Sandra’s Radical Repot

Disclaimer: Please don’t try this at home!

So, Sandra decided she didn’t like the shape of Vin Diesel. He needed some Bobitting she felt…so she lopped off the top and then chopped up most of the remaining body of the plant, leaving a stump, which her research tells her will re-grow.

Before:

Marine Safety Ladies, Wexford

Joel and I met these three lovely souls who, as part of a 140 strong team, voluntarily patrol the harbour of Wexford, Ireland to look out for people in distress. We gave them a cactus each. It was the least we could do to thank them for the wonderful work they do. Well done and thanks for what you do, Mary and friends.

Etiolation

What happens when a cactus is watered well, not too cold but is placed away from natural light? It etiolates, grows tall and thin searching for light. Here’s a couple of examples from the archives. First up, is a classic from Margaret Churchman from her desk in the once great company of Interface…

And here is James Martin’s, also an ex-employee of faded giant Interface, below…

Brighton!

It’s been a while, the cacti haven’t enjoyed the storms and frost snaps but those that have survived the winter will be nurtured back to life…meanwhile, a fab weekend in Brighton saw two little ones left in strategic places.

Firstly in The West Hill Tavern, whilst DJs Simon Price, Alexis Petridis & John Burgess were spinning the tear-jerking, heart-searching Late Nite Minicab FM tunes…

And then at what is the rebranded Leonardo Hotel, literally opposite the train tracks. Good luck to anyone that finds them.

Dentists’ Cactus - Thriving!

Missing-presumed-killed-off….what a pleasant surprise today that the cactus I gave to the Dental Surgery several years ago, that I was told was dead; is not only alive, but positively thriving!

It’s acquired a sombrero and lives in the Staff Room. Kerry brought it down to show me. Thank you!

Steve and Carrie’s Flower

Steve and Carrie sent me this today of their beautiful first flower…as happens sometimes the weight of the flower, particularly if the stem grows quickly, falls off. Still a beauty though! Well done both. And thanks for sharing.

Flowers on the same day

Two different cacti one owned by Steve and the other by Ceri flowered on 31st July 2022. Both owners kindly sent me pictures. Ceri’s flowers annually and prolifically whilst Steve’s was its first time.

Ceri’s plant

Steve’s

Best Tyre Place I’ve Been To Get Cacti

Getting your tyres done is one of the great levelling experiences in life. Like waiting for your baggage at the airport carousel, you mix with many different types of people. And no-one really wants to be there, but it’s a necessity.

ATS in Caldicot are, by some distance, the best car tyre depot I’ve ever visited. The four lads there not only work hard and efficiently but they’re really friendly and personable.

So I left them a cactus each.