On November 8th, 2023, a fateful email was delivered to Academy students and staff:
Hello, Panther Nation,
Around a week ago, a cactus was placed by a Biology Lab window in a plastic draining pot. His name is Sweeney Todd. He loves sunshine, has been dehydrated for about four years, and was going to be repotted shortly. When he was purchased from the nursery, he looked like this:
Sweeney Todd on June 8, 2019 (Bridget Lomax ’24)
Sweeney Todd has since grown older and thinner (see: dehydration), and now he’s disappeared.
Do you know where he went? The stand was left behind, but the plant is gone.
Please help us bring Sweeney safely home,
Sweeney Todd was swiftly located by Mrs. Ameres’ period 5 AP Environmental Science class, to the school’s relief. However, the poor Chamaecereus silvestrii, or peanut cactus, was still desirous of help.
Several Pollinators Committee members elected to nurse the cactus and are still seeking additional caretakers. The qualifications? Enthusiasm. Sweeney will be repotted in the coming months with new soil in a plastic or terracotta drainage pot. He also may be provided a growth lamp to provide the Argentina native with a slightly higher light intensity.
Sweeney is now a Biology Lab staple and determined to thrive for the years to come.
Charlotte Knight • Jan 31, 2024 at 10:21 am
Sweeney Todd is so cool!! I might have to stop by and visit AP Environmental Science. It’s great that you saved him and gave him a healthier life.