3 years ago I bought a cactus for my patio. It was like 8" tall and 6" in diameter when I bought it. I started to grow a little taller. I thought, "Cool! It's growing." Then it grew more...and more...and more. Soon it was 3 feet tall and too big for it's pot, so I moved it to a slightly bigger pot...to appease it. It stopped growing at that point. Little did I know, but its lust for power was not sated by it's new home; It hungered for more. Oblivious, I thought, "Whew...I guess this is as big as it will get." I looked up the name online and found out that this particular type can grow up to 20 feet tall. "Crap!" Soon, after it had lulled me into a false sense of security with its inactivity, the monster again resumed it's growth. And it grew...and grew...and grew. Now it's roots are breaking through the bottom of the pot, and it's over 8 feet tall...and shows no signs of stopping!
Help! How do I stop it? Can you prune a cactus? Will chopping some off kill it?
2006-11-17 19:14:39 · 3 answers · asked by The Man In The Box 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I'm now kicking myself for not writing down the name of the species when I looked it up online 2 years ago. I've been unable to find that website again now (of course). But I do remember this: The species is native to South Africa. It has symetrical vertial ridges running up the sides and green leaves (yes, LEAVES) sprouting from the top, which is unusual for cactus. Does anyone know the name of this species? How do I stop my Frankenstein cactus?
2006-11-17 19:17:17 · update #1
It's a ,"Pachypodium". Family:Apocynaceae Orgin:South Africa,Angola,Madagascar. Their the species with the tuberous root system,and are the most sought after by succulent collectors.I nicked named mine,"The Conductor" .He looked like he was ready to start the orchestra!Mine got to twenty foot. Don't put it in too big of pot,as it really doesn't need it .They like being contained.Anyway,Mine got beautiful white flowers on it. The flowers only bloom when it's mature.(20 ft.) The can be white,yellow, or brilliant red.It was so pretty, I donated it to the arboretum.The night before they were to pick it up,we had a bad wind storm,and it fell into the pool, breaking into many,many pieces. Oh how sad. So let yours grow,as it will only grow up,and wont need alot of space.Just be sure to move it in a spot that it can stay,because they get HEAVY.They go thru a leafless winter dormancy. At that time you should water sparingly, and feed it in early spring. P.S.They have to grow from seed,so, don't cut it.
2006-11-17 21:37:52 · answer #1 · answered by Sandyspacecase 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll be watching for future questions from you. Fabulous prose, are you a writer?
Kisses to you and air kisses to your cacti!!
2006-11-17 23:43:14 · answer #2 · answered by reynwater 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very interesting question and equally interesting answer. Thanks to both of you. I learned something new!
2006-11-18 12:17:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋