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Toddrickfl1

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Wondering if I'm doing something wrong here. I bought the broad leaf Testudo mix from Tortoise Supply about a month ago. I sprinkled a good bit of it outside in my Tortoises outdoor enclosure and watered it for about a week and nothing grew. I didn't bury it though I just sprinkled them on the ground. So I tried again and sprinkled more but this time I covered them with a thin layer of dirt. I watered it daily again for almost 2 weeks now and none of it's sprouted. Does it have to be warm for it to grow or something? We've had a few nights in this time that went down to about the 40s. For the most part though it's been 60s at night 70s during the day. It's spring here and everything is starting to bloom and grow. I've seen everybody else have success growing it rather easy here on the forum and I'm wondering why it's not for me?
 

ascott

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Wondering if I'm doing something wrong here. I bought the broad leaf Testudo mix from Tortoise Supply about a month ago. I sprinkled a good bit of it outside in my Tortoises outdoor enclosure and watered it for about a week and nothing grew. I didn't bury it though I just sprinkled them on the ground. So I tried again and sprinkled more but this time I covered them with a thin layer of dirt. I watered it daily again for almost 2 weeks now and none of it's sprouted. Does it have to be warm for it to grow or something? We've had a few nights in this time that went down to about the 40s. For the most part though it's been 60s at night 70s during the day. It's spring here and everything is starting to bloom and grow. I've seen everybody else have success growing it rather easy here on the forum and I'm wondering why it's not for me?

Are you a natural green thumb? or do you suck at plant care? I mean, that does matter. Me, it is hit and miss and I can not brag about a green thumb, that is for sure....
 

Toddrickfl1

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I usually have a pretty green thumb. I don't know what the problem is.
 

EllieMay

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I usually have a pretty green thumb. I don't know what the problem is.

Could be something in your soil... I had a barren area of just cracked dirt where nothing grew... I scooped my horse poop and raked it in with the dirt then put out the african grazer mix. It’s now growing like crazy... so organic fertilizer maybe??
 

Toddrickfl1

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Could be something in your soil... I had a barren area of just cracked dirt where nothing grew... I scooped my horse poop and raked it in with the dirt then put out the african grazer mix. It’s now growing like crazy... so organic fertilizer maybe??
I might try some organic fertilizer. The area I'm trying to grow them already has some dandelion, clover, and grass growing though so it doesn't make sense.
 

Oxalis

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Anyone have any tips for growing Christmas cactus? Mine has been looking sluggish and I'm not sure what it needs to perk back up. :oops:
 

Yvonne G

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Seeds are "hard wired" to sprout when the temperature of the earth reaches a certain number. Different seeds sprout at different heat factors. Maybe your little spot of soil isn't warm enough???
 

Len B

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Things are starting to come back here at the Beach, The first pic is of the banana tree that I left in a pot out in the cold to see if it would survive, It didPicture 001 copy.jpgThis is a tree that I moved last year and it is now going to be at least 3 treesPicture 005 copy 2.jpgThe original group of banana trees, Picture 002 copy.jpg If I removed all the dead leaves and trunks the ground would heat up quicker but leaving them in place keeps the soil moist later in the season. This cactus type is what I like to feed during winter when it's real cold, This year I cut it back by over 50% and it's ready to bust loose with new growthPicture 003 copy.jpgThe spider eggs are looking good, These are within 8 feet of each other so I'm going to move some so they don't eat each other. Last year they didn't get carried away far enough from each other by the breezes.Picture 006 copy.jpg Picture 007 copy.jpg Picture 009 copy.jpgWalker enjoys the spring grass and weedsPicture 015 copy.jpg
 

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Oxalis

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This looks like our lawn that we refuse to treat with chemicals, unlike most of our neighbors... Our tortoise sure loves the "organic" treats!

Things are starting to come back here at the Beach, The first pic is of the banana tree that I left in a pot out in the cold to see if it would survive, It didView attachment 270008This is a tree that I moved last year and it is now going to be at least 3 treesView attachment 270009The original group of banana trees, View attachment 270010 If I removed all the dead leaves and trunks the ground would heat up quicker but leaving them in place keeps the soil moist later in the season. This cactus type is what I like to feed during winter when it's real cold, This year I cut it back by over 50% and it's ready to bust loose with new growthView attachment 270012The spider eggs are looking good, These are within 8 feet of each other so I'm going to move some so they don't eat each other. Last year they didn't get carried away far enough from each other by the breezes.View attachment 270013 View attachment 270014 View attachment 270015Walker enjoys the spring grass and weedsView attachment 270017
As usual, love seeing your banana plants and cactus. They look happy! :tort:
 

jaizei

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So I went looking at some property in a less developed area and had to look twice when I saw this. Dont think I've ever encountered spineless opuntia like this growing "wild".

Probably won't eat it since I dont know 100% its origin, but it'll seed a new colony.20190509_100006.jpeg
 

Yvonne G

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So I went looking at some property in a less developed area and had to look twice when I saw this. Dont think I've ever encountered spineless opuntia like this growing "wild".

Probably won't eat it since I dont know 100% its origin, but it'll seed a new colony.View attachment 271800
Nice find!

Are you looking to move house?
 

Oxalis

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So I went looking at some property in a less developed area and had to look twice when I saw this. Dont think I've ever encountered spineless opuntia like this growing "wild".

Probably won't eat it since I dont know 100% its origin, but it'll seed a new colony.View attachment 271800
Very cool!! :)
 

KarenSoCal

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I might try some organic fertilizer. The area I'm trying to grow them already has some dandelion, clover, and grass growing though so it doesn't make sense.
I know I'm really late here, but....
I have been trying for 2 years to get seeds to grow here, with horrible success.

The only thing I can come up with is that most seed packages say "keep consistently moist". When first planted, I watered morning and evening, but I think they still dried out between waterings.

So next year I'm going to plant where a sprinkler can be turned on slow all day. I don't know if it will work, but it's my last ditch effort.
 

CarolM

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So I went looking at some property in a less developed area and had to look twice when I saw this. Dont think I've ever encountered spineless opuntia like this growing "wild".

Probably won't eat it since I dont know 100% its origin, but it'll seed a new colony.View attachment 271800
Those are the type we get here in South Africa. We don't get the thin pads. Just the thick ones like you see in your pic.
 

CarolM

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I know I'm really late here, but....
I have been trying for 2 years to get seeds to grow here, with horrible success.

The only thing I can come up with is that most seed packages say "keep consistently moist". When first planted, I watered morning and evening, but I think they still dried out between waterings.

So next year I'm going to plant where a sprinkler can be turned on slow all day. I don't know if it will work, but it's my last ditch effort.
Why don't you grow the seeds in trays and then replant once they are sprouting or established?
 

CarolM

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Good idea. I just don't know where to put them. I'll try that next year also. Thanks!
No problem. You could create a mini green house in a warm window. You would in essence put the seed trays in a shallow wooden box. Line the box with plastic, place the trays in the box and then cover the trays with a clear plastic. That will help keep the seeds moist.
 

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