Monday, June 22, 2009

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.

9 comments:

Cathy S. said...

You are so lucky to live in the right climate for cactuses and succulents, great photos!
Happy Cactus Monday!

Margaret Ann said...

Love those itty bitty babies...Amazing ho wMother Nature carries on! HCM! :)

Diane AZ said...

It is inspiring to see those cactus making progress and doing so well. I love that one with the babies. Happy Cactus Monday!

Teri said...

It is so fun to see what was and what miracles you have created with your loving care.

HCM!

Julie said...

I think your cactus are all beauties!!!
Happy CM!

Claude said...

It looks like a Pachycereus marginatus to me... but I'm not really overly familiar with that species. And a lot of those tall columnar cactus look alike... you may have to wait for a bloom to pin it down for sure.

You have some wonderful plants...

kesslerdee said...

Thanks for all your comments.
I am continually amazed at how much abuse cacti will take! I killed every houseplant I ever tried but these desert plants are tough. They just need sun, water and a crazy lady that talks to them. :)

Deborah Godin said...

Here in Canada, I get the little itty bitty potted ones for my miniature "garden" but they don't even bother to put the names on any of them! Nice to come here and see the full size ones, and try to guess what I have!

Aiyana said...

You (and Claude) are right about the Mexican Fence Post cactus botanical name. Mine developed new stems in the past year, and they are about 6 inches long now. The two original stems have grown at a rate of about 1-1/2 ft. per year. This is one of my favorite cactus'. During monsoon season, I stake and tie the stems loosely to prevent breakage during winds storm and microbursts. Probably not necessary, but they really sway in some of the more violent storms.
Aiyana