Desértico

Chili Piquín Peppers

Chili piquín peppers (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) are small, fiery-hot chili peppers native to México and the southwestern United States. (Fig...

Mar 2, 2025 4 min read

Petal, a Nature Camera that Records Insects

This article features something a little different than I usually write about. However, this nature-inspired product is a nice fit because...

Feb 2, 2025 1 min read

Worm Castings Can Protect Against Agave Weevils

The agave snout-nosed weevil, an insect barely 3/4 inch long, can destroy a large agave plant in only a few days....

Jan 30, 2025 3 min read

foam cups placed on tips of cactus to prevent frostbite

How to Protect Cactus From Frost

Knowing how to protect cactus from frost will help it continue to thrive when warmer temperatures return. In the desert southwest,...

Oct 17, 2024 4 min read

What is Cactus Etiolation?

Cactus etiolation is a condition in which a cactus grows abnormally due to insufficient light. When a cactus doesn't receive enough...

Sep 18, 2024 7 min read

Cactus Coring to Produce Offsets

Cactus coring is a process used to produce offsets in a cactus that is either too young to produce offsets or...

Sep 12, 2024 4 min read

an example of cactus corking prickly pear cactus

What is Cactus Corking?

The term “cactus corking” might initially evoke an image of the latest TikTok challenge. However, in botanical terms, cactus corking refers...

Sep 7, 2024 4 min read

How to Propagate A Barrel Cactus

Propagate a barrel cactus and enjoy the desert's beauty with this easy-to-follow guide! The golden barrel cactus (Kroenleinia grusonii) is beautiful...

Sep 2, 2024 5 min read

How to Propagate a Bunny Ear Cactus

The bunny ear cactus (Opuntia microdasys) is incredibly easy to grow and just as easy to propagate. (Fig 1) To propagate...

May 22, 2024 6 min read