Weird Cactus from Mexico: Idria columnaris (Protected), Illegal If Wild-Collected

6-Ft Tall Stick with Horizontal Branches, Many Thorns—Called Percha del Diablo Owner asks ID. Likely Idria columnaris (Boojum Tree) Greg: if collected in Mexico, illegal (protected). Legal US nursery plants grown from s

Saguaro Seedlings Watering: After Sprout, Dry Between Waterings

Saguaro Seeds in Pot, Instructions: Keep in Water Bowl Until Sprout—Then What? Owner asks continued watering method (cold climate, indoors). After Sprout: Dry Out Between Waterings Greg: once sprouted, let soil dry. Dep

Jade Plant Repotting: Any Time, But Large Pots Heavy; Root-Bound OK

3-Week Jade on Screen Porch, Afternoon Sun—When Repot, What Size, Bring Inside for Morning Sun? Owner wants large plant. Any Time; Large Pots Heavy to Move Greg: succulents like root-bound. Any pot size with drainage wo

Identifying Two Succulents from Flickr: Kalanchoe longiflora/blossfeldiana; Second Unknown

Two Flickr Links: First Kalanchoe (Which?), Second No Clue Owner offers cuttings from collection. Greg: First Likely K. longiflora or K. blossfeldiana Second unknown—asks if leaves solid or V-shaped, ever flowered, flow

Grafting Aloe to Cactus: Not Possible; Aloe Structure Prevents Grafting

Can Aloe Be Grafted to Cactus or Other Succulents? Universal Rootstock? Asks about grafting ease, universal rootstock, aloe-to-cactus. Greg: Grafting Not for Beginners; No Universal Rootstock Aloe to cactus: no. Aloe to

Small Orange Cactus Black Spots After Vacation: Overwatered, Let Dry, Watch Spots

6-Month Orange Cactus, 3, Vacation 1.5 Months, Watered at 1 Month—Fine on Return, 2 Weeks Later Black Spots Owner thought underwatered, added water. Asks help. Let Soil Dry, Watch Spots Greg: dry out soil. If spots grow

Fairy Castle Cactus Brown After Flight: Heat Burn in Car or Sunburn, Will Heal Ugly

Carried Fairy Castle on Plane, Wrapped Pro, Turned Totally Brown Weeks Later—Green Returning but Mostly Brown Owner afraid to do more than monthly water. Likely Heat Burn (Car) or Sunburn 100°F or direct sun. Will heal

Aloe Vera Brown Lower Leaves, Money Plant Sad: Normal Aging, Morning Sun Better, Rain Water Helps

Aloe 1 Year, Brown Lower Spikes Dying; Money Plant Sad; West Window Sun at 5 PM—Position Wrong? Owner asks about position and hard vs rain water. Lower Leaf Death Normal for Aloe Greg: morning sun better than afternoon.

5-Inch Cacti Needle Tips Turning Black: Normal Aging or Euphorbia Rot

White Needles, Black Tips on Top Half—Problem? Owner asks cause. If Cactus: Normal Spine Aging (New at Top Are Darker) Greg: spine tips like fingernails—dead, color changes. If Euphorbia (often mistaken), spines are liv

Large Cactus Removal in San Francisco: Nursery or Tree Service, Botanical Garden May Want It

Very Large Cactus Next to House—Remove Alive, Find Someone? Owner wants live removal. Nursery or Tree Removal Service Greg: contact local botanical garden for referrals; they may want the plant. No specific cactus remov

Red Yucca Seeds: Greg Unsuccessful, Links to Propagation Guide

Red Yucca Pods Collected Seeds—Can Plant, Procedure? Owner asks planting method. Greg: Not Successful with Yucca Seed; Links to Bennys Cactus Propagation Page Yucca Propagation Guide

Desk Cactus Keeps Rotting: Need Grow Light 15+ Hrs or Switch to Euphorbia

Two Cacti Died at Desk: Cold, Fluorescent Bulb, Now Rot—Any Hope? Owner asks what survives on desk. Cacti Need Intense Light—Use Grow Light 15+ Hrs Greg: fluorescent insufficient. Grow light ≥15 hrs/day. Or try succulen

White Spots on Prickly Pear in Zimbabwe: Likely Cochineal Insect, Spray Off or Use Predators

5 Prickly Pears, One Has White Liquid Spots—What Is It, How Remove? Owner asks ID and treatment. Probably Cochineal Scale Insect Greg: check Wikipedia Cochineal. Best control: blast off with hose or introduce parasitic

Grafted Cactus Host Cutting: Greg Refers to Grafting Expert Site

Grafted Cactus Mushy, Light Green—How Close to Cut, Dry Time, Mist or Dry? Owner asks cutting details for host plant. Greg: Never Tried Grafting—Links to UCC Biology Grafting Page Grafted Cacti Info

Succulent Arrangements in No-Drainage Containers: Water Wicks Up, Add Barrier or Drill Holes

25% Loss in 3 Weeks: Rocks/Woodchips Base, Cactus Mix, Careful Watering—Plants Dry or Mushy Owner makes no-drainage floral containers for indoor succulents. Water Wicks Up Through Rock Layer Greg: create barrier with dr

35-Year Pachypodium 8 ft Tall: Cutting Propagation Difficult, Link to Expert Article

Wifes Pachypodium (Madagascar Palm) 8 ft, 18-20 Base, 3 Top Sections—Can Cut and Root All? Owner asks how to cut and root top sections and base. Greg: No Luck with Pachypodium Cuttings; Links to Cacti101 Article Propaga

Red Moon Cactus Lifespan: Short, Stays Small—Care Link Provided

3-Inch Red Moon Cactus: How Long It Lives, How Big It Gets? Owner told it wont grow big; wants lifespan and care. No Fixed Lifespan; Stays Near Purchase Size Greg: short-lived, doesnt grow much larger. Links to Cactus C

Fairy Castle Cactus Straw Flowers Are Fake; Real Flowers Need Years of Height

Fairy Castle Doubled Height, Straw Flowers Grew Together—Can Force More Blooms? Owner wants more flowers on taller plant. Straw Flowers Are Glued On Greg: real flowers only after plant reaches several feet. Cannot force

Apple Cactus Mottled Beige After Rain: Sunburn from Sudden South Exposure

5-Ft Apple Cactus Moved from North Indoor to South Balcony, Heavy Rain, Then Beige Mottling Owner scrapes beige to find green underneath. Asks cause, fix, prevention. Sunburn from Intense Southern Light Greg: likely sun

Jade Plant Drooping Badly: Greg Refers to Specialist Site

Jade Stems Bent Over After Messenger + Bloom Fertilizer, Careful Watering of Cuttings Owner details complex care, asks if disease, fungus, salt buildup, or repotting needed. Greg: Not His Specialty—Links to Garden Helpe