T-rex Plants Blog

Published weekly. Ish. You can also follow along on Instagram at @trexplants

The Lazy Guide to Growing Exotic Houseplants

In a post-COVID world, where the houseplant craze has died down and the bubble of insane prices has popped, it's super accessible to grab some fun houseplants to try. Or you're like me, and snagged a bunch as you came across them, and now you're trying to figure out...

How to Grow Lithops lesliei

I've been growing many of my lithops for several years now, and I'm far overdue for some detailed posts about the specific species in my collection! I'll start off with the popular and enormously easy to grow Lithops lesliei - a distinctive species with an enormous...

How to Spot and Treat Aloe Mite (It’s Not Easy)

Ahhh, aloe mites. The bane of most aloe growers' existence. If you've been diligently collecting your aloes for years, growing several in the ground for those giant trees, the last thing you want to see is one of those little cancerous looking lumps. While they won't...
Conophytum Eye Candy, Part 3 – Visit to Steve Hammer

Conophytum Eye Candy, Part 3 – Visit to Steve Hammer

As I said earlier, I took hundreds of photos when I visited Steve's, but I've cherry picked the best to post here.  Steve was a wealth of knowledge, kind, friendly, and it was wonderful to visit. His assistant, Oakes, was also extremely kind and helpful in showing off...

Conophytum Eye Candy, Part 2 – Visit to Steve Hammer

Conophytum Eye Candy, Part 2 – Visit to Steve Hammer

These photos are of named species that I could identify, although I won't claim any expertise in what's what.  I personally struggle to grow conophytums, or at least I have in years past. I think I tried too hard with them before; too much water in their off season,...

Conophytum Eye Candy – More from the Steve Hammer visit

Conophytum Eye Candy – More from the Steve Hammer visit

While there were oodles of Lithops at Steve's place, what was truly special was the sheer quantity of amazing specimen Conophytum. They were all just starting to wake up for the winter growth season, and beginning to bloom.  It was interesting to talk Conos with Steve...

Care Diary: Gymnocalycium vatteri

Care Diary: Gymnocalycium vatteri

I love Gymnocalyciums, and these are one of my absolute favorites. With an appearance that looks like they were chiseled into shape, mild spines, and huge, showy flowers, there's a lot to love about these cacti! Species Description and Distribution Gymnocalycium...

Care Diary: Thelocactus hexaedrophorus

These incredibly slow-growing, turtle-shell looking cacti are one of those species in a collection that can be a clear indicator that you've encountered a real cactus nerd. They're uncommon (and slow growing) enough that you rarely, if ever, see them at your typical...

Care Diary: Epiphyllums, the Orchid Cactus

Unassuming in appearance, even vaguely ugly (depending on who you ask), the Orchid Cactus is an unusual looking plant whose true beauty lies in the huge, beautiful blooms they product through late spring and early summer. Depending on the species, they'll bloom only...

Surprising(ly Stinky) Stapeliads

Originally printed in the February edition of the San Diego Cactus and Succulent Society newsletter. Easy San Diego Growers The genus Stapelia hails mainly from South Africa, as many of our favorite succulent species do. They’re generally low-growing, spineless, and...

How to Germinate Anthurium magnificum Seeds

Continuing the theme of Anthurium magnificum this month, I also recently harvested my Anthurium's berries and successfully germinated the seeds! Most of what I've read about Anthuriums has said that they're not self-fertile, but this plant made two blooms that just...

Anthurium magnificum Bloom Cycle, Continued

Anthurium magnificum Bloom Cycle, Continued

Continuing the bloom cycle of my Anthurium magnificum, right around the end of the month the plant decided it was done with the female phase of the bloom cycle and it was time for pollen. You can see the previous photos of the inflorescence emerging and entering...