Stunning Columnar Cacti Growth, Summer 2026
This post shows just the tip of the iceberg for spring and summer work this season, but is special in that the entire crop of Key tree cactus has been up-potted to 1gallon pots. Last year’s “early responders” are gaining height already in 3gallon pots, and a few are 41 areoles high. Video below features them in this year’s “promenade wak”. Fall and winter growth on these in the greenhouses is usually vigorous. Picking up where I left off last October, I finally completed up-potting the Myrtillocactus geometrizans “blueberry cactus” and they are branching out prolifically. The lion’s share of Harrisia aboriginum and Harrisia simpsonii are now in 1gallon pots too, with half of the quarter-sized Mammilaria nivosa in 4″ pots. A few more weeks of up-potting, then some early cold prepping and I may just have time to get some serious artwork done throughout the winter.
jvfreeman
James V. Freeman is an established visual artist (oil painting) with a deep interest in natural history, plants and farming. He has had numerous solo shows, a solo museum show, an upcoming museum show and his work has been featured in many publications to date. He currently has a studio in Williston, Fl at the family farm and homestead, "Cactus Island", and as a farmer, specializes in growing columnar cacti of the Caribbean and Gulf countries as well as the aquatic Madegascar Lace Plant. James and his mom Sharon manage and develop the permaculture homestead.
