Germanstar, I have grown sans for over 40 sum years and learned mostly from the last few years on Garden Web. This past winter I had a massive winter kill. Very strange for me. I never had this before and hope to never again. I sprayed and sprayed and dug out of pots only to see all rot to nothing. Well it is over now and I see new growth starting and most of my expensive ones survived untouched. If I was a newbe, I might have called it quits. As far as the Sans being slow. I read every post. I don't add to them when they get excelent advice from some one else. We had some very big growers and I would call experts on our forum and for some reason don't come back. I think if it was too fast would draw them away just the same. I hope they read in just like I do sometimes. Mike, Hope all is well with you and your mother. And you owe me nothing. You are a great guy who gives generously so you deserve to receive the same. The yellow Zanado just didn't do anything all winter long. At least it didn't get sick like my sans did. Still have you down for one. Also thanks for getting me hooked on Jades. Stush

Sorry Nancy. I should have clarified that I'm just referring to the main plant as far as misting and making a larger root base surface cut goes, since it has no roots. I've been advised I should mist the plant until I see new growth. I just thought it might be a flower bud, because I've noticed it grew from above the areole and is growing up and outwards. www.cactus-art.biz has a "Cactuspedia" where it shows a flower stalk on the species. I'm thinking the base of the stalk looks similar. If it is a pup, that also sucks some energy from the main plant, and I've got to get the main plant established first. *I had an old post a while back last month, and the links don't work anymore (wasn't thinking when deleting images on photobucket!)*

Hi Hilary, I didn't say less light in any of my posts. I usually try to get my cactus as much light as possible... Direct sunlight if I can. Even when I'm trying to callous a cutting. In the dark or dim light, the cactus cutting will not dry out much and will not be so eager to send out roots to find more water. As for peanut cacti having short round joints... not always... just the new joints. I had one that had joints that were 6-8 inches long... some a bit longer. But look at the difference in the areoles and the placement of them and the lenth of the spines in the following pictures. The Peanut Cactus has shorter, stiffer spines than the Rat-Tail and they're white as opposed to yellow. The first is the Peanut cactus the second the rat tail. Now look at the areols on your larger pieces of cactus? And by the way, the larger size is probably more like how large all the branches should be. :-( And another Peanut Cactus And the Rat-Tail cactus Which looks closer to yours? How about this peanut cactus? Here's links to both cactus on Desert-tropicals.com. Read the description/"Growth Habit" of both. Echinopsis camaecereus Disocactus(Aporocactus) flagelliformis I still think it's a peanut cactus... Which way are you leaning now? :-)

Hey Mike, I've noticed in your posts lately that you have seemed kind of down and I understand why. Just don't forget to take care of yourself along the way. You have helped and inspired so many people here and we are all pulling for you. When I needed to get rid of some plants I posted them for free on a local message board. I found that I enjoyed meeting and talking to the people that came by to pick them up, which made it less painful. Good luck