More inspiring stories from Dee's Cactus patch

I've found it interesting looking back at my plants a year ago, and comparing them to today. Sometimes, such as with this little "ugly cactus" I posted about last June. I didn't realize how much it had in fact grown until I looked back at my posts from a year ago. Quite the difference! It has since lost it's pot and gone into the ground but hasn't recovered enough from prior abuse to bloom.

This Echinocereus pentalophus (thanks for the ID Claude) looked dead in early Spring, and in fact one of the arms broke off when brushed by the hose. Notice the arms still look sick, but all the green growing out in the center. There are pictures of this cactus flowering last April here. It has the most amazing pink blooms.

And that supposedly dead arm? I laid it among the rocks in my little succulent area under the olive tree, and sure enough-there is fresh green growing at the tip of it.

This cactus came from a neighbor and I think it might be a "fence post" (Pachycereus marginatus) cactus, but really don't have an official ID yet. It was in a pot when I got it and one of the "posts" was leaning way over rather than standing straight up. I planted it in the ground and propped up the one leaning arm. It looks like it has adjusted to its new home with new babies popping up now. Hoping Claude or Aiyana can help me out with an ID on it! :)

Happy Cactus Monday...may your week be filled with prickly plants and a creative spirit. To see other amazing cactus themed art and photography from around the world just visit Terri's Painted Daisies.