This cactus hidden at Cornerstone in Cardiff, was found tonight by lovely guy Elaeth, after I gave a talk there. Was delighted to meet him especially after he climbed up to the balcony to rescue it.
Sandra’s Radical Repot
Disclaimer: Please don’t try this at home!
So, Sandra decided she didn’t like the shape of Vin Diesel. He needed some Bobitting she felt…so she lopped off the top and then chopped up most of the remaining body of the plant, leaving a stump, which her research tells her will re-grow.
Before:
Marine Safety Ladies, Wexford
Joel and I met these three lovely souls who, as part of a 140 strong team, voluntarily patrol the harbour of Wexford, Ireland to look out for people in distress. We gave them a cactus each. It was the least we could do to thank them for the wonderful work they do. Well done and thanks for what you do, Mary and friends.
Pompeii and Herculaneum
Two little Day Of The Cacti placed carefully and respectfully at both Pompeii and Herculaneum - will anyone find them?
Here is the one at Pompeii…
And Herculaneum above.
The Monument, London
A small cactus to be found at the site of the Great Fire of London this evening.
Etiolation
What happens when a cactus is watered well, not too cold but is placed away from natural light? It etiolates, grows tall and thin searching for light. Here’s a couple of examples from the archives. First up, is a classic from Margaret Churchman from her desk in the once great company of Interface…
And here is James Martin’s, also an ex-employee of faded giant Interface, below…
Seed Babies
Potted up some seeds from one pollinated flower of Summer 2021 a couple of weeks ago and they are germinating nicely.
Solihull Cactus Seminar
Lovely to see a group of people going about their business completely and blissfully unaware of the little cactus in the corner (see Cactus Bombing from yesterday).
Bernard’s Cactus Goes Home in Style
Belgian colleague Bernard collected his cactus from HQ after a couple of weeks’ babysitting courtesy of Receptionist Marianne - here it is going home like royalty!
Earliest Flower Ever
Our Kid sent this picture in on 13th March, two flowers on his cactus which lives in his bathroom at home. Very confident that this is the earliest ever flowering. Well done Our Kid!
Harry the ace mcMan
Great guy Harry who works at Macclesfield McDonalds got a little cactus today. I visit many drive-throughs, and this guy is the best. Hope you enjoy your cactus Harry!
Brighton!
It’s been a while, the cacti haven’t enjoyed the storms and frost snaps but those that have survived the winter will be nurtured back to life…meanwhile, a fab weekend in Brighton saw two little ones left in strategic places.
Firstly in The West Hill Tavern, whilst DJs Simon Price, Alexis Petridis & John Burgess were spinning the tear-jerking, heart-searching Late Nite Minicab FM tunes…
And then at what is the rebranded Leonardo Hotel, literally opposite the train tracks. Good luck to anyone that finds them.
Dentists’ Cactus - Thriving!
Missing-presumed-killed-off….what a pleasant surprise today that the cactus I gave to the Dental Surgery several years ago, that I was told was dead; is not only alive, but positively thriving!
It’s acquired a sombrero and lives in the Staff Room. Kerry brought it down to show me. Thank you!
Steve and Carrie’s Flower
Steve and Carrie sent me this today of their beautiful first flower…as happens sometimes the weight of the flower, particularly if the stem grows quickly, falls off. Still a beauty though! Well done both. And thanks for sharing.
Flowers on the same day
Two different cacti one owned by Steve and the other by Ceri flowered on 31st July 2022. Both owners kindly sent me pictures. Ceri’s flowers annually and prolifically whilst Steve’s was its first time.
Ceri’s plant
Steve’s
Best Tyre Place I’ve Been To Get Cacti
Getting your tyres done is one of the great levelling experiences in life. Like waiting for your baggage at the airport carousel, you mix with many different types of people. And no-one really wants to be there, but it’s a necessity.
ATS in Caldicot are, by some distance, the best car tyre depot I’ve ever visited. The four lads there not only work hard and efficiently but they’re really friendly and personable.
So I left them a cactus each.
The McInnes Family Collection
CN Depth Charge (top left) and some of his offspring - all healthy when visited at the end of June 2022 - well done Rob and the Girls! Top cactus growing.
Antri from Pósturinn, Hveragerði
Lovely man Antri who works in the Post Office in Hveragerði, Iceland. Thank you for being so friendly to Sarah and I.
Fernando: the DC3 Shuttle Bus Driver
Great guy Fernando with his cactus. Fernando is the shuttle bus driver to the abandoned DC3 wreck in the south of Iceland.
Cacti in Dubai
On the international front: Great news that my friend Zubair sends this morning that his baby cacti have arrived safely in Dubai. We tried during lockdown and they were postmarked as having got into the country, but were sent back. These ones made it through!
