Wednesday, January 31. 2007
Cactus Theft
Tucson has had Saguaro thefts. From the Arizona Republic comes a report of citizens trying to take action, and you can help:
Environmental groups have had it with cactus crooks. They're offering a reward to help catch whoever is digging up and stealing saguaros on the west side of Tucson.
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the Arizona Native Plant Society and the Center for Biological Diversity are offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the cactus thieves.
There have been two incidents recently.
One occurred on private property near Tucson Mountain Park and the other at Saguaro National Park.
Anyone with information about the incidents can call 88-CRIME.
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the Arizona Native Plant Society and the Center for Biological Diversity are offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the cactus thieves.
There have been two incidents recently.
One occurred on private property near Tucson Mountain Park and the other at Saguaro National Park.
Anyone with information about the incidents can call 88-CRIME.
Monday, January 29. 2007
Delicious
There's a new restaurant in Seattle serving cactus, because it's delicious.
I know that you'd think I wouldn't want you eating your cactus, but we grow them for you to enjoy any way you can. There are purported health benefits too. And did I mention they're delicious? Some recipes here.
Are there any foods that you think Seattleites should be eating more of?
I want to introduce the people of Seattle to cactus—we have cactus salsa, cactus salads, cactus in a lot of our dishes. There are lots of vitamins in cactus. It cleans out your system. People in Mexico who have diabetes eat a lot of cactus, and it helps them.
El Quetzal, 3209 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA
I want to introduce the people of Seattle to cactus—we have cactus salsa, cactus salads, cactus in a lot of our dishes. There are lots of vitamins in cactus. It cleans out your system. People in Mexico who have diabetes eat a lot of cactus, and it helps them.
El Quetzal, 3209 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA
I know that you'd think I wouldn't want you eating your cactus, but we grow them for you to enjoy any way you can. There are purported health benefits too. And did I mention they're delicious? Some recipes here.
Sunday, January 28. 2007
Sunday Morning Cactus Festival Video Blogging
Rufus Wainwright - Sans Souci - Cactus Festival (Belgium)
Saturday, January 27. 2007
Cactus and Wine
Here's a lovely Mammillaria bloom photo.
Via Jardinagens, a site about cactus and wine, a good combination so long as you tend your cactus before you drink your wine.
Original photo by ezlost.
Via Jardinagens, a site about cactus and wine, a good combination so long as you tend your cactus before you drink your wine.
Original photo by ezlost.
They Get Questions
The Contra Costa Times tackles a tricky subject:
My take on this issue after the break...
Q I read your answer to question about Hoodia. The use of Hoodia extract as an appetite suppressant is certainly quite interesting; however, I do have a few comments on your column. The genus Hoodia is a member of the flowering plant family Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae. Often, members of this group are referred to as Stapeliads by succulent enthusiasts, after the most commonly grown genus, Stapelia. These are essentially African succulents and are not remotely related to the Cactaceae of the new world. Cacti are simply not found in Africa. The term Cactus describes members of the family Cactaceae and, as such, is scientifically descriptive, regardless of common misuse. Describing Hoodia gordonii as a cactus is a little like describing a pineapple as a member of the orange family. On a similar note, the genus Aloe is not in the extremely large and diverse family Apocynaceae. For what it's worth, Aloe is usually described as being in the family Asphodelaceae, although there is some debate. Sure, calling something a cactus when it isn't has little bearing on the use of Hoodia extracts, but it does propagate commonly held misconceptions in a very prominent place.
A Thank you for this. The scientific resources I consulted used the incorrect "cactus" characterization for hoodia, and I followed their lead without checking. I apologize for this oversight. There may be "cactus-looking" plants in Africa, but, as you point out, they are merely succulents that have taken on their cactus facade as an adaptation to their environment. I have passed the correct information up the line, but I wanted to post your more accurate description here.
A Thank you for this. The scientific resources I consulted used the incorrect "cactus" characterization for hoodia, and I followed their lead without checking. I apologize for this oversight. There may be "cactus-looking" plants in Africa, but, as you point out, they are merely succulents that have taken on their cactus facade as an adaptation to their environment. I have passed the correct information up the line, but I wanted to post your more accurate description here.
My take on this issue after the break...
Continue reading "They Get Questions"
New Laws
Fox11 Arizona has the story:
It just goes to show...
Like any other state, Arizona does have some odd laws.
For instance, hunting camels is illegal.
The U.S. Army experimented with camels in the Arizona desert and the camels were set free. Now they are protected.
Another odd law is there is a possible 25-year sentence for cutting down a cactus.
The saguaro is endangered so the law was passed to protect the cactus.
And finally, it is illegal to refuse someone a glass of water.
With temperatures reaching 120 degrees, restaurants and businesses must grant the request if someone asks for a glass of water or they will face heavy fines.
Convenience stores primarily uphold this law.
For instance, hunting camels is illegal.
The U.S. Army experimented with camels in the Arizona desert and the camels were set free. Now they are protected.
Another odd law is there is a possible 25-year sentence for cutting down a cactus.
The saguaro is endangered so the law was passed to protect the cactus.
And finally, it is illegal to refuse someone a glass of water.
With temperatures reaching 120 degrees, restaurants and businesses must grant the request if someone asks for a glass of water or they will face heavy fines.
Convenience stores primarily uphold this law.
It just goes to show...
Friday, January 26. 2007
We Get Questions
More questions about winter.
Q: Hi,
i bought a monadenium ritcheil from you which i just discovered had a rotting piece. don't know what you would call it but one of its sections, or little protrusion thingies (how's that for techno talk) was soft and water logged. so i removed it to find that it was mushy even further down and so i took a knife and cut away all the mush till i cam to pretty solid stuff. so now i have this section cut out of the thing. doesn't look too bad cause it isn't that big but it is a small gapping wound and was wondering if i did the right thing and if there is something i should do to protect the open area. I know its hard to judge these things without seeing the patient, but your best guess would be helpful until i find the time to bring her/him in.
Ellen
A: Ellen,
It sounds like you did the right thing by cutting away the infected stem. You should treat the wound with regular household hydrogen-peroxide to clean and sterilize. You can use a "Q-tip" dipped in it or put some in a spray bottle and just squirt the wound. Treat it two or three times over a few days and it should heal up quickly. While it is healing keep the plant warm and dry. Do not water for three to four weeks, Monadenium like to be dry in the winter.
Hap
Q: Hi,
i bought a monadenium ritcheil from you which i just discovered had a rotting piece. don't know what you would call it but one of its sections, or little protrusion thingies (how's that for techno talk) was soft and water logged. so i removed it to find that it was mushy even further down and so i took a knife and cut away all the mush till i cam to pretty solid stuff. so now i have this section cut out of the thing. doesn't look too bad cause it isn't that big but it is a small gapping wound and was wondering if i did the right thing and if there is something i should do to protect the open area. I know its hard to judge these things without seeing the patient, but your best guess would be helpful until i find the time to bring her/him in.
Ellen
A: Ellen,
It sounds like you did the right thing by cutting away the infected stem. You should treat the wound with regular household hydrogen-peroxide to clean and sterilize. You can use a "Q-tip" dipped in it or put some in a spray bottle and just squirt the wound. Treat it two or three times over a few days and it should heal up quickly. While it is healing keep the plant warm and dry. Do not water for three to four weeks, Monadenium like to be dry in the winter.
Hap
Friday Whippet Blogging
Benjamin has been on vacation with Jax and Amica. All is good.
Thursday, January 25. 2007
An Older Story
Back in December, apparently someone used a Saguaro as a giant Menorah for Hanukkah. The Arizona Republic tells the story:
Pictures weren't included, sorry to say.
Kline, a member of the Har Zion Congregation, says he noticed it one day as he was outside, enjoying his yard.
"I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it before," he said. "I said to my wife, 'We have a menorah in the front yard.' "
Kline's menorah is a healthy, 30-foot saguaro cactus with a central trunk and eight arms. Kline decorates each tip with 100 yellow twinkle lights, then lights one for each night of Hanukkah. Dec. 22 will be the eighth night, when the entire cactus is lit.
"I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it before," he said. "I said to my wife, 'We have a menorah in the front yard.' "
Kline's menorah is a healthy, 30-foot saguaro cactus with a central trunk and eight arms. Kline decorates each tip with 100 yellow twinkle lights, then lights one for each night of Hanukkah. Dec. 22 will be the eighth night, when the entire cactus is lit.
Pictures weren't included, sorry to say.
Wednesday, January 24. 2007
More on Utah
More on the Endangered Pariette Cactus in Utah, from the Daily Herald:
The groups say a proposal to double the number of oil wells in the area where the cactus is found threaten its existence.
The Pariette was originally thought to be a form of another species, the Uinta Basin hookless cactus, which is already listed under the Endangered Species Act. But in 1996, scientists decided Pariette was a separate species.
Fish and Wildlife will officially determine whether the hookless cactus is actually three different species, including the Pariette, and whether the Pariette deserves its own Endangered Species Act protection, said Diane Katzenberger, a spokeswoman for the service.
The service should have a decision on both by the end of next year, Katzenberger said Thursday.
Advocates for the plant say the there are only about 4,000 Pariette cacti in the world, found only in a single 10-mile by 3-mile drainage in the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah. The fragile cactus has a spiny round base and grows shiny, purple blooms.
The Pariette was originally thought to be a form of another species, the Uinta Basin hookless cactus, which is already listed under the Endangered Species Act. But in 1996, scientists decided Pariette was a separate species.
Fish and Wildlife will officially determine whether the hookless cactus is actually three different species, including the Pariette, and whether the Pariette deserves its own Endangered Species Act protection, said Diane Katzenberger, a spokeswoman for the service.
The service should have a decision on both by the end of next year, Katzenberger said Thursday.
Advocates for the plant say the there are only about 4,000 Pariette cacti in the world, found only in a single 10-mile by 3-mile drainage in the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah. The fragile cactus has a spiny round base and grows shiny, purple blooms.
Tuesday, January 23. 2007
We Get Questions
Q: I have a 3 foot high cactus that I transplanted to the outside back in May. It did well until this week; the top is mushy, not firm and the plant does not seem to be doing well, not firm. Is this due to the cold spell or is there something else I should be doing?
dkuechel
A: Hello,
It sounds like the tip froze in the cold snap we had the week before Christmas. Young, new tissue in the tips of plants are often too young and "juicy" to be as cold hardy as the rest of the plant. The cells have just not had time to load up with sugars and mineral salts that help keep the water inside from freezing and bursting the cell walls. You can try spraying the tip with liquid kelp to help it heal and boost the sugars and salts in the damaged tissue. Watch it for signs of infection, you may need to treat with household hydrogen-peroxide or a fungicide if there are signs of rot down the road.
If we get another freeze alert cover the tip, a styrofoam cup works well on column cactus. Just push it down over the top until it sticks firm on cold nights and remove it in the morning. You don't want to leave in to since it makes a sealed little hothouse where fungus can thrive.
Hopefully by spring your plant will have healed up and it should out-grow any scars in a season or two. Often frost nipped tips lead to branching.
Good luck,
Hap
dkuechel
A: Hello,
It sounds like the tip froze in the cold snap we had the week before Christmas. Young, new tissue in the tips of plants are often too young and "juicy" to be as cold hardy as the rest of the plant. The cells have just not had time to load up with sugars and mineral salts that help keep the water inside from freezing and bursting the cell walls. You can try spraying the tip with liquid kelp to help it heal and boost the sugars and salts in the damaged tissue. Watch it for signs of infection, you may need to treat with household hydrogen-peroxide or a fungicide if there are signs of rot down the road.
If we get another freeze alert cover the tip, a styrofoam cup works well on column cactus. Just push it down over the top until it sticks firm on cold nights and remove it in the morning. You don't want to leave in to since it makes a sealed little hothouse where fungus can thrive.
Hopefully by spring your plant will have healed up and it should out-grow any scars in a season or two. Often frost nipped tips lead to branching.
Good luck,
Hap
Monday, January 22. 2007
Delicious!
LA Times has a story about a Mexican cactus factory:
I think I blogged about this before. Oh well, the more posts about a single topic, the merrier. But it seems that now there is success in the air, not just the dream.
Good stuff.
t has taken longer than they expected, but the 170 women who have pooled their savings to launch a bottling plant for nopal cactus here say it's so close they can almost taste it.
I think I blogged about this before. Oh well, the more posts about a single topic, the merrier. But it seems that now there is success in the air, not just the dream.
Nopal is a local staple used in a variety of recipes, from sweet to savory. Residents here are combining money earned by family members working in the U.S. with grants from Mexico's government to build the $1.5-million processing plant.
Their plan is to export thousands of jars of nopal a week for purchase by Oaxacans and cactus aficionados abroad. Their dream is to make the enterprise successful enough that loved ones will no longer have to go north of the border to find jobs.
Their plan is to export thousands of jars of nopal a week for purchase by Oaxacans and cactus aficionados abroad. Their dream is to make the enterprise successful enough that loved ones will no longer have to go north of the border to find jobs.
Good stuff.
Sunday, January 21. 2007
They Get Questions
From Salem, Mass.:
Pollination! Now why didn't I think of that?
Q: My neighbor's Christmas cactus has red things hanging on the branches that look like berries or fruit. Is this normal? Why doesn't my cactus have them or is her plant a special variety?
A: This is not a special variety. Your neighbor's plant has somehow pollinated. Any plant growing indoor in winter will require pollination to set fruit (that's what the berries are).
The pollen has to be brushed from flower to flower, which outdoors would be done by a bug or by the gardener or an animal passing by and brushing the plant. Indoors, you have to do the job yourself (unless you have bugs or a cat).
If you want to do this yourself, use a cheap paintbrush that is absolutely clean, or even a piece of Kleenex, and dab at flowers when they're in full bloom. We do this with the little citrus trees that bloom beautifully every winter.
Trying this does not absolutely guarantee that a fruit will form, but as in nature, it depends on timing. Different plants are receptive to pollination at different times of the day and night, so repeat several days in succession.
A: This is not a special variety. Your neighbor's plant has somehow pollinated. Any plant growing indoor in winter will require pollination to set fruit (that's what the berries are).
The pollen has to be brushed from flower to flower, which outdoors would be done by a bug or by the gardener or an animal passing by and brushing the plant. Indoors, you have to do the job yourself (unless you have bugs or a cat).
If you want to do this yourself, use a cheap paintbrush that is absolutely clean, or even a piece of Kleenex, and dab at flowers when they're in full bloom. We do this with the little citrus trees that bloom beautifully every winter.
Trying this does not absolutely guarantee that a fruit will form, but as in nature, it depends on timing. Different plants are receptive to pollination at different times of the day and night, so repeat several days in succession.
Pollination! Now why didn't I think of that?
Saturday, January 20. 2007
A Look Back
Everybody's gardengrows throughout the year, and the Costa Mesa Daily Pilot's garden is no exception:
Back at home, as with any gardener, the year offered success as well as failure. Additions during 2006 to my eclectic array of plants were 675 plants and 288 unique varieties.
At this point in my gardening life, the plants I crave are those that are likely of interest to only a handful of people.
My personal plant obsession has grown beyond sanity to border upon addiction. My current narcotic plant of choice is an obscure selection of tiny plants known as Oxalis, specifically those from a small area of South Africa. Much to my wife's dismay, my Oxalis collection continued to expand in 2006, numbering over 150 varieties.
Plants will always fluctuate in popularity. This year we continued to see big gains in the popularity of low-chill blueberries, succulents and Mediterranean plants. Meanwhile, other trends declined; noticeably cottage gardening, water gardening and lawn care.
At this point in my gardening life, the plants I crave are those that are likely of interest to only a handful of people.
My personal plant obsession has grown beyond sanity to border upon addiction. My current narcotic plant of choice is an obscure selection of tiny plants known as Oxalis, specifically those from a small area of South Africa. Much to my wife's dismay, my Oxalis collection continued to expand in 2006, numbering over 150 varieties.
Plants will always fluctuate in popularity. This year we continued to see big gains in the popularity of low-chill blueberries, succulents and Mediterranean plants. Meanwhile, other trends declined; noticeably cottage gardening, water gardening and lawn care.
Images V
The final part, Part 5, of our 5 part series of photographs sent to us by one of our customers. And it's a beaut.
Oreocereus celsianus
© 2006 allaboutimages.com
Oreocereus celsianus
© 2006 allaboutimages.com
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