New here and looking for advise

Joined : 15 Jun 2008 Posts : 5 Location : Brisbane

Hi all I am new to the forum and cactus in general. I have worked as a plant biologist for several years now mostly doing work with rare and threatened Queensland species particularly orchids. I have decided to venture into the world of cactus. I have recently purchased a house and am in the process of redoing the front garden beds and I would love to make this a cactus/succulent garden. Can anyone point me to some good books on cactus species in general and any particular species that will do well in Brisbane climate in the garden.

Subject: Re: New here and looking for advise Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:04 pm

Hi aussieorchid and welcome Very Happy

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Betty

http://community.webshots.com/user/parrotsheaven

Subject: Re: New here and looking for advise Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:45 am

Welcome aussiorchid. Most cacti should thrive in your climate, but it might be prudent to choose cacti that won't be too troubled by high humidity and too much water. For example things like Ariocarpus sp. & Astrophytum sp. should be avoided.

Depends how much space you have and what sort of sizes you were wanting to have. Clumping Echinopsis sp. should thrive also Trichocereus sp. will do well especially T.pachanoi and similiar, the Trichos can get pretty huge though. Certain Opuntia sp. would be worth a shot as long as they are not weedy ones. There is around 2,500 species of cacti out there and many more hybrids and cultivars, the list is quite possibly endless as to what you may want to plant. It also comes down to prefereance and what will survive and thrive in your climate.

There is some good literature to be had here: http://www.kimscactusbooks.com.au/

Hope that helps. Feel free to ask more questions here about it. We do have a few Northern members on the ACF, they might pipe up soon with some more suggestions as to what will do well in Brissy.
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mmm spikey...

Joined : 28 May 2008 Posts : 19 Location : ACT

Golden barrells (Echinocactus grunsonii) are popular, attractive and fairly easy to source.

From Wikipedia: "Jamie Durie, one of Australia's leading garden designers, has called it one of his personal favourite plants."

There you go! What further endorsement do you need!

Welcome to the world of cactophilia (no, not that kind of philia).

Joined : 07 May 2008 Posts : 377 Location : Melbourne

hylocereus and epiphyllums and all epiphytes should thrive in those conditions, but prefer a slightly shaded aspect. pereskia will do well.

Joined : 15 Jun 2008 Posts : 5 Location : Brisbane

Thanks for all the tips and advise. The area is about 6m long and 2m wide so I am hoping to have a few larger feature plants in the middle and smaller ones to fill in the spaces. Funny you should mention golden barrels squil as they were one of the feature plants I was thinking of. Are there any places someone could suggest in brisbane would be good but do not mind mail order for the right plants.