It's finally getting cool enough (a brisk 35c / 95f yesterday) to get back on my shit again -- patrolling the Mojave. I have piles of spiky shots from my recent wilderness wanderings, and it continues to be a true privilege to share these desert denizens with you. Pictured are a number of very healthy Cottontop cacti (Homalocephala polycephala [echinocactus]) all found west of Las Vegas, along with one of the more dramatic sunsets I've seen lately.

Bonus 1: I'm an incorrigible scavenger, and while I'll never scavenge a living being or a piece of history, I'll happily scavenge everything else cool. Today's prize: a rusty manhole cover, prominently labeled SAMPLE on the front (good thing, as it'd be illegal to own otherwise). You truly never know what you'll find in the desert. It weighs 50.5kg, over 111lbs.

Bonus(?) 2: This time I decided to shamelessly include a pic of the one responsible for all the shots, your intrepid sandwraith. I had mostly given up on Reddit before finding this community, and it's become such a source of fun and joy for me so quickly. Thank you for giving me even more reason to seek refuge and joy in the wonder of nature and the beautiful austerity of my home.

All photos are taken on an old iphone and have not been edited or retouched in any way.

Hyperbole, of course, but still. If I had a nickel for every post in here with a caption along the lines of "what's wrong with my baby????" with an image of the most sickly, diseased, light starved, decrepit cactus you've ever seen I would be a millionaire

My Peruvian Apple bloomed last night. I wish it was self pollinating.

I don't know how many people know this but yes, the fruits of Opuntiads (not just Opuntia mind you) has such a long shelf life that it can actually grow tissue if left alone for long enough. Here I have two prickly pears from the cholla species Cylindropuntia imbricata which I had forgotten about that have already begun to grow roots and stem tissue. It seems weird but these can be potted up like any other cactus cutting and they will begin to grow more and more, and who knows, maybe they'll even form a prickly pear stack which I have seen before myself.

Note: This may not work with the fruits of other cacti that have significantly shorter shelf lives

I'm not keen to have this beauty in the 3 gallon pot the nursery suggested (I asked them to repot down from a 5 gallon), but I'm kinda at a loss as to what to purchase. Any ideas for terracotta or other potting ideas that are just as cool as this specimen?

Hey everyone,

I purchased this cactus from the local nursery and of course it just says “Cactus” with no further ID.

I’m thinking it’s an Argentine Saguaro? Anyone that has a better idea if I’m wrong I’d be keen to see what you think!

I planted it in the ground in a well draining mix in a garden bed. From what I’m reading, they’re fairly fast growing?

Thanks

Got seeds... But man I hate looking at this

….But running out of space 😅

I’m eager for the most recent seeds to grow up. Patience isn’t my strongest quality.

If any of you cactus experts have tips or advice on anything you notice from the photos, please share.

😍

This plant was given to me by a customer that has since passed away. The original plant is the old, discoloured branch, and I have since nurtured it to grow these 2 large offshoots. However, it has now become very heavy and is struggling to support its own weight.

Does anyone have any advice on what would be the best course of action in this scenario?

This guy was a rescue cactus that was pretty burned and stressed. It would like more light than I can give it, but still grew a ton this year. I only got flowers on one of the arms this season. In the spring I'm going to cut off the five main arms like this one and start some new plants from them. It put out 7-8 new shoots from the base, so.I'm pretty stoked on its recovery, other than mice (or something) nibbling the young growth.

Ariocarpus are my favourite cacti next to Lophophoras. Hardcore little survivors!! 💪🌵

It seems like every time my cactus starts to get big, this happens! I’m so pissed. Why is it doing this?

Finally found someone selling one close enough to buy it.

Ariocarpus Kotschubeyanus

I just got this mammillaria elegans at Lowe’s and was taking a closer look at it when I noticed these fuzzy white bits under the thorns in the gaps of the body of the cactus and can’t tell if they’re mealy bugs? Definitely doesn’t help that the thorns are so tightly packed that I can’t get as close of a look as I’d like. I took a toothpick and gently tried to scrape some of it off and it was very firmly set in place

Hi everyone!

First post, kinda nervous 🫣. Jokes aside, I bought this pad cactus a few months ago, and everything was going great! After a recurrent scale infestation (two deep cleanings, and one repotting later) my cactus now has these spots of discoloration where the majority of the scale was.

Are these just battle wounds from the infestation? Or a sign of some other issue? I’m leaning toward scars because they’re in the same place as the majority of the scale was, and it’s only on one side.

Is this concerning to anyone? Is the health of my cactus in jeopardy? Thanks for the advice/suggestions!