Succulent and Cacti Stores Near MeInspiration > SucculentsFinally got bitten by the succulent bug? That’s great! Welcome! It was only a matter of time. With just how popular these beauties have become, it’s impossible not to get sucked into their world.This (popularity) also means that owning one isn’t so hard. There are stores near you with these succulent and cacti. Curious as to how to go about this?It’s an easy fete: typing something like “succulent and cacti stores near me” is sure to give you more than enough options in or near your area.But as you probably already know, the wide variety of succulents can be a bit of a bother trying to settle on a few. Of course, that’s assuming you don’t have any particular types in mind. Even then, a couple of do’s and don’ts can help you in making an informed decision.First, the dos.Assorted succulent displayed in a store @costarorchidstropicalsYour Checklist When Hunting for New Succulents1. Multiple plantsNot always possible, but why not try.You may be lucky to land a single container with several plants in it. This is a steal because it means you’ll get a few more additional plants for the price of one. You can always plant them in separate pots once you’re home.2. Healthy plants onlyIt seems like a no-brainer, but then it’s just as important to point out. Avoid plants that show any signs of disease or pest attack – or just general unhealthy growth.Discoloration and mushy leaves and stems are just some of the indicators of a succulent you should avoid. Also, skip plants with broken leaves or stems.3. New to the game? Go for larger plantsIt’s generally accepted that succulents are easy to nurture. But that doesn’t mean they lack their own set of demands.And when you’re working with smaller, less developed ones, it’s possible to err, especially for a green thumb. Solution?Get sizeable plants. These a bit more developed and will, therefore, withstand a few caring slip-ups.4. Hard or soft succulentsAsk if the succulent you’re purchasing is hard or soft. This will help you’ll handle it later on during winter, and whether to plant it indoors or outdoors. The easiest way of determining whether a succulent is hard or soft is by knowing your USDA hardiness zone.Different succulent plants on a table @cacti.cactiWhat to AvoidSteer clear of the following if you wish to start your baby on good ground.1. Regular potting soilRegular potting soil has poor drainage. Succulents don’t enjoy this. Use a commercial cacti/succulent mix instead. It drains faster, allowing your plants to enjoy the dry medium they’ve adapted to.2. OvercrowdingIf you get your babies in clusters, be sure to break them up – gently. Leaving them in the crowded state is not a good idea at all. That’s because of the following:Some of them will not get enough lightThere will be unhealthy competition for nutrients which means some plants will not thrive as they shouldCrowding provides perfect hideouts for pests3. Growing an outdoor succulent indoors and vice versaThis all comes down to knowing your USDA hardiness zone and comparing it to that of the plant. If your zone is higher than that of the plant, you can grow the succulent outside. It means it can handle the low temperatures in your area come winter.Anything contrary to this and you’ll end up with a rotting mass of tissue once winter wraps up – for soft succulents grown outdoors.4. Placing your indoor succulent just about anywhere you pleaseIt’s understandable: you’re looking to achieve a certain appeal to your room. And placing the succulent in that spot will give you just that.But will the succulent be getting enough light? You might have to re-think your decision if you answered no. Post navigation7 Beginner tips for growing succulentsConnect with us on social!PinterestTwitterInstagramYouTubeFacebook
Jumping Cholla Cactus (Cylindropuntia Fulgida)GuidesYou may have seen this hairy megaflora shimmering in a golden-brown glow of the hot desert sunset. It has a lazy stem, like an old man trying to stand straight with multiple branches concealed under thousands of spikes upon spikes upon spikes. It has a reputation for being one of the most terrifying foliage in the world, causing woe and pain to any creature that dares cross its path. This is a close-up moment with Cylindropuntia fulgida.Stretching across the arid plains of the Sonoran Desert to parts of the Colorado Desert in South West USA, the Cylindropuntia fulgida grows wildly, stretching its roots to altitudes about 4000 ft above sea level. There are about 30 different species of cacti belonging to the genus Cylindropuntia, with the Fulgida being the most feared. There are about 30 different species of cacti @labrujaitzelCylindropuntia FulgidaThe Cylindropuntia fulgida is an arborescent plant, meaning it takes the shape of a tree. It has a main cylindrical trunk that holds multiple, low drooping branches. It grows to a height between 6 and 15 ft tall and 8 ft in diameter, and the entire plant is covered in wart-like projections.Instead of having leaves, the Cylindropuntia fulgida has 0.5 to 1-inch long spines coming out of areoles. There are about 6 to 12 spines in every areole, and the spines have a paper-thin sheath that reflects light, illuminating the plant in silver, gold, white, or tan hues. These spines have a double duty to the plant; to protect it from hungry herbivores and to act as a shield, preventing the plant from overheating in the desert sun.Jumping Cholla CactusDuring February and March, Cylindropuntia fulgida blossoms yellow-green flowers at the edges of the branches. After each flowering season, the plant produces a red, pear-shaped fruit that looks wrinkled and is spotted with a few spines. These fruits have been lifesavers for bighorn sheep and certain deer species, especially during drought seasons.The fruits grow off the same stalk every year, creating a hanging fruit chain that can get up to 2 feet long. This fruit string gives this plant the colloquial names Hanging Chain Cholla, Chain Fruit Cholla, Cholla Brincadora, Velas de Coyote, and Boxing Glove Cholla. This cactus is also known as Jumping Cholla Cactus from the ease at which the thorny stems break off or ‘jump’ on anything that passes by.Check out another member of the cacti family in “Giant Barrel Cactus – Echinocactus Platyacanthus” and find another addition to your cacti garden.Jumping Cholla In The DesertSpiky on the Outside, As Well as the InsideAs if the sharp spikes were not enough to dissuade you from going near the plant, the spikes of the Cylindropuntia fulgida are hollow and have barbs called glochids. When these indented spines attach themselves to any place or surface with moisture, for example, the skin, the glochids curve once they have made contact, interlocking their spines underneath the surface of the skin. Just the thought of it makes you want to wince in pain and agony.A Challenger For Green ThumbsAs absolutely insane as this plant sounds, it can be the showstopper to break the usual garden plant monotony. The one thing that Cylindropuntia fulgida is picky about is the type of soil it grows in.This cactus prefers soil with pH levels of between 6.0 and 7.5. Too much acidity or alkalinity in the soil will destroy the roots of the plant. The soil must also be well-draining, because like other succulents, the Cylindropuntia fulgida is very susceptible to root rot.The Cylindropuntia fulgida is a hard-core, drought-resistant cactus that loves to spend at least 6 hours a day in direct sunlight. This water-once-and-forget-about-it plant does well with short, infrequent drinks of water during the summer and an occasional spritz during winter. When you want to get the best out of your Cylindropuntia fulgida, you could treat your plant to a granular fertilizer that is formulated for succulents and cacti, or good quality, water-soluble fertilizer.Try some of our picks out for your cactus!Sale Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix - Premium Pre-Mixed... Professional Bonsai Fertilizer - Rich in Organic &... Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Soil Gritty Mix... Last update on 2020-01-29 / AmazonNext time you are roaming around the desert, keep your eye out for this spiky little creature because wherever it lands if there is moisture, it will immediately start to grow. As mother always said, be careful, don’t bring home strangers!Thank you for reading! Be sure to check out similar articles from the cacti species like “Giant Barrel Cactus – Echinocactus Platyacanthus” or even “Mysterious Christmas Cactus – Schlumbergera Bridgesii“.If you’d like this read you’re going to love our full in-depth ebooks! With so many of our succulent lovers asking for more, we listened and can’t wait to share it with you here! With our very detailed ebooks, you’ll get more information than these short articles, some ebooks are 30+ pages, perfect for a weekend read.Happy Planting! 🌵 Post navigation7 Cold Hardy Succulents You Didn’t Know AboutHow To Make A Fairy Garden With Succulents
How Fast Do Cacti Grow?Most succulents are slow growers, but cacti may be the slowest! Most species of cacti grow slowly—even the ones that get huge like saguaros. It can take a saguaro up to ten years to become just an inch tall. That’s a long time for such little growth! So if you’ve had your cactus for a few years and you’ve barely seen it grow, don’t worry—that’s completely normal! You’re not a bad plant parent, and you’re not taking care of your cactus wrong. Even cacti that are well taken care of will only grow about an inch taller each year unless you have one of the rare few species that grow quickly. If you want to know why your cactus is such a slow grower and what you might be able to do to support its growth, then keep reading! Cactus growing in a black pot @cactusmagazineWhy Cacti Grow Slowly Soil and climatic conditionsFor cacti, slow growth is a matter of survival. In the desert, water and nutrients are incredibly scarce. It barely rains, and the soil is dry and almost infertile. Plants need water and nutrients from the ground to carry out photosynthesis, so the fact that cacti get so little of both means they can’t grow very much. Cacti have also adapted to focus their limited resources on survival rather than sprouting lots of new growth. They conserve water and resources so that they can survive through long periods of drought and extreme heat. Check out “The Rounded Ball Cactus— Parodia Magnifica” for a fun look at an amazing type of cacti you can take home with you.Cactus growing outdoors @mallachtsplantsLack of leavesAnother reason why cacti grow so slowly is that they don’t have leaves. Plants transpire through their leaves. About 99% of the water absorbed by a plant’s roots evaporates through its leaves. So if cacti had leaves, they definitely wouldn’t be able to grow in the desert! One downside of not having leaves is that it limits their ability to soak up the sun and convert it into food through photosynthesis. Plants with big, broad leaves have more green tissue, which means they have more chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the chemical that makes plant tissue green, and it’s also a vital part of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll can soak up energy from the sun and convert it into glucose, which primarily plants’ food. Plants are then able to utilize that glucose for energy and growth. Because cacti only have stems and not leaves, they have less green tissue and less chlorophyll than other plants. This limits their ability to soak up the sun and convert it into food that they can use to grow. Cacti have spines and sometimes wool on their stems that shade them from the sun, which likely limits their ability to soak up the sun even more. No wonder they grow so slowly! Aerial view of cacti growing in pots @plantadictosStomata in cactiAnother adaptation that slows down their growth is their stomata. Stomata are the pores found on the surface of all plants that allow them to take in carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is needed to carry out photosynthesis, so for a plant to grow quickly, it needs to take in a fair bit of carbon dioxide.Whenever plants open up their stomata to take in carbon dioxide, though, some of the water in their leaves evaporates. Cacti couldn’t survive in the desert if they lost lots of water through their stomata, so they’ve adapted to have fewer stomata than other plants. Because they have fewer stomata, they can’t take in as much carbon dioxide, further limiting their ability to carry out photosynthesis. All the adaptations that make cacti cool, distinctive plants are the reason why they can’t grow as fast as other plants. Bummer, right?cacti mounted on a wall @planter_meCan I Make My Cactus Grow Faster? We bet that you get a little impatient waiting for your cactus to grow—we certainly do! We’ve spent a lot of time researching how to make cacti grow faster. And unfortunately, we’ve learned that there’s not a whole lot that you can do to speed up your plant’s growth without potentially harming it. Can fertilizer help?If you give your cactus extra fertilizer or water to try to speed up its growth, it can develop several defects. Giving your cactus too much water could actually cause its skin to split. Cacti have adapted to soak up as much water as possible whenever it rains and store it in their cells. They’ll try to soak up all the water you give them, even if their cells aren’t big enough to fit all of it. This can cause their skin to split as their cells and tissues bulge from all the extra water, which will create an unsightly scar when it heals. Be sure you also check out “5 Dangers Of Overwatering A Cactus” to see all possible dangers of too much watering.Cacti also don’t respond well if you give them extra fertilizer. Their new growth will often be deformed, which ruins their appearance. This especially happens with columnar cacti. Their new growth is much more significant and more circular than the growth below it, so it looks like a big round ball is sitting on top of your cute, skinny cactus! They also become very top-heavy and can even fall over if they get this way, so you don’t want to overfeed your columnar cacti to speed up their growth. What about watering?You should only water your cacti about once every two weeks when the soil is completely dry. They don’t need much fertilizer either—feeding them once or twice during their growing season will probably be enough given the fact that they’re used to infertile desert soil. But you can safely fertilize your cactus about once every month or two during its active growing season without harming it. Just don’t start fertilizing it every week!Check out our guide “How Often To Water Cactus” for all things watering when it comes to taking care of your cactus plant.Thorny cactus plant @sibosunkaktusukulentiWhich Species of Cacti Grow the Fastest? If you love to see your plant babies grow as we do, then you might want to get a species of cacti that are known for growing faster than the rest. We’ve heard from other succulent gardeners that Cereus and Trichocereus cacti are particularly fast growers. Pilosocereus cacti, a beautiful genus of blue cacti, are also known for being pretty fast growers. Go check out the article we just wrote about them to learn more! It’s a bit of a bummer that most cacti grow slowly, but trust us—their growth is worth waiting for! Also, be sure to check out “Totem Pole Cactus (Pachycereus Schottii Monstrosus)” for another type of cactus to get you excited over.Potted cactus plant @succulent.proWe hope that this article has answered all your questions about how fast cacti grow. But if not, feel free to leave your questions below or ask them in our awesome community of succulent lovers, the Succulent City Plant Lounge. Did this article help answer your succulent-care questions? We sure hope so! If not, no worries. Succulent City is devoted to aiding all succulent lovers, and that’s why we created a line of ebook guides! Check out our in-depth tips on “Essential Tools for Planting the Best Succulents” or even “The Most Common Issues Amongst Succulent Growers” today!Happy Planting! 🌵 Post navigationGiant Barrel Cactus – Echinocactus PlatyacanthusWhat is Proplifting? (Newbie Friendly Guide)
Giant Barrel Cactus – Echinocactus PlatyacanthusReviewsAt first sight of echinocactus platyacanthus, you will automatically fall in love with it. Their flowers and stem will leave you awe-stricken. Whether you are looking for succulent to plant indoors or in your garden, then you can never go wrong with giant barrel cactus. The plant originates from Mexico and is the largest of the barrel cacti species. They are diurnal, tubular, and yellow flowers hence offer a magnificent sight. The fruits come in different colors of yellow, purplish, orange, and at times fragrance and bloom during summer. In Mexico, people use their hair for weaving. The stems are grayish blue, offering a warm look. Well, this article covers everything you need to know about giant barrel cactus. Read on to get the insights.Giant barrel cactus planted outdoors @raulmaldonadobritoHow to Care and Grow Echinocactus platyacanthusTo grow this magnificent plant, you have to be cautious. The plant is vulnerable, and you need a lot of care to make it bloom and flourish excellently. The seeds take a long time to fully develop, five years or more to reach the size of a soccer ball, and 20 years to reach the size of a peach ball. You require lots of patience. But, there’s no need to worry. You can acquire a larger version of the plant at your local nursery. The following are some conditions you need to consider when taking care of them:1. WaterThe barrel cactus doesn’t require a lot of water during their growth. But, during the first week of planting or repotting, you need to water it generously. Also, you should water the plant when the soil begins to dry. Also, you should avoid doing it entirely before or during winter. Overwatering the plant would destroy it and make it rot.2. LightSucculents love the sun, and the giant barrel cactus is not an exception. Ensure they get enough light, but not too much of it to prevent them from elongating.3. SoilA well-draining soil serves plant justice. When planting in a pot, mix compost, a little topsoil, and perlite in the bottom of the container, place sand lastly, water once in a week.You can also take advantage of this amazing succulent soil we found just for you.4. HumidityThe giant barrel cactus requires moderate humidity. Exposing the plant to high humidity would make it rot. 5. FertilizerThey do not require lots of nutrients to thrive and use low liquid nitrogen fertilizer on the plant. The amount of fertilizer depends on the size of the pot. During summer and spring, fertilize once in a period of 10 to 15 days.6. PottingTo plant in a pot, ensure that your pot should be larger than the roots balls of the cactus.If you are replanting, it’s essential to repot every 2-3 years. Lastly, handle it gently when moving to avoid damaging the roots.Top view of giant barrel cactus in a pot @cactolico_Tips for Planting Indoor Giant Barrel CactusYou need to be cautious when you opt for this plant as part of your décor. There are lots of dangers involved; hence, little details like the environment, space, and how to take care of it matters. You should place them in a strategic position, to avoid incurring accidents. With the sharp spikes, put them out of reach of children and be careful to avoid being pricked.Unlike other types of succulents, giant barrel cactus requires extreme care and tolerance. Unfortunately, it’s hard to realize when this plant is experiencing some problems. Giant barrel cactus dies inside out, and it can take you several months before you notice this. Usually, it starts disintegrating from its cores.Sometimes, the succulent can occasionally be infested by bugs or scale, although it’s rare. This can happen when you move the plant to an environment that suppresses its growth and weakens the defense. Use a spray or insecticidal spray to get rid of the pests. The knowledge of this indoor plant would lead to healthier, fleshier, and adorable succulents.Not an expert yet in taking care of succulents? No worries, be sure to read “7 Best Succulents for Beginners” for a list of easy to maintain succulents.Tips for Planting Giant Barrel Cactus Outdoors Spacing- when incorporating barrel cactus with other plants, you need to leave space a little bigger than twice the circumference of the cactus.To facilitate proper drainage, use quartz sand or gravel on the surrounding topsoil of the cactusTo prevent hollow space, tamp the soil surrounding the plants.Several giant barrel cacti planted on the floor @danjo_koumutenAdvantages of Planting Echinocactus platyacanthusGiant barrel cactus has numerous benefits. Some of which include:1. They are drought resistantNo matter the season or the condition, nothing can prevent this plant from growing since it can survive in harsh weather conditions.2. They live longYes, they can exist for up to 100 years and sometimes more. They sometimes grow to a height of 7 meters or longer and more than 1.5 meters in diameter.3. They are beautifulMost succulents are impressive if not all. But, the beauty of giant barrel cactus is unmatched. Either way, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.4. They are easy to growThey require little amounts of water are drought resistant, and they don’t need much of your attentionMake sure you go check out more from the cacti family like “The Soft Monkey Tail Cactus” or “Blooming Beauty: Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii)“. Learn more about these interesting types of cacti.Giant barrel cactus with beautiful thorns @onlineshop_gloria Giant barrel cactus, are species of one of a kind. Planting them in your garden or your home would ensure you achieve the beauty you desire. Remember to put on gloves when you are handling them. Lastly, patience and little care would give you the results you want. After all, great things come to those who wait.Thank you for reading! Loved learning about this succulent and now inspired to add more to your collection?! (We don’t blame you) Check out Succulent City’s new line of ebooks covering topics from, “All the Types of Succulents for Indoor and Outdoor,” “Different Types of Planters,” and many more helpful in-depth ebooks. Head to this link to view our full line of ebooks and get started with our complimentary guide. Happy Planting! 🌵 Post navigationMysterious Christmas Cactus – Schlumbergera BridgesiiHow Fast Do Cacti Grow?
Mysterious Christmas Cactus – Schlumbergera BridgesiiGuides > Indoor Succulents / Types of CactiYou have to agree that this is an instant love at first sight for succulent lovers. However, its mystery is what attracts most of its lovers.From botanists, gardeners, to the typical plant lovers (in this case succulent lovers), the mysterious Christmas cactus is fast becoming a household name. Its magical nature sells the plant as one of the most amazing succulents for home decor.This is a detailed guide that unravels the mysteries of a real Christmas cactus. What is it like? Its origin, mysteries, how to get the best of it…. Much awaits you (like father Christmas candies) if you only keep on reading.The Mystery of Christmas Cactus @_mygreenworldThe Origin of Mysterious Christmas CactusThe best way to unravel any mystery is to understand where it has its roots.Schlumbergera bridgesii originates from the mighty Amazonian rain forests of Brazil. The holiday bloomer hails from the Zygocactus genus or Schlumbergera according to its name. The genus is home to only six species of which the bridgesii is one of them.Thus absolute beauty was discovered in the mid-1800s by a scientist called Charles Lemaire. The plant has its name from the famous cacti collector from France, Frederic Schlumberger.Take a look at another holiday cactus like the “Thanksgiving Cactus – Schlumbergera Truncata” for more fun from the cacti species.How Mysterious is The Christmas Cactus?In its native home in Brazil, the plant is christened “Flor de Maio.” It is where it gains its fame to be a mystery for most of its growers, and it is all about the blooming time.Most cacti lovers assume that Schlumbergera blooms during Christmas hence its name Christmas cactus. To your surprise, this is never the case. The Schlumbergera genus is made up of holiday bloomers. The most confusing bloom closer or during Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving holidays.So after all, the Christmas cactus blooms during Christmas. Its siblings from the Schlumbergera family host its mystery.Take a look at “9 Types of Cacti” for our list of fun cacti types for you to have in your home.A Cactus for Your Christmas @_mygreenworldWhat Does the Mysterious Christmas Cactus Look Like?To completely unravel the mystery, we need to understand the plant’s physical appearance. In the end, you will find that it is a beautiful house plant from its looks.The hardest hurdle to getting the real color of any holiday bloomer is the amount of propagation that it undergoes. The six bloomers take several colors ranging from magenta, pink, to white, and even some are bicolor. It is unfair to mention that the plant is one of the easiest to propagate.The Christmas cactus is leafless with flat, segmented and slightly spiked stems. You will find its beautiful flowers that are red, pink or white in most cases emanating from an areola on its stem.To quickly tell the Christmas cactus from the rest of the holiday bloomers, take a closer look at its stems. They are less spiked.Looking for more rare kinds of cacti? Check out “The Rounded Ball Cactus— Parodia Magnifica” for more.Blooming the Christmas CactusWell, there is more mystery to unraveled than what you already know about this fantastic cactus so far so good.What Comes into Your Mind When You Hear of ‘Cactus’?As most of us would have never imagined, the Christmas cactus has its origin in the Amazon, think of the biggest rivers, and the highest rainfall amounts. In short, no desert-like climates where you find the thorned cactus.Bloom Your Christmas Cactus @hnevvvDoes this Affect How it Blooms? How do You Care For it for Those Scintillating Flowers to Burst Out?Christmas is winter time(well, not everywhere on earth). Winter is cold and so does the Christmas cactus hate hot environments. Avoid exposing it to hot air or direct sunlight. Its beautiful foliage can quickly turn into an eyesore.Keep the plant exposed to bright light (probably next to your window). However, remember not directly under the sun. You can get it near the north or west-facing window or easier done, get a light-diffusing semi-transparent curtain. drainUnlike other cacti, maintain a humid environment for this zygocactus mystery. The optimum humidity levels range between 50-60%.The Christmas cactus is a long-living plant which makes it a great gift to be passed from generation to generation. Do not commit a crime of killing this beauty by letting its roots swimming in too much water. They can easily rot. Go for pots and soils that drain the water optimally.Fertilizers work magic when it comes to growing indoor bloomers. Consider applying some fertilizer to a 2-3 week old plant. The process can also be done up to four times annually with breaks smashed four weeks before its blooming period.Water your plant at least weakly during winter and 2-3 times a week when its a hot and dry summer season. Check the soil water retention(with your hand) any time before watering and only water if the top layer is dry.Beautiful Cacti Species @oneofthejessiesCan you confess your love for housing succulents? They are all juicy and beautiful to look at while adding more life to your interiors. But wait until you have your Christmas cactus. Christmas will never be Christmas again until you see the blossoms of a succulent queen.Thank you for reading! Be sure to check out similar articles on the cacti species like “5 Dangers Of Overwatering A Cactus” or even “The Beautiful Blue Cacti—Pilosocereus“.If you’d like this read you’re going to love our full in-depth ebooks! With so many of our succulent lovers asking for more, we listened and can’t wait to share it with you here! With our very detailed ebooks, you’ll get more information than these short articles, some ebooks are 30+ pages, perfect for a weekend read.Happy Planting! 🌵 Post navigationHow Big Do Air Plants Grow?Giant Barrel Cactus – Echinocactus Platyacanthus
