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Post by oldmoleskins on May 25, 2009 20:21:13 GMT
Well I never! That looks very very pretty....I'll tell him shall I? He'll be really pleased!  Do that 4P - and while you're at it, ask him to visit us: I've got a cherished, inherited epiphyllum that's flowering for the first time in ages, but worrying me with white powdery deposits... I'd be interested in his advice, I could post a pic. OM. |
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Post by oldmoleskins on May 26, 2009 9:56:08 GMT
In anticipation of a visit, here's a pic of the plant, flowering nicely and with still more to come:  and a close-up of the blobs  they're furry, and when you scrape them with the tip of a penknife, give of a white dust and seem to contain brownish grittyness... eggs? OM. |
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Post by mickthecactus on May 26, 2009 13:26:20 GMT
It's a looong time since I've been here.....
Water and bridge etc.
Anyhow, well done with the Mammillaria. It certainly looks happy.
On the Epiphyllum it looks suspiciously like mealy bug. Is there a little bug under the "fur" that squashes out red?
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Post by Dutchy on May 26, 2009 18:43:43 GMT
Hiya Mick nice to hear from you again.
Not the expert you are i too thought mealy bug when I saw the pic.
Can I ask another cacti question now you are here?
I have a cactus with one tall and one short bit ( no I lost the name so I don't know what it is ).
The tall bit gets taller and flowers with nice dark pink flowers, the short bit does nothing and now seems a bit softer than the tall bit.
Do I cut it off if it goes mushy? ( I hope it won't but fear it might ) Or should I do this frightening deed before it does go mushy?
Erm not a simple question but maybe it is for you.
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Post by oldmoleskins on May 26, 2009 19:11:54 GMT
On the Epiphyllum it looks suspiciously like mealy bug. Is there a little bug under the "fur" that squashes out red? With the benefit of reading specs and a magnifying glass, under an anglepoise, over a white sheet of paper... there is, there is! Dunno whether excitement is quite the thing - what's the treatment then Mick? OM. |
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Post by mickthecactus on May 27, 2009 14:59:06 GMT
Hiya Mick nice to hear from you again. Not the expert you are i too thought mealy bug when I saw the pic. Can I ask another cacti question now you are here? I have a cactus with one tall and one short bit ( no I lost the name so I don't know what it is ). The tall bit gets taller and flowers with nice dark pink flowers, the short bit does nothing and now seems a bit softer than the tall bit. Do I cut it off if it goes mushy? ( I hope it won't but fear it might ) Or should I do this frightening deed before it does go mushy? Erm not a simple question but maybe it is for you. Golly, that's sounds tricky.. Yes, cut it off it goes mushy before it infects the tall bit. Any chance of a picture Dutchy? That would help. |
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Post by mickthecactus on May 27, 2009 15:01:31 GMT
On the Epiphyllum it looks suspiciously like mealy bug. Is there a little bug under the "fur" that squashes out red? With the benefit of reading specs and a magnifying glass, under an anglepoise, over a white sheet of paper... there is, there is! There's plenty of proprietary insecticides you can treat it with but you can just brush it off as well although they tend to get into the little cracks and crevices and you can't get at them. Another way is to spot treat them with a paintbrush and parrafin or white spirit which kills them instantly. Suggest you kep it well away from any other houe plants or it will infect them too. Dunno whether excitement is quite the thing - what's the treatment then Mick? OM. |
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Post by oldmoleskins on May 28, 2009 8:43:13 GMT
As it happens, I have some paraffin (not exactly a corner shop item these days, and have you seen the price?) bought for sluicing out engine parts, so I'll nick a tiny paintbrush and have a go.
Cheers,
OM.
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Post by Dutchy on May 28, 2009 19:30:48 GMT
Picture of failing cactus will follow once I have some more time at my hands.
Thanks so far Mick.
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jun 2, 2009 7:51:53 GMT
Well, here it is after de-mealying - I hope it doesn't mind paraffin, in the end it seemed to be pretty well everywhere... It certainly brings a bit of joy to see the old plant having a go:  OM. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 2, 2009 12:19:17 GMT
That now looks a pretty healthy plant OM. It would be happy to be out in the garden for summer as long as it is in the shade in the afternoon.
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jun 2, 2009 13:03:15 GMT
That now looks a pretty healthy plant OM. It would be happy to be out in the garden for summer as long as it is in the shade in the afternoon. I'll do that Mick - a bit of a holiday... it's generally kept on 'the dry side' at this time - but at the mo, what with it flowering it's getting a little more. Is that ok for it? OM. |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 2, 2009 14:13:43 GMT
Absolutely right OM.
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Post by Dutchy on Jun 19, 2009 15:24:51 GMT
Pics at last. Sorry it took me so long busy times busy times   Big picture and the little one that feels softer but still looks OK.  But it isn't growing at all. It remained like this for years but now somehow feels softer. You can not move the spikes on the big one but gently move the ones on the little one  |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 22, 2009 13:30:23 GMT
No that looks fine to me Dutchy.
Younger growth will always be softer than old growth.
This is a Mammillaria by the way although I couldn't say which one.
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Post by Dutchy on Jun 27, 2009 9:20:25 GMT
Mammillaria is more than it was to me Mick ;D I like the name.
Good to know I can leave the small bit alone and that it might have started growing again.
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Post by Chuckles on Jun 30, 2011 19:43:03 GMT
These are the babies I mentioned, you can see they are plumping up and there are a couple of shrivelled ones at the front that I should remove really. I've picked one out and to be honest I don't understand how they are growing   I'd forgot about this thread look at my babies now 4 years on   |
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Post by Chuckles on Jun 30, 2011 19:53:18 GMT
While I'm in cactus mode ;D several months ago I gave one of mine that was rather tall and a bit wobbly the chop as in cut it in half. I followed MTC's instructions below. Once you have cut it leave it on its side to dry off. Keep it somewhere dry and warm and bright. Simply leave the stump and it will sprout from various places and you can either leave or take them off and root them. Suggest repot if not done for some time. I now have two plants This is the bottom bit, almost fully healed and babies growing  and this is the top now  A few weeks ago it flowered so it must be ok  |
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