Drying Cactus

[mickey cassiba]

I have several cactus to cut down. They are similar in structure to Saguaro, which was used a lot in adobe construction. I have worked on adobes dating back to the late 1800s, so I know that properly dried, it can be a quite woody substance. Have any of you southwestern turners tried drying cactus, and if so do you have any hints about drying green stuff?

[Jim Underwood]

There's lots of info on cactus processing over on the international penturners association website. Essentially you let it liquify, then blow the gunk out of the skeleton with a hose (or something like that). From all accounts it's a pretty smelly process...