blotches are hard it could be the start of sunburn and so just move it out of the sun.
How do prickly pear cactus plants survive?
The main way by which the prickly pear cactus [Opuntiaspp] survives is through growing low to the ground. It does so as a plant that sports prickly pads, or as one that has low branching arms. This particular growth pattern decreases the distance that drops of moisture travel from the plant's modified leaves to the ground, for intake by the plant's roots. It thereby decreases the time during which that precious moisture is exposed to the evaporation possibilities inherent in any interaction with the desert's bright, hot sunlight.
This particular growth pattern also shades the ground immediately around and below the cactus. It cools the soil. Consequently, less encouragement is given to evaporation of water that's on or close to the soil surface. So the measure is a move that conserves water.
Another important survival strategy is through growing jointed pads or branching arms. The joints may break off and fall to the ground, where they root and thereby form other prickly pear cactus plants. The result may be the formation of an entire community where once there was only one prickly pear cactus.
Still another survival trick is through growing defensive body parts. The prickly pear cactus has modified leaves in the form of barbed spines on the pads, and bristled tufts on the branching arms. Either way, the spines and the bristles discourage predators. They also direct any available moisture - be it dew, fog or rain - to the ground, for intake by the plant's roots.
They vary in size from species to species and my be the size of nails or like small hairs.
How many types of cacti are there?
There are something on the order of 2,000 different species of cactus. Those plant taxonomists who identify them are still sorting a few out, but that number is close. Links can be found below to check facts and gather more information.
Just water............I think. I learnt about them in Biology and I think she said just water but check if you don't believe me.
Is the prickly pear cactus native to south Texas?
The prickly pear cactus was chosen as Texas's state plant because there are more than 4 species of cacti in the american southwest
How can you help a sick cactus?
There are anumber of pests and diseases that cacti can be affected by, and without the details it is hard to tell. Usually, problems are caused by overwatering, lack of sun, low temperatures and a variety of pests.
To help you work out what the problem might be, check the Web Links to the left for more information.
What are the special features of a barrel cactus?
Barrel cacti, primarily found in arid regions of North America, are characterized by their distinctive cylindrical shape and ribbed surface, which helps reduce water loss. They typically have a waxy coating that further aids in retaining moisture and are adorned with vibrant flowers that bloom during the warmer months. Another unique feature is their ability to store water in their thick, fleshy tissues, allowing them to survive prolonged droughts. Additionally, many barrel cacti have spines that provide protection from herbivores and help collect dew or rainwater.
How does the saguaro cactus store water?
As is the case with all living organisms, a cactus plant can't live without water. Specifically, it needs water to take in the nutrients that it needs to live. Minerals and trace elements in the soil only can be taken in dissolved form by a plant's roots. No water means no nutrients.
Additionally, the dissolved nutrients are needed for the photosynthetic interaction with sunlight. Sunlight and dissolved nutrients yield energizing photosynthetic products such as starches and sugars. So no nutrients means no photosynthetic products and therefore no life sustaining activities within a cactus plant.
