Bringing Cacti out of Hibernation - Photos

[Myc]

Here are some of my cacti friends I thought I would share.
The mature specimens are Trichocereus Pachanoi from various locations.
The opuntia has been tentatively identified as an Opuntia Basilaris Tonapah due to its lack of spines and purple / pink coloring of the cladode. It is reported to contain Mescaline (0.01%) and 4-hydroxy 3-5-dimethoxyphenethylamine so perhaps it deserves an honorable mention here.
The columnar seedling is a Trichocereus Bridgesii propagated through the winter under flouro lighting.
The slow growing ornamentals (Astrophytum, Ariocarpus, etc.) are growing in an experimental soil medium.
I used take-home sushi trays filled with a soil mix of 50% sand with 50% screened all-purpose peat based potting soil top-dressed with fine sand with the greatest success. No sterilization, no fungicides....just water with 1/2 strength seedling fertilizer. Place the dome on top, provide a heat source, light, and watch them sprout in just a few short days!!
The least productive tray used Spacecake's tek of 1/3 sand, 1/3 vermiculite, and 1/3 perlite.
I tried the Park's biodome and lost all of my slow growing seedlings to damping off fungus despite the use of various fungicides. Columnar cacti thrived in the biodome. I've used the Park's biodome most successfully in the cultivation of my vegetable / flower garden.

[SharkieJones]

Very nice.

[Myc]

How could I forget my Pereskiopsis forest!?
Of particular interest to me, are the exceptionally large diameter specimens I acquired last fall (pictured with a Bic pen for size reference).
The Peres were never in hibernation but, instead, were allowed to grow in a sunny location throughout the winter after rooting in the propagator.

For those intending to do some grafting this year now is the time to take cuttings.
Start your slow-growing seeds.
Once they have sprouted, select the most healthy, robust, new growth from your favorite Peres and take cuttings.
In three months time, your Peres will be firmly established and your scions will be big enough for grafting.

Have fun this year fellow cactophiles!!

[Myc]

Just a little update.
Pups that started off the season really took off.
Cuttings have rooted and are producing offsets of their own.
Seedlings are also growing well.
Time to start monitoring watering more closely to wean them off and allow the soil to dry.
Hibernation is just around the corner.

[Fresh Brewed]

Pups are fun to watch aren't they?

[Shadowlord]

Very Nice Myc!
Your cacti look to be doing very well. I have just recently started cultivating them myself and was overjoyed when my unrooted cutting put off it's first pup.
Congratulations on the fine cacti you have there!

[Myc]

Thanks man!
I posted these update pics because I was so impressed with their growth within just one season.
Outdoors you can really put the water to them.
Once a week just wasn't enough. Those pups get big very quickly.

I want to put one in the ground and see what happens!
Would love to have a multi-branched 14 footer!

I was really impressed by the cutting - which just rooted this season - put on 3 offsets at the base. I'm pretty stoked!