Dairy farmer Stan Armstrong has never been one to shy away from a challenge. So it’s not surprising that he and his family have figured out how to grow more than 100 varieties of cactus in their on-farm greenhouse.

The sideline business got started 5 years ago when his daughter gave him a gift of saguaro cactus seeds. Now, cactus growing is a pleasant diversion from the dairy business. He sells to a local chain of retail nurseries.

“The coloring of the plants when they bloom is amazing,” Armstrong says. “When you stand among the plants that you grew and nurtured, it’s really peaceful. It’s really pleasant in the greenhouse with the smells coming off the flowering plants.”

The business is named Rita Lee’s Nursery after Armstrong’s wife who helps along with the couple’s adult children. Together they have learned how to water, fertilize and nurture the different cactus varieties, which all have different needs.

“We use 5 or 6 different fertilizer mixes,” Armstrong says. “In the winter we basically maintain a 45 to 50-degree temperature.”
At the same time, varieties need different environments. Christmas cactus plants need shade, moisture and coolness, for example, while desert cactus plants prefer it dry and hot.

The biggest challenge in Oregon is humidity. Armstrong has learned to treat black mildew with hydrogen peroxide and other common household products.

The Armstrongs continue to seek out new varieties and start their own plants with seeds and cuttings. Last year they added 50 new varieties.
“Orchid cactus (Epiphyllum) are the most enjoyable to look at and watch grow,” Armstrong says. It has big, fragrant, 5-in. orchid-like blooms in various colors that trail from the plant on stems up to 6 ft. long.

As he gets close to retiring from the dairy business, Armstrong plans to grow his cactus operation. He plans to add two more greenhouses – and grow even more varieties.