BCSS - Forum

Beautiful!

look good for finland, but why such large pots?

Bob, I know that I have a tendency to use too large pots. I probably begun to use rather large pots in the first place because I did not know any better then. However, I have had no problems due to large pots over the years, and I never overwater my cacti. I think that the main reason for using smaller pots is to avoid overwatering. Moreover, beacuse the surface of black and glazed pots (I only use black pots) become very hot in sunshine and the roots of cacti don't like heat, the larger the pot is, the more there is soil for insulation between the roots and pot surface. Also in case of very small cacti, I have not found very small black pots in stores (I know that my preference for using only black pots may sound vain, but I have a small collection and like that the pots look uniform).

Here are more pictures showing Opuntia fragilis 'Füssen' flowering in my rockery. I planted them two years ago, and they have been growing completely without protection. The flowering lasted two weeks.

What a beautiful display of flowers this year, they must attract many admiring comments from visitors to your house.

Thanks, Keith! I have shown my cacti to some neighbours etc., but with a little disappointment I must say that not so many people have really understood what a rare occasion it is here in Finland to see flowering cacti growing outside in a garden.

These are so beautiful Pia, thanks for sharing.

This is Sansevieria ballyi (KENYA, Coast Province, Taita District: Kivuko ("Kivuto") Hill, 3° 47' S, 38° 52' E, on rock faces in the shelter of tufted Cyperaceae, 26 April 1963, Bally 12681).

My Selenicereus grandiflorus has grown from 10-cm-long cutting to this in three years. I just repotted it and cut off most of its (mostly dry) aerial roots. Is that okey or should I not cut the aerial roots in the future?

I have no idea, but they must grow for a purpose, too late anyway Pia!

Reminds me of a rollercoaster ride .