If you think it's nearing, why not just take it home anyway? No, I can't think of a way to predict it, other than the obvious gradual maturing of the bud. No, that won't happen unless the conditions are opposite to what's needed to bloom (i.e. raging snowstorm). Generally, if you can provide similar conditions, cactus flowers are not that sensitive.

Well I went out and pulled off the dark brown/black ones that have dried out. Cracking open the shell was a lot like cracking open some peanuts. Anyways, the beans that came out were perfect. I still have the original batch of soybeans from the asian market. My grown ones look almost exactly the same. The only difference is that mine are just not quite as fat. Also I'm growing some mung beans. Same deal there, I pulled off a dry pod and cracked it open. The beans look the same as the bag of mung beans I grew them from. I'm still amazed I got any beans at all from these plants. I mean I truly treated them like crap. They were not at the edge of my balcony but close to my door. So they only got direct sunlight for about 5 hours a day. The stuff at the edge get 8 or 9 hours. I grew them in crappy $4 for 40 pound "organic" potting soil. No fertilizers added or anything. I really haven't been very diligent with watering them either. These bean plants never had any good looking leaves. They've all been full of brown spots and frayed edges. I've built one of those earthbox type self watering containers and have a tomato plant and basil plant in it. They've grown so quick and look so healthy. I'm going to build some more and I want to try a soybean plant in there to see how it does when it's treated nice.

I already answered another post of yours, and it sounds like you might have already replaced the soil. (You can read my comments in that other post) Anyway, two things stand out in these pics: (1) no mulch (2) other stuff in the containers (lemon peels??) If you have pictures of the fungus that is now on the foliage, that might be helpful in diagnosing the specific problems you're now having.

Thanks, Joe! Exactly right. I call it "lace cactus" because that's easier to spell than "Echinocereus reichenbachii"! ;-) I've just found out that another common name for it is "hedgehog cactus". I'm just beginning to learn about this stuff, and I appreciate your help! Do you have yours outdoors or inside? Should I consider an application of fungicide, just in case, or should I leave them alone, seeing as they're thriving with absolutely zero care? Barb, I would SO go with you if I could!!! I'll be in Abilene, attending my sister's 25-year reception with her employer that day. If you ever come down this way, stop and tour MY gardens!!! Sadly, the entire tour will only take about five minutes...but then we can have refreshments! :-D