Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Holiday Cacti General Discussion Forum, 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
JB--

First of all--thank you for clarifying the "issues" here. I like your straight on approach!
You GO! Girl....

I just came and sat down--again--because my mind was in a state of unrest
about what all had just happened here. I knew you would not like it...
I was going to write one more time and remind everyone that followed your
discussions about how you hated to be reminded to "Stay on Topic" on the other Thread.
I was even thinking that, perhaps, the people that complained here--may not have been
following all the discussion you and I and others had re. starting this Thread right here.
It DOES include the words "General Discussion"--does it not?

And then! it happened here! I was, honestly, shocked!
We all tend to meander here on the MA--just like the Chesapeake Bay--
and no one has ever jumped in and complained.
Sorry you felt you had to do so, Doc. Now--shake it off and lets get back to having
educational conversations here--whichever way they may go. OK?
We all look up to you for good advice on so many things. Let's not let this come between any of us.

OK! To answer some of the above asked questions:

Lady and JB--Yes. I think it is a good idea to allow a fresh cut of any succulent to scab over.
It keeps the moisture in--and the rot out when it gets put into soil for rooting.
Remember the picture I posted of all the X-Mas cactus branches that broke off
and were sitting in my shop for over a month--and they were blooming?

When I was working for a grower--many times it was my job to take cuttings and
plant them to increase their stock.
One of the hardest to keep alive, as new cuttings planted in a mix, was the Desert Rose.
They would always rot out.
Then--one day, I decided to leave them all out for a day to scab over. I had heard that on
Allan Summers Radio "Garden Club"..He was very smart!
After that--we seldom lost any cuttings from this plant. SO! Yes! let them scab over.

My little plants on the window all are either pot-in-pot (outer pot not having any drainage)
or just in the taller clay pots. Clay pots are good--as any extra water will just evaporate
through the walls. Besides--at this stage--I am VERY careful not to water too much....
They have no roots yet.
I collect these small pots at work (HD) when they throw out--say--small Orchids-
Some of the Bell people actually save empty pots for me...

OK! I need to shower and get ready. Getting together with my daughter and SIL to
exchange out X-Mas gifts. We haven't done that yet...Bottle of Champagne is in my
fridge--so we can toast the New Year as well...

Big hug to all of you as well-- Gita

I have these small pots on 3 different window sashes.

Here--you can see how I have them pot-in-pot.
One good thing about the outer pot not having deainage is that i CAN go without a saucer.