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Arizona Gardening

I need help identifying this cactus. Not sure what it is.

Gabriel Leandro

8 years ago

Featured Answer

grant_in_arizona

8 years ago

Fun cacti, Gabriel. They are Myrtillocactus geometrizans cacti, botanically speaking. They're sometimes called "blue myrtle cacti", but most folks just call them myrtillocactus. They are one of the best, most popular plants for the Valley. Full or partial sun and water only when dry keep them happy and growing. Love them. Happy gardening!

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Comments (6)

nmfruit
8 years ago
I love this cactus! It has turned out to be one of the few easy reliable fruit-bearing plants for my sunroom. I'm in zone 6, so can't grow it outside. I have it in large pot that I move out for the summer. It bears tiny seedless (I only have one so no cross pollination) delicious fruit resembling blueberries. It has a nice look and grows rapidly into a large columnar shape.
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Need help identifying to make sure not poisonous to kitten.
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Comments (6)
Very much appreciated, thank you! I will make sure that's out of his reach, and if he expresses too much curiousity in it, I'll have to give it away, I guess. Sad, because I've had it for quite awhile! I have two other main varieties of plants in the house, one palm-like plant and two "mini-trees". Would you be able to verify the names of them for me? I'm 99% they're fine for cats, but need to make sure. Here are the links to the respective images: http://lh3.ggpht.com/_nx7isMSRw4s/Snm55G3tnGI/AAAAAAAAACY/slb2IGXtGnI/s512/DSC01320.JPG http://lh3.ggpht.com/_nx7isMSRw4s/Snm55XKARCI/AAAAAAAAACc/w-A-1h5j9Ms/s512/DSC01322.JPG
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Need help in identifying this cactus
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Comments (4)
Not a cactus, but a succulent milkweed (Asclepiad). It's almost impossible to ID them out of flower, but yours should flower this year. A little more sun would likely hasten that process.
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need help identifying this cactus
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Comments (2)
Not a cactus but a Euphorbia, many of which look like cactus (but are in a different family) - convergent evolution in succulents is well demonstrated by them. That soil looks a little rich for it, but if it's growing well for you.....Anyway, Euphorbias are known to have a sap (milky) that can be a skin irritant or worse, depending on the person and the species of Euphorbia, so keep it away from your skin and all mucous membranes.
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I need help identifying this cactus/succulent
Q
Comments (6)
It looks to me like a small aloe, maybe Crosby's Prolific? I am in FL and the big-box stores generally have a bunch of these in each shipment from local growers. I think they are commonly grown by nursery suppliers, at least in the states. With those little pink beads surrounding it, it's hard to see the soil. If it is an aloe, it's a succulent; they need "soil" that drains easily, lots of material in that soil to aerate it and let the roots spread. (Research "gritty mix" and you will find a ton of info.) Many people grow aloes in full sunlight, but mine don't do well in direct sun. They prefer bright light and even partial shade.
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nmfruit
8 years ago
Oh yeah, forgot to ask if anyone grows it there for the fruit, and how large are the fruit when you have multiple plants for cross pollination.
Gabriel Leandro
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks so much everybody! I never would of known that it produces fruit. Can't wait for that day!
grant_in_arizona
8 years ago
Fun discussion! Mine do produce a lot of small tic-tac (hah!) sized fruit. Everyone says they're delicious but the birds beat me to them. I'll try to grab one to munch! Happy gardening!
grant_in_arizona
8 years ago
Okay, I ran out and grabbed a fruit and popped it in my mouth, hah! It's actually quite tasty, VERY blueberry like. Here are some quick pics of the fruit and some new flowers. Happy gardening all!

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