I Wasted A LOT of Effort with Planting Cactus

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Today, I want to share the story about how I completely messed up last year when I tried to plant the prickly pear cactus in the dirt bathtubs. I'm not proud nor ashamed, because I made a promise to be completely transparent and share both the failures and the wins.

After all, everything is part of the journey toward creating a desert forest.

This episode features insights from Thiago Barbosa of Syntropic Solutions, a key mentor in my agroforestry adventure. Thiago's expertise has been a game-changer, guiding me through the process and correcting my early mistakes.

Watch to learn, laugh at my blunders, and be inspired by the potential to transform even the harshest environments into thriving ecosystems.

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I Won a Small Battle in the War for Desert Water

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#desertforest #desertplanting #greeningthedesert

[GreenShortzDIY]

I see a lot of people saying, “don’t waste time going to Australia.” I’m of another opinion, that taking a week to see what’s been done and successful in another place, would not be a waste of time. I believe it would also provide you with rest, inspiration, and insight. This points to another important element of the Dustups project, making sure you remain resilient. Ultimately, I think letting the comments decide whether you go or not is the wrong measure. Go if you want to. Even though we are here to participate as viewers and support your efforts, our perspective is tilted by our own self interest. We all want to see progress on Dustups, but that shouldn’t be at the expense of your wellbeing. If you need a trip to Oz, take the time to do it. It would also help your viewers visualize the potential of what Dustups can be.

[MrMrHiggins]

We'd love to have you in Australia, but frankly, zoom calls and the exchange of documentation/video could teach you almost as much as a visit could. What you need now is more manpower to get as much of these "beginning steps" done as you can, as fast as you can.

[odenevyfer]

You said in the beginning of your project you'll FALL FORWARD this mistakes is part of the reason why we like your show.

[alm_alb]

You didn’t mess up, you’ve taught us all a valuable lesson. Thank you. Thank you all.

[bombadil]

Lightning Ridge sounds like a great idea. Long way to go though. A video meeting would also make for some interesting narrative.

[nml]

My vote is don't waste time going to Australia. Spend all your time working on your project. You now have expert help, use it and your time wisely.

[xyzabc]

I like the voice-over narration describing the scene so much more than your live chats with the camera when you're suffering heat stroke and can't talk straight.

[marilynmcconnell-twiss]

Have you thought about approaching manufacturers/processors who create masses of biodegradable waste eg fruit and vegetable juicers, canners, furniture makers etc and get them to divert it to your property? I remember reading a case study about tons and tons of orange peels being dumped in a wasteland which after a number of years created its own biodiversity forest.

[The.Talent]

It's not frog plagues in Australia. We love our frogs. It's the cane toad plagues. They are an invasive species and are terrible for our lands.

[ps-gqkm]

In contracting, we use gravel to make french drains, because gravel doesn't hold water.
Everytime i see you plant a prickly pear in gravel, It concerns me a little =)
Have you considered using a sifter/sieve to grade the gravel into fine, medium, and large aggregate? (Just for the bathtubs)
If you dug a bathtub, and then coated it with fines, then added a small layer of mediums on top to protect the fines from the sun, and then used the large around the perimeter to help keep the inside shaded a bit, it might help with water retention, as well as give the plants some material that is easier to hold on to...
It would probably be way easier to stand the prickly pear in the soil, after grading that way too.
Just make a frame out of 2x4, and staple some fine mesh to one frame, and some chickenwire (maybe 2 layers to make it finer) to the other frame. attach a back leg to the top, so that it stands on a 45 degree angle and throw your dirt through.
Just my 2 cents.
Best of luck!

[davidwilner]

"bathtubs" have been used for thousands of years in the canary islands and you're supposed to plant stuff at the BOTTOM of the bath, not around it! The idea is that moisture collects at night and seeps inwards, feeding the plants.

[jacobslichter]

Another great episode and appreciate, once again, the on-camera learning.

As to the question of whether to go to Lightning Ridge for an episode, if Thiago thinks you'll learn things there that you can't otherwise (or that the inspirational nature of the visit will be invaluable), then I vote yes. If, however, he thinks you've got what you need for now in terms of knowledge for taking the next steps, then I see no urgency to go. You've got your hands full and seem well-inspired as is.

Thank you, Shaun and Thiago, Brandon, and everyone else!

[michaelkelly]

Hi Shaun, Opal mining in Australia is done underground it is a method called drive method where you drive a shaft into the earth and then split off underground into new seams. Strip method or open cut is used for Coal, Gold and other ore bodies which are easily accessible from the surface. But your facts about the trees in Australia is correct and another is allot of our species of trees are actually designed to germinate once the fires have gone through.

[williampowlett]

Coming from someone who has a background in Horticulture and years experience of growing cacti;
It could be beneficial for you to have a centralised propagation station, close to water and where you can observe all plants at one time;
In the case of these cacti, it will take longer for them to establish roots as they are still photosynthesising (i understand that you are trying to minimise the sunlight on the plant, but it can be done more efficiently).
If you could bring a trailer load of soil and disperse in those bath's, it will act as a sponge and absorb the water, allowing it to seep into the ground as well - micro-organisms will also be able to breed more effectively, which ultimately give life to plant and soil - i would recommend setting up some shade barriers partially around those baths with soil and plants, as it will cool the soil, block the plants from the sun so they can prioritise their energy towards developing roots and not growing.

Hope this helps or brings inspiration to your project!!
Sending love from AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺🦘🫡❤️

[rm]

Flying to Australia to gain experience is same like cutting cactuses and transporting them, instead just planting them on spot. I would take money cost of flighticket and spend for planting, or bringing some organic matter, shadecloth etc. But flying to australia may get more views.

[tesha]

You can put some meshes between 2 poles to catch the dew, which is something I saw people doing in those ultra arid areas.
Water droplets form and you can collect water or direct it into those dirt tubs.

[Sixrabbbit]

If theres cows grazing, a long fence has got to be your first priority.

[Mrblefty]

I think the project would be best served with fencing. A small acre fencing project would be well worth a test. Maybe there are nearby lots that are fenced but not grazed, a tour of those lots would give insight into what results would be gained from fencing. I own a piece of land that is not grazed and when I compare it to the piece next door that is grazed the difference is stark. The piece that is grazed has a dozen different species of plants, my piece has hundreds of species. Good luck! I enjoy watching.

[OakKnobFarm]

I live in a fairly wet climate (New Hampshire) but many of your concepts still apply. I'm trying to control too much water, you're trying to save too little. but the earthworks are similar. The plants are totally different, but the ideas still apply. Keep trying new things!

[UltimateAscent]

Not sure if anyone has ever mentioned it to you, but your bathtubs remind me of the premise behind the “earth smiles” Just Dig It is using to help reverse desertification in vulnerable regions in Africa. They don’t plant anything, just create conditions that foster germination of the native seedbank within the soil, much like the volunteer shrubbery in your tub!