New Cactus Setup | Cookie's Cacti Got A Makeover! | Giveaway Draw & Winner Announcement

[@cookiescacti]

I've received multiple messages from folks who entered the giveaway who did not see their names on the entry list. We found out that KZbin blocks certain comments - it was for sure blocking comments that contained the word "Inst...m". I guess the two platforms are competitors. I apologize to all of you who entered with comments that didn't make it through. I'm also glad we found out this "problem" now because I am planning to do another giveaway with the series finale of the Cactus Seed Soil Battle. I will make sure that everyone knows about this when we go over the next giveaway instructions and rules. Thank you all so much for your support! Luv, Cookie & Jenny

[@CactusCaffeine]

Oh wow! Your backyard looks so much bigger. Nice job. So much more space for plants. I’m sorry about your Copiapoa seedlings. 😕 Congratulations to the winner! Better luck to me next time. 😊

[@cookiescacti]

Thank you, Ana! I'll have another giveaway in November, this time more prizes to give out 😊 Hope you'll join in on the fun again!

[@Yeah-wf8rp]

@@cookiescacti please ship to other countries too, Jenny

[@cookiescacti]

​@@Yeah-wf8rp Which country are you at? I really wish I could but, unfortunately, it's illegal to ship plant material to some countries, including seeds. Some folks here have let me know that the EU is extremely strict about it and that it's not worth the risk. Navigating the law is too much for me to handle, so I have to limit shipping to US addresses. It's unfortunate but I want to make sure I'm not violating any country's laws and policies.

[@Yeah-wf8rp]

@@cookiescacti Im here In Germany sadly

[@cookiescacti]

@@Yeah-wf8rp you just gave me an idea though... Non-plant material giveaway... Then there are no issues with international shipping! I will keep this in mind and see if there's something fun we can do in the future.

[@mikec1096]

I am not an expert by any means, I barely have a handful of copia seedlings, so I do not want to comment on watering, heat, etc. But just from looking at some of those that you say are dead and dying , I would't give up on them. Cacti are great at going dormant and truing various shades of red, but then turning around and starting to thrive. I have personally posted pictures for ID where people have wondered if it was dead for it to only live on for 10+ and going years later. They may not look great, but just leave them alone. Often times the meddling is worse. You are really good with plants! amazing and it is a joy to watch your videos. Thank you!

[@cookiescacti]

@@mikec1096 funny you should mention this, Mike. I have a gasteria that looks completely dead, totally dried up, but I left it where it was for months because I was too lazy to move the pot. I went to water the plants around it yesterday and guess what? There's a new pup growing from the base of the "dead" plant, smh!

[@ChopsticksDIYGarden]

I love the updated landscape. It's so clean and spacious.

[@cookiescacti]

I so appreciate it! I'm loving it too, although rearranging and putting things back seems to be a neverending activity!

[@lealee13569]

Love the new set up! Those astrophytum and Ariocarpus look amazing (they all look amazing, I’m just a little biased 😅)

[@cookiescacti]

@@lealee13569 thank you so much! There's still so much more setup to go and I'm tired of sweating 😂 (I'm also biased towards Astros and Arios if you can't tell and you know what they say about great minds 😁)

[@icebiker3]

You are so ambitious to do a makeover of your whole yard. Hello Cookie!

[@cookiescacti]

@@icebiker3 omg... There were moments of panic and high anxiety when the guys said I needed to move my plants out in one night.... They gave me 2 nights instead. Memories I don't need for now 😂

[@CampCaudex]

Wow your backyard looks AMAZING! Moving plants such a large amount of plants is such a pain but rearranging them is so fun at least for me lol.

[@cookiescacti]

@@CampCaudex thank you so much! And I agree! There is something delicious about rearranging the grow space and plants. (And a pain at the same time lol).

[@lillamy2896]

It looks so neat. So happy for you. Continue to show plants thats not doing well. Thats makes it more intresting to watch.

[@cookiescacti]

Your comment inspired the video I decided to release this weekend 😊 I'm so glad you appreciate seeing the challenges of growing. Your comment is a nice reminder that loss is such a huge part of this hobby, and it's good to acknowledge it.

[@lillamy2896]

@@cookiescacti Looking forward to it. Its saturday in Sweden so I guess its comming lastest on Monday

[@tara1971able]

Hello to you and Cookie! Oh my goodness your backyard area is AMAZING!🤩 well done! I remember from one of your previous videos you mentioned that the seedling trays were solid bottomed, and this was creating an issue? Perhaps consider using vented bottomed trays? This may help with ventilation and lessening the risk of water retention. IDK if that would help but it’s an idea… unfortunately also a possibly expensive endeavor! Happy growing and keep these awesome videos coming!

[@cookiescacti]

@@tara1971able thank you, Tara! I feel like it's a bottomless hole of putting things back! With regards to the trays do you mean putting more holes into the trays? Those darn sensitive Copiapoa! All the other genus are fine just those darn Copiapoa!

[@rohansmith2571]

Copiapoa dormant season is summer, so I think its because they were repotted at the start of the dormant season (which in itself isnt a big issue) and then watered, so its double, roots not established yet, plus heat, plus water. Stress yes more from the above rather than being moved although it probably wouldnt help. Copiapoa is the only cacti I prefer to repot early Autumn.

[@cookiescacti]

@@rohansmith2571 is that true for all Copiapoa species? Or some? I've found that some need water in the summer while others need much less.

[@mrspeachi4378]

Wow, your new space looks great!! Can’t wait to get a full tour once everything is settled. And congrats to the giveaway winner!! Do you think you’d ever sell some of your seedlings? I’ve been a fan of your channel for such a long time, I would totally fangirl out at the opportunity to grow a Cookie’s Cacti plant!!

[@cookiescacti]

I've continued working on rearranging things outside but I feel like it's neverending.... it feels like a bottomless pit of things to arrange lol. I'm in a constant debate about what to do with my seedlings. Are there any you're particularly interested in? Send me a message on IG or email when you have time.

[@az.cactusjunkie]

Ill put money on that "potting area" quickley converting into a cactus shade house 😂 jk Everything looks great! Also, if it makes u feel any better, all us viewers have the same "problem" u have so dont stress over it too much cuz there are far worse addictions out there than the one all us cactus heads have.

[@cookiescacti]

@@az.cactusjunkie that's why I love it here so much. Here, the platform we do not name, and the CACSS - people who understand and have the same addiction 😂

[@mattoakley2246]

I always say that I absolutely do not have a problem with how many plants I have! In fact I'm really good at it!

[@cookiescacti]

Ha! Love this attitude and I consider it a talent!

[@SweetetKiss5]

Your yard looks great!

[@cookiescacti]

Thank you, Maria! All those weeds I tried to keep out of frame in the past lol

[@HumanBean520]

Backyard looks great. We recently remodeled our entire backyard and guest house. Luckily I don’t have any many cacti as you 😅 I only have a few poas but mine are actively growing and are fine with weekly watering this summer, so strange

[@cookiescacti]

That's so not fair that your poas are fine with weekly waterings! 😁 Cooler weather is just around the corner and I can't wait until being outside doesn't cause me to lose a gallon of sweat.

[@sarahzuber8219]

Nice! I am buying a house and the backyard is all dirt. So I definitely need ideas and recommendations for cactus shade spaces and hardscape ideas!

[@cookiescacti]

Ohhhh that is so awesome that you have a blank canvas to work with! I would love to see what you decide on doing. I felt like my decisions on this project were biased by what was there prior. If I had started from a completely blank canvas I often wonder if things would have turned out different. But I'm happy with what I have!

[@TheRipdub]

Hopefully your cacti that got sunburned make it! It's my first year and I made a similar mistake. Lost a lot of my seedlings as well.

[@cookiescacti]

Omg, I have some plants in the front yard that after they trimmed the tree the shade the potted plants relied on was suddenly gone. Let's just say there are burn marks that appeared shortly after... Oops!

[@megsanusa]

Love your new backyard setting!!! Gosh! I wish i could rent a room in your house and live there...LOL. Im in nyc so temperature and humidity level is totally different from your environment. And i mainly grow echeverias with some cactus like copiapoas, mammilalia, astrophytum, etc. During the winter they come inside the apartment with led light and gets more or less once in a three weeks bottom soak good amount of watering. This year from late spring, i kept them outside the second floor window, a basket tied to ac clip, with shade cloth to prevent sunburn and birds. Doves are the problem here. Plants in a basket...they think its a luxury condo. LOL. With this setting, i noticed cactus do great, they love that conditions including heavy drench of rain approximately once a week, sometimes 2-3days repeatedly. Bcos they are ina breezy basket outside. Indoor echeverias with led and fan, sometime ac on, in the other hand, some melted when the heat wave came and i was watering every three weeks. I bottom soak very well, with my soil, which drains good and dries excess water in a few days, almost dried in one week, second week to be completely dried, third week for the plant starts to use their water inside, then followed by the next watering. They did better last year when i was watering them every two weeks but some etiolated. So seems like theres a fine line between weakened being too dry&hot vs. thirsty but can wait a few more days. So i figure cutting water too long also weaken them. They love sun, off course. And they like water. But they also love breeze. Im still very much a beginner. Your absolutely right. We learn from mistakes. It hurts alot though... Happy planting! Im enjoying your videos !!!

[@cookiescacti]

I love reading your experience with the cactus in your climate! It's so wild how our climate is so vastly different and yet we can keep the same genus of cactus and succulents (well, maybe not Echeveria for me lol). My mom was here today telling me about reading your comment and getting a kick out of your wanting to rent a room in my house for the sake of the cactus! 😂😂😂

[@garryspurlock3741]

Airbnb for cactus lovers!

[@cookiescacti]

@@garryspurlock3741 😂😂😂 i like this idea... Very original!

[@andersnrregren9087]

Lets hope the birds stay away,,,,, 6k ? Congrats

[@cookiescacti]

Let's do hope. I saw the birds scoping out the space... How's your slug situation going? Yes! 6K subs! I remember when you were rooting for 1K.

[@andersnrregren9087]

@@cookiescacti one slug i think and i cant find it so every morning one or a few more seedlings missing tops but what was i going to do with 600 super kabutos anyway

[@cookiescacti]

@@andersnrregren9087 omg it's like a buffet for the slug. How many seedlings do you have left?

[@PG-ex3kl]

Maybe 15 shades of grey! Looks great, I’m about to build a shade house for my production! Great inspiration thank you!

[@cookiescacti]

Omg I'm laughing at "15 shades of grey", we need to trademark that. I am excited about your new shade house! Are you building it yourself? I wish I had the know-how for building things, it would make customization possible without completely breaking the bank.

[@PG-ex3kl]

Yes, I’m a landscape designer working in the Mediterranean, I plan to open up my own cactus and succulents nursery on the island where I live! Your videos are great inspiration!

[@tianiasunshinearts9097]

❤❤❤❤❤❤awww man 😂😂😂 I was so hoping I would win I would've been bragging about my cacti seeds from cookies cacti❤❤❤❤❤❤ nice makeover by the way looks amazing my friend have a great day❤❤❤❤

[@cookiescacti]

Awwwwwww! I'm planning to do some more giveaways so there will be more opportunities to get a Cookie's Cacti something or other 😁

[@gianmast5528]

Hello Jenny!! Amazing job with your garden and the pergola! Sorry to hear about your copiapoas dying😢😢. I was wondering, will you leave only the shade cloth over the pergola or are you gonna put some waterproof stuff above it for the winter rains?

[@cookiescacti]

Thank you! It sucks so much every time we have another die off but I guess it's just part of the learning process. I will leave the silver shade cloth on and remove the extra shade sail once fall arrives. The plants love the winter rains so no waterproof stuff will be added.

[@pelikanidolazetrceci2793]

Looks great.

[@cookiescacti]

@@pelikanidolazetrceci2793 thank you! Looking forward to the cooler weather so we can spend more time outside

[@LM-auntBIGG10.]

I'm trying to grow cactus now. Your large cactus could you tell me how long it took for them to grow that big

[@cookiescacti]

Let me know the timestamp for the plant in question

[@andersnrregren9087]

Copiapoa dont like water in the heat, you told us last time you gave them water during the last heatwave and some started dieing

[@cookiescacti]

@@andersnrregren9087 but I watered them before the move and they started recovering from the dessication from me not watering them. I'm so confused on them!

[@yoyoyohihihidude]

Copiapoa are coastal plants and do not like extreme heat in my experience

[@cookiescacti]

@@yoyoyohihihidude yeah, I've heard this from a lot of folks. And yet they can grow in Arizona somehow. I've chatted with experienced growers here who treat them the same as all the other cactus (which is what I do with mature Copiapoa and haven't had any issues). There's something about these 2 year old seedlings that make them more sensitive than the adults and younger seedlings.

[@rebeccaz789]

What kind of water do you use?

[@cookiescacti]

@@rebeccaz789 hose water! Just tap, sometimes I'll acidify with vinegar and add some fert for the faster growers

[@zcoanmcoan1534]

Give yourself a break! You obviously need more space! If you want a stunning and perfect collection maybe give yourself a little more room. Your hard looks really big though!

[@cookiescacti]

well "perfect" may never be achievable by chaotic mess. Don't encourage me to expand lol! I need to control the madness 😂😂😂

[@zcoanmcoan1534]

@@cookiescacti Noo! You should!

[@cookiescacti]

​@@zcoanmcoan1534😂😂😂 bad influence!

[@DEAexotics]

strange I don't see my name there and I followed every rule

[@cookiescacti]

Sigh, KZbin may have removed your comment. I learned through this experience that YT blocks comments with the name of the other platform Inst...m in it. Next time I'll make sure to let everyone know to avoid that word in the comments. Apologies on the hiccup!

[@DEAexotics]

@cookiescacti makes sense damn but it is what it is lol... with all your extra cacti you want to donate I would love to purchase some if that was possible I am addicted to cacti and plants I am always looking to expand my collection and I would be honored to have some in my collection

[@FaithRickett]

I entered this giveaway and my name wasn’t on the list 🙁

[@cookiescacti]

@@FaithRickett oh no! YT might have removed your comment.... We found out the hard way that they don't like comments with the name of the other platform Inst...m. I just went through the comments on that video and I don't see your comment so it's very likely that YT removed it. After this trial I'll know next time to instruct folks to avoid writing the name of the other platform. Apologies on the hiccup!

[@FaithRickett]

@@cookiescactiAhhh yes I can imagine that’s why, my IG handle is the same as here on YT! No worries, thank you for replying 🫶🏼 Maybe next time 😊

[@cookiescacti]

@@FaithRickett definitely next time! I'm glad we figured out these issues now so we'll be ready for next time 🙏😺