It seems trite and trivial to show photos of cactus flowers the day after yet another senseless tragedy that destroyed families and ripped apart a community. But in the face of so much helplessness and lack of hope, it's only human to cling to what beauty there is in the world. At least I can give you a little bit of that today.
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| Echinocereus durangensis blooming for the first time. Some taxonomists lump it in with Echinocereus polyacanthus, a widespread species found across the southwestern US and northern Mexico west into the Baja California peninsula. |
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| Echinocereus viereckii ssp. morricalii |
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| Echinocereus viereckii ssp. morricalii |
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| Echinocereus viereckii ssp. morricalii |
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| Echinocereus pentalophus, white-flowering form |
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| Echinocereus pentalophus, white-flowering form |
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| Acanthocalycium spiniflorum from Argentina |
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| Echinopsis oxygona, a species native to southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina. Usually it's the Echinopsis hybrids that get all the attention, but there quite a few straight Echinopsis species which produce amazing flowers as well. |
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| This one is a hybrid, though: Echinopsis 'Forty-Niner' with pure yellow flowers. The body of the cactus itself is only 4 inches tall. |
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| I removed this Echinopsis hybrid, an old Johnson hybrid with plain red flowers, from the front yard last September to make way for Echinopsis 'June Noon'. At the time, I put the stems in a crate with the intention of giving them away. Well, fast forward eight months, and they're still in the crate, uprooted and with no soil at all. Clearly, that didn't stop them from doing what they do best: produce voluptuous flowers! I'm so in awe of this neglected cactus! |
© Gerhard Bock, 2022. All rights reserved. To receive all new posts by email, please subscribe here.
If that Ecinopsis hybrid needs a home...next time you are in the area, Ive got a spot waiting. (Just trying to help!) ;^)
ReplyDeleteGood things happening at the same time as terrible things is the way of our world. But there's no better comfort than nature's beauty.
Deal! We'll be your way soonish to help daughter #2 move to a new place near campus. But first off to Victoria, BC for the "official" graduation of daughter #1 (two years late!).
DeleteYou've amassed quite a collection of flowering cactus, Gerhard. I think I've been negligent about paying attention to all the options out there.
ReplyDeleteI can hook you up with some if you're interested :-)
DeleteStunning. The crated Echinopsis is telling you it deserves a place back in the garden
ReplyDeleteWhat a survivor! I feel even worse now, having neglected it like that.
DeleteEye candy! All of them.
ReplyDeleteYou must find room for a bit of the Ecinopsis hybrid in your garden, or in a pot... or a crate :-D
chavli
The ruthless scientist in me now wants to now how long it can survive off nothing but air :-)
DeleteHB and you have expressed so perfectly what I have been feeling since another great tragedy in the U.S. My garden is differently a place of solace to me. I neglected an Echinopsis in the same way a few years ago and it flowered well too. I felt guilty about it at the time but it is in the ground and happy now. Love all the cactus flowers; my Echinocereus viereckii ssp. morricalii bloomed recently too. This cactus plant sure isn't beautiful but the flowers are!
ReplyDelete