Hi Norma, I love Notocactus, but since most of the flowers are yellow I'm ready to branch out. My Grandma had a Echinopsis that flowered every summer. The flower was just white, but it still amazed me. So now that I can keep my plants alive and healthy, I'm ready to get more hybrids so I can enjoy the variety of colors. I only have a few Echinopsis hybrids now (I don't know what they are, they haven't bloomed for me and all the tag has is the flower color). I have ordered 4 from Ebay--they are on the way. I wanted to know what to do from the start in order for them to bloom. I also want to kick start the ones I have (including the Trichocereus). When you think about how big the flowers are it makes sense that they need a lot of food. The information in this thread helps a lot! Most of the information I read in the past was more about keeping them cool for a rest period. I'm really happy to find out that I can still order some of the gorgeous Schick hybrids. I've admired the pictures, but when I saw the date on the catalog I thought they weren't available anymore. I'm going on vacation in a few weeks so I'll place my order when I get back. And I'm guessing that the latest hybrid was named after you. What color is the flower? Thanks for your quick answer; I really appreciate it!

I would double-check that those are not root mealy bugs. If those white spots are fuzzy/fluffy, that's a big sign. Google photos of root mealy bugs and see if that's similar to what you saw when you pulled the plant out. I seriously doubt you would have mold from 5 minutes of rain. If your plant is infested with root mealy bugs, that could account for a lot of problems. Glad to hear it seems to have grown a few inches, though. Check into that, and if you can't rule out mealy bugs, look up the treatment for root mealy bugs. I'd keep the plant out of the soil for the time being; if you do have bugs, that will be the easiest way to clean it, and if the roots are too wet, being in the dirt certainly won't help. I'm sorry that you are having so much trouble with these; clearly something is going on!

There are still a few TC blooms today... This white TC is a little messed up because of my kitten. I took this photo a couple days ago, all excited that I finally had Easter Cacti blooms. A couple hours later, I heard a crash, and saw that my kitten had knocked it over and ate the blooms. I still love her, Iol. I recently got a cotyledon orbiculata pig's ear, love the shape. (I keep any could be toxic plants high up away from the kitten). I got to enjoy this spectacular cacti bloom, it's now with wonderful Mike. Yesterday had my first Magnolia bloom. This is 'Jane.' Not mine, but too pretty not to share, I stumbled upon this while out, 'Alexandrina' Magnolia. I LOVE finding mature magnolias in bloom :) -Nancy

I have a flower on my Aptenia cordifolia variegate. And I haven't even gotten it planted (repotted from the HD container) yet! My neighbor brought me a bunch of clippings she saved for me from her plants. She's had them in water for me. LOL I didn't tell her not to put them in water. We've had that discussion before. I was happy that she remembered me! I am redoing a couple of built-in planters and I think this will look good trailing over the edge.