Cacti as houseplants
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How to grow exotic cactus plants on your windowsill
Cactus plants make an unusual and fascinating display for your home, and if you have a sunny windowsill, they will thrive, and reward you with gorgoeus flowers year on year!
Love them or hate them, they do catch the eye, and are not difficult to grow. Their varius shapes and spine patterns are attractive even when the plant is not in bloom.
Of course they are very prickly, and need to be handled with care, but they fascinate children, who will soon learn how to handle them safely.
This Lens is brought to you by the wife of a cactus collecting husband, David, who has many years experience of cacti as houseplants.
David is disabled, and cactus collecting is a hobby which has brought him much joy and interest through the years. He so enjoys buying new plants, but how quickly a collection grows, and it's not easy parting with any of them, so they have almost taken over the living room, as well as filling two cold frames outside!
You will find links here to the top Cactus Nurseries in the UK and some on other countries too, and there's lots of help relating to the care of cacti, and some great cactus gifts as well, and you can enjoy the wonderful Video displays of cactus plants in Bloom from You Tube.
Enjoy the lovely color photography ~ most plants have been purchased from Cactus Nurseries and Garden Centres, and grown on at home, where they have flowered.
Cactus ~ A difinition from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A cactus (plural: cacti, cactuses or cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Their distinctive appearance is a result of adaptations to conserve water in dry and/or hot environments...
Cacti come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The tallest is Pachycereus pringlei, with a maximum recorded height of 19.2 m and the smallest is Blossfeldia liliputiana, only about 1 cm in diameter at maturity. Cactus flowers are large, and like the spines arise from distinctive features called areoles
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David's Cactus Collection
"Here you will find the best selection in the UK of opuntia plants. There is something for everyone here. Prickly pears can be used as tortoise or other reptile food, some are edible by humans in salads or as jams. Of course, cactus collector's have them for their flowers or because they look like the archetypal cactus - ferocious and very architectural.
Prickly pears are certainly survivors - the will tolerate a lot of neglect and extreme environments. Many are hardy outdoors in europe with no protection (in a very free-draining soil). Almost all would survive if dry in winter, in an un-heated greenhouse"
So whether you are looking for the perfect houseplant or a present for someone you don't like at all - you've come to the right place!
- OPUNTIA - Opuntia Shop
- Prickly Pears - hardy ones, ones for tortoise food, some for human food!
An excellent selection of quality plants, very interesting and helpful website, recommended
UK Based ~ Ships to EU
Here's a picture of the Nursery, and a selection of Echinopsis hybrids in full bloom!
- The Cactus Shop
- Cactus Shop, online cactus and succulent shop.Tour the nursery and purchase top value cacti and succulents.Surrey,UK based. Orders from within EU countries only
- Pests and diseases of cacti and succulents. Visit the Cactus Doctor
- Pests and Diseases of Cacti and other succulent plants. Identification, prevention and cure, Online cactus doctor - disease diagnostic key.
- Auctions
- An online auction site for cacti, succulents and all related items and sundries
- Cactus Shop Cactus Tools
- Cactus Tools
Special cactus-handling tools. No more crumpled paper and cardboard handlers, spines in gloves and damaged plants. Handle your plants without damage, quickly and professionally
Here is a set of tools that the serious cactus collector can't live without! Cactus tongs for handling plants and cuttings, cactus gloves for the large cacti and a cactus sling for the tall ones. Also a set of drainage mats for a range of pot sizes, which will improve drainage and aeration - a helping hand to give your cacti a healthy root system. Makes an ideal gift for the cactophile who thinks he has everything!. These are not gimmicks - once tried, you will realise how useful they are in protecting both you and your plants from damage!
The British Cactus and Succulent Sociely
- British Cactus and Succulent Society - Home Page
- The principal objectives of the BCSS are to promote the study, conservation, propagation and cultivation of cacti and other succulent plants.
Membership of the Society is international and open to all. There are currently about 3,000 members and this includes a whole range of interests from novice window-sill growers to experts - British Cactus and Succulent Society - Paypal subscription form
- Join the British Cactus and Succulent Society HERE!
- CactusWorld - Online - Photo Gallery - Home
- CactusWorld - Online - Photo Gallery
The Online Community for Cactus and Succulent Growers
- cactus and succulent plant mall
- Cactus and Succulent Plant Mall
The cactus and succulent plant mall (CSPM) is an Internet resource for all growers of cacti and succulent plants. It is regularly updated with information on cactus and succulent societies and suppliers of plants, seeds and literature on cacti and succulents. The CSPM has developed and hosts webpages for cactus and succulent organisations worldwide (227 domains + 55 web sites within cactus-mall.com + 120 advertisers). It also aims to maintain as complete a list of web pages and other cactus and succulent related Internet facilities as possible. The CSPM is maintained by Suzanne and Tony Mace. We regret that our work load has grown to the point where we can no longer answer individual cultivation or identification questions. We recommend you ask these in the British Cactus Society Forum.
Cactus Themed Gifts from Zazzle
More UK Cactus Nurseries and Suppliers
- Abbey Brook Cactus Nursery
- Abbeybrook cactus nursery. The oldest cactus nursery in the UK.
- Croston Cactus
- Croston Cactus (John & Norma Henshaw)43 Southport Road, Eccleston,
Chorley,
Lancashire PR7 6ET, UK Tel: +44 (0)1257 452555 Email: sales@croston-cactus.co.uk We stock a range of North & South American Cacti, Caudiciform Succulents and Echeverias. - Glenhirst Cactus Nursery UK - Mail Order Cacti and Succulents
- Welcome to Glenhirst Cactus Nursery!
We have a wide range of beautiful cacti and succulents for sale including lithops (living stones), epiphyllums (orchid cacti), hardy cacti and succulents for the garden and even specially grown prickly pear cacti (opuntias) for tortoise food! We also offer a sele - Tony Irons Seedling Cacti
- Tony Irons Seedling Cacti Tel: 01275 846239
Situated In Portishead, Somerset, UK E-mail: tonyironscacti@talktalk.net - Southfield Nurseries - The Home of Cactusland Cacti Nurseries
- Welcome to Southfield Nurseries, the home of Cactusland - the largest cactus and succulent plant nurseries in the United Kingdom. All of our plants are propagated here in our own nurseries and we have many thousands of cacti ready potted and waiting; we have over 750 varieties of plant, including many hybrids that we have developed ourselves which are unique to Cactusland.
- Easy Cactus - UK and EU Cacti and succulent plant and seed sales.
- Easy Cactus - UK and EU Cacti and succulent plant and seed sales.
- Gift Republic Grow It: Cactus Plant
- Growing cacti at home is easy with this prickly gift box which includes seeds for a variety of cactus plants. Grow a mix of unique cactus plants in your own home. Growing your cactus plants is simple - everything you need is inside this gift box including starter growing pots, compost discs, seeds and a booklet containing growing tips. Included in the set: 5 packets of mixed cactus seeds 5 starter growing pots made from coconut husk 5 natural coconut husk compost discs which expand when watered 5 wooden plant markers Cactus plant growing tips | Garden > Garden Accessories
CafePress offers some great cactus related gifts
Cactus gifts from Zazzle
Cactus related Links
- Windowsill Cactus
- Cactus and succulent plants for 4-season homes
- Cactus House Plants
- Cactus house plants are easy-to-grow, sun-loving, and drought-tolerant. Discover flowering cactus plants pictures and care tips for types of cactus commonly grown indoors.
- Cactus Houseplants # 2
- Cactus House Plants provide one of the best indoor garden options. Although most types of cactus are easily maintained, high visual rewards will still be achieved.
- Gardening: Cacti, cactus and other succulent plants | Compare Quotes.net.au
- growing cacti, cactus, succulents, gardening without soil, quotes on gardening, rosettes, Agaves, Yuccas, Aloes, Echeverias, rockery, Kalanchoes, Mesembryanthemums, Crassulas
Purchasing cactus plants from a Garden Centre
The 7 Most Valuable Pieces Of Advice When Buying Cacti
"Check if the Cactus is rooted firmly in its pot.
If the neck on the plant is soft or discoloured, you can be sure that it is rotting from the inside-out. You cannot always see this with the naked eye so feel the neck of the Cactus with your finger to double check.
Do not accept any sick or pest infected cactus plants. White flakes, black spots, dry discolouration of shoots, red spider ants are all signs of pest infected and diseased plants.
Do not choose Cacti that have been left standing in the dark for any length of time. Light deficiency w ill encourage unhealthy growth, which in turn will weaken the plant considerably.
Do not buy any Cactus or Succulent species which start shooting and producing the flowers before they are supposed to. This is a trick brought up by artificial lighting and raising the temperatures.
Make sure to check that your chosen specimen
has all the right characteristics and if you noticed even something small out of place... Don't buy that Cactus.
Do not hurry to buy a flowering Cactus. Not like other plants, if a Cactus is flowering it does not always mean it is healthy. If you buy a healthy flowering Cactus and you take really good care of it, the Cactus might flower every year."
Thank you to Garden Joy for these useful tips on BUYING CACTI
Look around, as different cacti require different environment.It really is very important to check on the health of the plant before you buy, it is quite common to find that you have brought home some unexpected extras, in the form of pests like red spiter mite and mealybug. (SEE LINKS BELOW TO HELP YOU IDENTIFY THE ENEMY!)
Plants almost always need repotting, as soon as they settle into their new home, and if flowering, when flowers are over. You can see how cramped they are in the displays slown below (From our local Garden Center)
Cactus Posters by Shirleypoppy
- Paradise Park Newhaven
- Welcome to a unique shopping experience with a vast range of inspiring ideas for your garden and home. Our passion for plants is reflected in colourful and inspirational displays. Many plants are grown on our own nursery and we always have experts available to advise you on the right plant for your requirements. We are a family business with traditional values of service and a competitive pricing policy backed up by our own guarantee.
- cactus and succulent plant mall - Pests of cacti and succulents
- Cactus and Succulent Plant Mall - Resources ~ useful information about pests and diseases, check it out if you need information on this subject
- Cactus Expert
- information an cactus care. Tips on how to grow a cactus Find out about expert cacti growing. Nice photographs of cacti growing in habitat, andother useful cactus related links
- Pests and diseases of cacti and succulents. Visit the Cactus Doctor
- Pests and Diseases of Cacti and other succulent plants. Identification, prevention and cure, Online cactus doctor - disease diagnostic key.
- Pests of Cacti and other Succulent plants
- Pests of Cacti and other succulent plants. Identification, prevention and cure
Find useful books about Cacti & succulents on Amazon
Cactus Stickers
Cacti from Amazon
Cactus related items on eBay
If you love Cacti, you must see this Lens!
- Cold Climate Cactus
- Growing Cactus in Wisconsin
Do you grow cacti?
Tell us about your experiences to just let us know what you think of this Lens!
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Beautiful-Bridal
Mar 15, 2012 @ 8:49 am | delete
- Very beautiful lens!
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naheedahsan
Feb 29, 2012 @ 1:17 pm | delete
- thanks for sharing this
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Steph_Tietjen
Feb 11, 2012 @ 12:13 am | delete
- Thank you for the visual journey, wonderful photos. I wish I could visit some of your UK nurseries. I grow a few cacti (USA), S. American varieties mostly.
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Pantherart Feb 10, 2012 @ 1:58 am | delete
- This is a very beautiful lens I love all the pictures you have on here. It shall be blessed!
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Einar_A
Jan 24, 2012 @ 4:49 pm | delete
- Prickly pear cactus grow wild not far from where I live (Western US) and I have had success digging them up and bringing them into the house in pots--it's amazing how they grow and flourish when given just a bit of water and some warmth, and they produce fruits which taste like watermelon! Many years here where they grow, it's too dry and/or cold for them even to bloom, as it is at the upper end of their elevation limit. Very interesting lens!
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