Been building a new Cactus house

Discussion in 'Greenhouse' started by Zigs, Sep 13, 2021.

  1. Dirtmechanic

    Dirtmechanic Young Pine

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    Well on the bright side, if you can find that metal it works well for firepits or raised beds!
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2022
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  2. Zigs

    Zigs Young Pine

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    Ta :) I was keeping the right side of them.
     
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  3. Zigs

    Zigs Young Pine

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    It'll work well sold on gumtree to go towards the cost of the new roof too :D
     
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  4. Zigs

    Zigs Young Pine

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    Getting on with the new roof...

    DSC00313.JPG

    This is the cactus house roof from above, considering it had sharp metal roofing sheets with nails poking out bouncing off it, it did ok. Only a few gashes that needed repairing.

    DSC00270.JPG
     
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  5. Dirtmechanic

    Dirtmechanic Young Pine

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    You are not allowed to put soil up there and grow plants, correct? Do you bear watching by those that know better or have you a (haha) plan?
     
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  6. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

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    Not allowed to grow anything on the roofs? Bah! Here people have grass roofs on houses, cottages, boat houses, outbuildings, and a lot of nice things grow there, even trees. They're not supposed to be there of course, but a lot happens in a hundred years or so if one doesn't keep a close watch.
     
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  7. Zigs

    Zigs Young Pine

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    I'm replacing the metal sheets with Sandtoft clay tiles...

    It'll be an ideal habitat for House Leeks, now who do we know around here that sells House Leeks? :whistling::whistling::whistling: :D

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  8. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

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    Exactly! House leeks were traditionally planted on roofs to protect against lightning, fires, storms, and witchcraft. It's also an old medicinal plant, and is said to be a gift from Jupiter. The custom is said to originate from King Charlemagne (Charles the Great) of France who demanded it be planted on the roofs of all his buildings. The custom spread north, but since Norway didn't have a lot of house leeks we used Rhodiola rosea, Goldenroot, instead. And there she went again, rambling on... Sorry. You're welcome.
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2022
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  9. Zigs

    Zigs Young Pine

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    Got a few Houseleeks ready :D

    DSC00439.JPG
     
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  10. Zigs

    Zigs Young Pine

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    Captain Neem Oil has done a Ukrainian language video

     
  11. Zigs

    Zigs Young Pine

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    An Austrocylindropuntia vestita :)

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  12. Zigs

    Zigs Young Pine

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    And an Opuntia monacantha :)

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  13. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    In South Texas, there is a cactus called "grey beard". Is that possibly the same as your Austrocylindropuntia vestita ? Ours is very picky as to heat and dryness. Would you believe we can't grow it outside because we aren't hot enough?
     
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  14. Zigs

    Zigs Young Pine

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    Unlikely that it's the vestita, that comes from Argentina but there is the Echinocereus viridiflorus that lives only in the Big Bend Ranch State Park :)

    Could it be that one @marlingardener ?

    https://aneyefortexas.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/greybeard-cactus/
     
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  15. Zigs

    Zigs Young Pine

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    First flowers of the year are opening :)

    DSC00469.JPG
     
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