u/desert_forestvibes

I feel like these are the adult version of those Grow Animals/Sea Creatures I used to play with as a kid, I loved them. These things show growth just about as fast as those and when you forget about it for a few days and come back the growth is very noticeable. I am not sure if my love for collecting things I get super into or my love for those grow capsules out ways one or the other but definitely both have helped with the passion. And my love for nature in general. I used to travel around a lot and never could keep plants or animals but now that I am more of a home body I am able to get after it and care for things more. I move these around daily chasing the sun but I definitely want to get these into the ground in a safe spot all year round. Moving everything multiple times a day is a lot of work. How many others do the same or started off moving them daily and chasing the sun?

The big goal is to get a place where I don't have to move these to the sun in the morning and afternoon everyday. I slack at times but I want to grow these in full sun and be able to keep them outdoors all year.

Over the years I’ve wrapped a lot of pieces, but some of them go way beyond “jewelry.”

I’ve had the honor of working with ashes from a loved one, turning grief into something you can actually hold onto. I’ve created memorial pieces that carry stories words can’t really do justice to. I’ve even wrapped wedding rings in ways that mark not just a moment, but a whole chapter of someone’s life.

Those are the kinds of pieces that slow you down while you’re working on them. You’re not just shaping metal—you’re holding space for memory, love, loss, and everything in between.

It always makes me curious though… every artist and collector ends up with their own set of meaningful stories.

What’s the most meaningful piece you’ve ever made for yourself, or been trusted to create

What are people's opinions on the timing on harvesting these fruits for seeds? Was I a little early? They twisted off fairly easily. But the green at the bottom makes me think I rushed it a bit.

This is the last of my post of this flower. As some of you might know, last night was my first time witnessing a tricho flower open up in full bloom in front of me and it was quite the experience I'm hooked once again and so intrigued by this beautiful flower and cactus. I cannot imagine how it would be to have a big garden blooming All around me simultaneously or throughout the season. I am on my way there though🙏

Last night I finally got to watch my Trichocereus bloom, and I swear it instantly became my favorite houseplant... at least until another one catches my eye.

Honestly, my favorite plant is usually whichever one I'm currently looking at. They all have their own personality, and it's impossible to pick just one.

So now I'm curious—what's your favorite houseplant, and what makes it your favorite? Bonus points if you've got a picture. I love seeing what everyone else is growing.

Super blessed, First timer over here. As the birders would say. LIFER!

Super excited to watch my first bloom in person. I was already hooked but the cactus got me again. This passion/hobby just keeps on snowballing. 😁

I've posted this cactus flower about 47 times now on various socials, asking if it's going to bloom tonight or tomorrow... so let's make it interesting.

Who's taking bets?

Tonight 🌙

Tomorrow ☀️

It'll wait just long enough to make me look stupid... again 🤡

No actual gambling involved (unless someone wants to pay me in cactus seeds or cool grafting stock). Winner gets the satisfaction of saying, "I told you so."

Place your bets.

This isn't just a graft—it's my own version of the legendary "Frankenstein" Trichocereus from cactus jones.

It all started with the very first cutting I ever got at Barter Faire. Since then, I've added some incredible genetics, including Cultivars Delzera, Dr. Funkenstein, Austy Bomb, Icaro DNA, and a few others I've forgotten over the years. Every graft represents a different chapter of the journey.

What makes this one truly special is that I mixed a small amount of one of my friend's ashes into the soil. I know he would be stoked. In a way, he is still here, growing alongside something that's always brought me peace.

This cactus is more than a collection of cultivars—it's a living timeline of friendships, memories, and the passion that keeps growing.

What's the oldest or most meaningful plant in your collection?

I made this moldavite pendant in sterling silver with 14/20 gold-filled accents a while back. Looking back at it got me thinking—I've sold a lot of my wire wraps over the years, and most of them went to people I met briefly at festivals. Some I never got to know where they were from or where life took them afterward.

Sometimes I wonder where all those pieces are now. Maybe one is hanging in someone's home, maybe it's become an everyday favorite, or maybe it's traveled halfway around the world.

If you make handmade art or jewelry, do you ever think about where your creations end up?

Been building up a solid collection of Pereskiopsis stock specifically for grafting projects, and things are finally starting to get interesting.

I’ve got several healthy mother plants established now that are just about to hit that fast growth phase. Once they really kick in, I’ll be able to start producing a steady supply of fresh stocks for grafting work. Everything is being grown with that goal in mind—vigorous, clean, and ready to push growth on scions.

Right now I’m just dialing everything in and letting them bulk up, but down the road I’ll definitely be willing to part with some of the extra material as things scale up. If you’re into grafting projects, keep an eye out.

More updates to come as they start really taking off 🌱

These are some of my Copiapoa grafted onto Pereskiopsis. I know grafting can be a bit of a divisive topic in the cactus community, so I'm genuinely curious.

Do you avoid buying grafted plants, or do you see them as a useful tool for faster growth, propagation, and conservation? If you do discriminate against grafts, what's your reasoning?

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts—whether you're for them, against them, or somewhere in the middle?

What does the Astrophytum reddit community think? Questions, comments and concerns?

Jiimz twin on a grandiflorus.

Happy little plants.

I've been enjoying watching these two things grow.

Curious on what the community thinks about how long until this cactus flowers this I'm new to this flowering thing I'm getting excited is there anything I can do to make it Bloom bigger or am I already passed that? What's the timeframe until it pops?? Questions, comments and concerns?

A lot of my work I start with absolutely no plan and just wing the entire operation and hope for the best I usually don't scrap many pieces and it tends to work out for me. I've been doing this for about 16 years and only went through one phase where I would draw out and design a piece. This was 100% a free flow piece.

I didn't realize I could post a video for some reason I missed that. Here is a video of one of my recent post.