Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Cactus Pet Stories

Mini Pet Cactus Update III
The mini pet cactus that I freed from its confining dome earlier this year continues to thrive in the fresh air. I finally sacrificed some of the roots to remove the choking collar that encircled the rootball, and it came through unaffected. However, the stems have elongated, which I doubt is from lack of light. This means all previous guesses as to its genus and species may be completely wrong. Only time will tell. These previous posts give the history of this little cactus.

Another Pet Cactus
Mini Pet Cactus Update



Compare the shape of my pet cactus this week to how it looked last December when I wrote about it the first time. A new section has formed on one of the long stems and each stem grew another two inches over the course of this year. The longest stem is pointing east this this week--a change from last week when it favored the western sun.


Rosa 'Intrepid'

Here's my nod to Bloomin' Tuesday. It looks like the dose of rose food I provided last month has changed the color of this rose to something closer to red. The previous blooms were a hot pink color. I guess soil amendments and fertilizer really do make a difference!


To see other Bloomin' Tuesday participant posts, please see the link list at
Ms. Green Thumb Jean's.

14 comments:

Rock rose said...

I had missed your previous post about the key chain. My jaw dropped in amazement when I read it. Only in Arizona- or Japan as you said!
You really do take care of your cactus.

Julie said...

I cn hardly believe that is the same pet cactus!!! WOWZERS! It is a monstrosity now!!! LOL.

Beautiful red rose...I hope that was what you were wishing for when you fertilized it! Amazing transformation!

Suzanne said...

That mini cactus is a hoot! Fun to read all about it. Your rose is beautiful -- what a pretty, rich color. I always love your posts!

Claude said...

Wow... at first I thought that the little pet cactus you freed might be some sort of opuntia. Their seedlings are often little fuzzy things that start elongating into pads at about 1 or 2 years old... but then I read in one of your past posts that it had produced a tiny bloom, and I threw that theory out the window... I don't know of a single cactus, or any other plant, that changes form after it's already bloomed, it's usual to change to the mature growth before the bloom. I really can't wait to see how this one turns out...

Unknown said...

Have no clue about cacti, I do try to gtow some here and there. That rose is pretty, kind of neat when the colors change.

Sweetie said...

Your have such unique "cactus pets" and the Rosa 'Intrepid' is absolutely beautiful.
Sweetie

deola said...

Love your blog. Quite interesting.

I will love to host you on mine.

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

You've done a great job to free this cactus from its jail. I'm glad to see it grow and produce more stems. It looks very different from the way it started out but it looks happy and healthy.

Jean said...

I can't believe how much your "pet cactus" has grown. I'm sure you 'll figure out what it is eventually. The rose is lovely, such a pretty red. Happy Tuesday! Jean

Grammy said...

Hi I love your pet cactus.
Have a great week. The bends make it more interesting.
Grammy

Anne Fannie said...

Hi Aiyana, I love your pet cactus! Great post for Bloomin' Tuesday!
~Ann

Green thumb said...

It all reminds me of 'reproduction by budding' I read about in my biology classes, except that in this case it seems more like assisted reproduction.
It is a surprise how the color of the rose got transformed arificially, I always thought that it is in the genes!

Unknown said...

Getting the seeds ready, come by and see if you want any.

kesslerdee said...

I have so enjoyed your pet cactus posts, and am thrilled to see him free from his dome and thriving! Part of the appeal of cactus to me, anyway, is that they seem to be quite forgiving of things- such as that plastic collar. They are remarkable resiliant!