mbvirtue's Blog

New Beginnings
Mar 30, 2008 | 3:55 PM PST
Tags: cactus seeds , seedlings , cholla , prickly pear

Christopher and I headed out to a couple of the local gardening supply stores to see what they had in the way of seeds. We found the usual suspects (beans, corn, peas, maters, peppers, melons, etc.) but we also found cactus seeds! I have never even owned a cactus, much less tried growing one from from seed. The packet gave pretty basic planting instructions, and since there are supposed to be 10 kinds of cacti in the envelope, we shall see what sprouts forth. Listed varieties are: saguaro, hedgehog, fishook barrel, dollar prickly pear, desert prickly pear, Christmas cholla, cane cholla, Santa Rita prickly pear, and cardo'n. I'll have to look up pictures of most of those, as the saguaro and prickly pear are about the only ones I've even heard of.

I also started the usual, peppers (lots this year, Christopher's been eating them raw like candy) and tomatoes. Only planted one variety of maters, as we've had so many volunteers in years past I had to weed them out! They produced, as well, which I've heard isn't usual. I'm now debating whether or not to have an indoor herb garden, with basil, oregano, chives, mint, maybe cilantro. Have all the seeds, even started mint today, but I'm not sure I'd be able to keep up with both gardens come summertime.

Now all I need to do is figure out how to put pictures into my blogs, as one is worth a thousand words, eh? 'Til then, look at my Photos, there's an album named "New Beginnings."

Cheers, and keep on digging!