churchhaus

hello

besides getting interested in cold hardy bananas, i have been developing a cold hardy cactus bed over the last couple years.

i live about 30 miles west of the twin cities--MN, zone 4, although until this last winter, which really was a zone 4 winter, it has been pretty mild, and we've been able to push the limit on a lot of things.

looking to expand my opuntias, need some diff colour blooms. have a good variety of echinocereus, some cholla, some escobaria, pediocactus.

these are all winter hardy, but i'm going to start adding some extra protection so i can even "push" the zone more and add extra, I LOVE CACTUS/SOUTHWEST!!!

i'm always looking for new sources especially "locally", but anywhere! and any experiences with any other Z 4 cactus growers.

thanks

Bob

Very interesting. I don't know much about cactus but would like to hear more of what your growing. Can you post some pics. This sounds cool.

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stevenbick

i have a cold hardy opuntias it flowers yellow i believe that the fruit is edible its pretty tasteless but i can guarantee if it is edible i do have a large cutting if you would like to trade for something

churchhaus

hi,
thanks for replies! Stephen, unfortunately, the opuntia i have most of blooms yellow, it's the MN hardy variety.

Bob, i'll try to get pictures soon, i haven't actually been out in the garden a whole lot yet, i had ankle surgery in january and still hobbling around on crutches.

we need to move the whole cactus bed jyet this spring , the neighbors trees keep growing and making more shade, and we do manage to find more to add to it. actually found a hardy euphorbia and bitterroot to add--wonders will never cease!

thanks, good gardening and a good cup of coffee!

Bob

Yikes!!!!! It takes a while to get over an ankle injury. Don't rush it and set yourself back.

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alpha010

On-line Guide to the positive identification of Members of the Cactus Family - hit their forums and see what the cacti experts think! I believe that there are some Disocacti and agaves that would thrive there. Good Luck and Break a leg! (or sprain an ankle) lol

Shaggy

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bigdog

I don't know if you've seen this site, but it has an amazing variety of super cold-hardy cactus for sale:

Cold Hardy Cactus Home Page

They have some really neat Opuntia hybrids, and many different colors. I love just looking through that site! I've never ordered from them, but a friend has with good reviews. Good luck! You are in a very challenging zone!

Frank

alpha010

I'm always up for a good cold-hardy fruit bearing plant....If any of you have cacti that bear decent fruit.... let me know if you would be willing to part with a cutting....

Shaggy

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LOL! My house doesnt exist on the member map!


Get a little Love in your life. Jump in a Mosh Pit! The only place where every emotion one person can feel will join together and express all at once.

churchhaus

Hello all,

First, I've been chastised for not using "caps" on my sentences etc.,not here, another site, so I'll try to be better!!! I'm an artist not an English major, my punctuation and sentence structure went out the window tossing pots and mixing oils, sorry!

I haven't been on the site for awhile, thanks for input. I do use cold hardy cactus site, Thank you bigdog.

We spent the weekend out in the gardens moving plants and adding shade gardens. Me, well I did a lot of crawling on my hands and knees, but I was in the garden!

Thanks again all---good gardening and a good cup of coffee too!