This site is an archive of ChiotsRun.com. For the latest information about Susy and her adventrures, visit the Cultivate Simple site.
Thank you for all your support over the years!

Growing SLOWLY

April 5th, 2014

Back in February of 2011 I started cactus from seed. They were tiny, so, so tiny.
tiny_cactus
tiny_cactuses 1
Well, they’ve been growing in their tiny pots for the past 3 years and are still small, but they’re growing.
tiny cactus 1
tiny cactus 2
They’re starting to look like their adult plants, less like baby plants and more like mature ones. It will be interesting to see how long they live and how they grow every year. I suppose if I fertilized them more often they’d grow faster, but I rather like their slow growth rate. I usually give them a diluted fish emulsion once year.

Have you started any interesting plants from seed?

9 Comments to “Growing SLOWLY”
  1. Nebraska Dave on April 5, 2014 at 8:27 am

    Susy, growing cactus from seed in Maine? Now that’s patience. Growing that slow, it’s a wonder that they actually survive in the wild. There’s no interesting or exotic plants growing in my house or gardens. I’m a pretty dull boy as far as that goes. Now if you would need an automatic watering system that would shoot a little water in the pot every so often or maybe a lamp system for a little extra light in the winter months, then I’d be up for that.

    Have a great growing slowly day.

    Reply to Nebraska Dave's comment

  2. Jennifer Fisk on April 5, 2014 at 8:34 am

    I am amazed that a cactus will grow in our humid climate. You really do have the gift of growing. I brought one back from AZ 3 years ago and I gave it a couple of drops of water every month to 6 weeks but it still rotted off at the soil level. Don’t think I’ll try again.

    Reply to Jennifer Fisk's comment

  3. Elizabeth on April 5, 2014 at 8:41 am

    What cute babies! I have a grocery store pineapple top that I’ve been growing for 2 and a half years. No fruit yet. You’ve inspired me to read up on it and see what I can do to get a baby pineapple.

    Reply to Elizabeth's comment

  4. Lorna on April 5, 2014 at 10:24 am

    My son started some carnivorous plants from seed this winter; it takes six weeks (or more) for them to germinate. And several years to mature. He thinks he sees some green poking out, but I’m convinced that’s just wishful thinking on his part :) Hope springs eternal!

    Reply to Lorna's comment

  5. Maybelline on April 5, 2014 at 11:44 am

    Does any variety of cactus even grow anywhere in Maine?

    Reply to Maybelline's comment

    • Susy on April 6, 2014 at 7:23 pm

      My mom has one that grows in Ohio and would most likely survive here in Maine as well since we’re in the same zone.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  6. Kay on April 6, 2014 at 6:14 am

    Ha ha. I just planted some cacti seed. I am excited to see what kinds grow.

    Reply to Kay's comment

  7. PennyAshevilleNC on April 7, 2014 at 9:05 am

    I have 1 type of cactus that has been with me for almost 30 years! I started a terrarium project in 3rd grade…showed it again in 6th grade….and Mom kept at least the 1 plant alive all those years and then gave it back to me (it was prolific in dropping babies into other plants).
    Enjoy then- they are low maintenance and cool to have!

    Reply to PennyAshevilleNC's comment

  8. Songbirdtiff on April 7, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    That is so cool!

    Reply to Songbirdtiff's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

Admin
Read previous post:
Friday Favorite: Relics

Back in Ohio, it was very common to unearth relics while working in the garden. It's no different here in...

Close