Tis' the season for Cactus Flowers, 2022: A steady pace

[Silas_Sancona]

Starting a hair late this year, but off to a good, steady start so far.. Usual suspects starting off another long year of Cactus flowers ahead..

Beavertail Prickly Pears at the old house.. Anticipating no flowers this year on the pads planted here this year.







Ehcinocereus Trig. ( ..or coccinea ) looking good this year.. Noticed the other, shy - flowering Echinocereus i have in the yard there looks like it should throw a flower or two this year as well..



One of the small offset- size stems i took off the plant at the old house for the yard here, and another potted even carrying enough energy to throw a couple flowers.. after only being planted a couple months. More than likely, they'll take the next year or two off, working on getting themselves established first before flowering again..




Echinocereus  reichenbachii var. baileyi starting to bud up..  A little further along now..




Stenocactus sp.
 

AZ Rainbows ( Echinocereus rigidissimus v. rubrispinus ) and 2 of the 3 standard Glory of TX starting to bud up atm also.. Pair of White flowered specimens probably has another season to go before they'll flower.. Same w/ the Escobaria, White flowered Echinocereus rigidissimus / Echinocereus ctenoides bought last year.

Tis' the season.....

[Silas_Sancona]

Two new additions ( from yesterday's sale at Tohono Chul )

Nicely spined Echinocereus fendleri




Horse Crippler, Echinocactus texansis



Good signs of progress on rooting the Opuntia " Ohio " cuts as well..

[Silas_Sancona]

Big, Orange flowered Opuntia englemannii, and Cylindropuntia ..possibly acanthocarpa.. at the park   ..getting ready..





 

[Silas_Sancona]

Echinocereus reichenbachii v. baileyi



Echinocereus russanthus X " Cattail Falls "



Echinocereus schmolli.. Curve billed Thrashers " thrashed " a piece of this specimen when i first moved everything over to the new house, to the point where the stem on this cutting i stuck in the same pot broke off.. Doesn't seem to have fazed it..



Echinocereus X.. Possibly a " Roetteri " cross.  First time showing signs of flowering since i'd purchased the plant ..back in 2018..



Picts. from when it last flowered  ..and why i grabbed it.:




 

[teddytn]

@Silas_Sancona I can’t wait until the echinocereus sp. I’ve got start flowering. The first one I had, I think we talked about it before, reichenbachii was planted unprotected for 6 years and never flowered, had 7 or 8 stems at that point. Was getting shaded out under a rostrata and dug it in the winter…lesson learned lol. There’s a guy affiliated with PDN that crossed an echinocereus that is insane, believe it’s a coccineus. Let me find it…had to take a screen shot of a YouTube clip lol. Insane though, growing in NC 

[Silas_Sancona]

4 hours ago, teddytn said:

@Silas_Sancona I can’t wait until the echinocereus sp. I’ve got start flowering. The first one I had, I think we talked about it before, reichenbachii was planted unprotected for 6 years and never flowered, had 7 or 8 stems at that point. Was getting shaded out under a rostrata and dug it in the winter…lesson learned lol. There’s a guy affiliated with PDN that crossed an echinocereus that is insane, believe it’s a coccineus. Let me find it…had to take a screen shot of a YouTube clip lol. Insane though, growing in NC 

E. coccineus ( and all of the triglochidatus forms ) are great, tough Echinoceri when happy.. Think i'd seen pictures of other specimens growing quite nicely back east somewhere else.

 

[teddytn]

59 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

E. coccineus ( and all of the triglochidatus forms ) are great, tough Echinoceri when happy.. Think i'd seen pictures of other specimens growing quite nicely back east somewhere else.

 

I’ve got a couple trigs in the ground, look like the little old men of the echinocereus clan lol. 
I’ve been back and forth about a horse crippler to go in the ground here (raised bed pure gravel/ sand) worth a shot in your opinion? 

[Silas_Sancona]

36 minutes ago, teddytn said:

I’ve got a couple trigs in the ground, look like the little old men of the echinocereus clan lol. 
I’ve been back and forth about a horse crippler to go in the ground here (raised bed pure gravel/ sand) worth a shot in your opinion? 

Worth a shot..  Might read through this: http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/2231/Echinocactus_texensis/    for more detailed insight. 

Fyi: site itself is a wealth of good knowledge.. For me, info regarding what soil types X sp. grow in, watering schedules, and cold tolerance in winter is esp. important..

[RyManUtah]

First up for me, ending last nights all you can eat buffet is 

Trichocereus ‘rainbow giant’ x ‘whatever?’  

 

[Meangreen94z]

Echinocereus coccineus v. roemeri:

Gymnocalycium bruchii “ Coronel Pringles “Astrophytum ornatum:

[amh]

On 3/30/2022 at 1:34 PM, teddytn said:

I’ve got a couple trigs in the ground, look like the little old men of the echinocereus clan lol. 
I’ve been back and forth about a horse crippler to go in the ground here (raised bed pure gravel/ sand) worth a shot in your opinion? 

Echinocactus texensis is a slow grower, but should grow fine as long as you have good drainage.

[teddytn]

4 hours ago, Meangreen94z said:

Echinocereus coccineus v. roemeri:

Gymnocalycium bruchii “ Coronel Pringles “Astrophytum ornatum:

The damn astrophytum so gorgeous!!! wow

[teddytn]

1 hour ago, amh said:

Echinocactus texensis is a slow grower, but should grow fine as long as you have good drainage.

I guess I may have a horse crippler? Bought this guy from a little stand outside Kroger, unlabeled. Seems to at least be an echinocactus @Silas_Sancona @amh @Meangreen94z what do you guys think? 

[Meangreen94z]

6 minutes ago, teddytn said:

I guess I may have a horse crippler? Bought this guy from a little stand outside Kroger, unlabeled. Seems to at least be an echinocactus @Silas_Sancona @amh @Meangreen94z what do you guys think? 

That’s a Ferocactus, most likely latispinus ?

[amh]

7 minutes ago, Meangreen94z said:

That’s a Ferocactus, most likely latispinus ?

I agree, but I have seen horse cripplers drastically change shape depending on soil, light, and moisture.

[amh]

Sorry I don't have a better shot right now, but does anyone know this species? Maverick county origin.

[Silas_Sancona]

24 minutes ago, amh said:

Sorry I don't have a better shot right now, but does anyone know this species? Maverick county origin.

Pretty sure that is Thelocactus setispinus

[amh]

13 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Pretty sure that is Thelocactus setispinus

Okay, that is what I thought, but I had some doubts.

Even with hook shaped spines? Just normal variation?

[Silas_Sancona]

58 minutes ago, Meangreen94z said:

That’s a Ferocactus, most likely latispinus ?

Ferocactus ..but don't think that is a lati.  Central spine looks too narrow, and none i have seen < or had >  had the hair like " whiskers " around the Areole..  F. stainesii v. pilosa  crossed my mind as a possibility, but that doesn't look right either..  @Tom in Tucson  Any additional thoughts?

[Silas_Sancona]

3 minutes ago, amh said:

Okay, that is what I thought, but I had some doubts.

Even with hook shaped spines? Just normal variation?

https://llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/3447/Thelocactus_setispinus

[amh]

2 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

https://llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/3447/Thelocactus_setispinus

Okay, better pictures. Thanks.

[teddytn]

1 hour ago, Meangreen94z said:

That’s a Ferocactus, most likely latispinus ?

Thank you sir!

[Silas_Sancona]

12 minutes ago, amh said:

Okay, better pictures. Thanks.

..A lot of people confuse it with Ferocactus haematacanthus  (  http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/3403/Ferocactus_hamatacanthus   )    but in that sp.,  the flowers are always solid yellow  w/ no red / dark orange -ish eye.. Body shape is a little different as well.. 

My pair of T. setispinus  are just starting to show signs of forming their first flower buds of the season atm.

[Meangreen94z]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Ferocactus ..but don't think that is a lati.  Central spine looks too narrow, and none i have seen < or had >  had the hair like " whiskers " around the Areole..  F. stainesii v. pilosa  crossed my mind as a possibility, but that doesn't look right either..  @Tom in Tucson  Any additional thoughts?

Maybe Ferocactus gracilis var. coloratus grown in poor light?

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, Meangreen94z said:

Maybe Ferocactus gracilis var. coloratus grown in poor light?

Believe it or not but think his specimen might actually be young F. wislizeni,  ..one of it's forms anyway..  ( maybe F. w. herrerae )  has the " whiskers " around the Areoles, and the darker central spines,  and is pretty common.. Could be wrong of course.. but don't think the other contenders, like F. gracilis var coloratus, and / or F. g. gatseii  would be as easily encountered outside more specialty growers.  Regardless,

Funny because i blanked on seeing " whiskers " on specimens out in the desert.. 

S.E of Tucson last August:





Agree, needs more Sun ( gradually expose it to more light  ).. NO fertilizer,   and if  it is in an organic soil mix, get it out of that asap. Wants lots of chunky stuff that drains well.

[Tom in Tucson]

3 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Ferocactus ..but don't think that is a lati.  Central spine looks too narrow, and none i have seen < or had >  had the hair like " whiskers " around the Areole..  F. stainesii v. pilosa  crossed my mind as a possibility, but that doesn't look right either..  @Tom in Tucson  Any additional thoughts?

Pretty sure it's a Ferocactus wislizeni.

Hi 88˚, Lo 52˚

[teddytn]

9 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Believe it or not but think his specimen might actually be young F. wislizeni,  ..one of it's forms anyway..  ( maybe F. w. herrerae )  has the " whiskers " around the Areoles, and the darker central spines,  and is pretty common.. Could be wrong of course.. but don't think the other contenders, like F. gracilis var coloratus, and / or F. g. gatseii  would be as easily encountered outside more specialty growers.  Regardless,

Funny because i blanked on seeing " whiskers " on specimens out in the desert.. 

S.E of Tucson last August:





Agree, needs more Sun ( gradually expose it to more light  ).. NO fertilizer,   and if  it is in an organic soil mix, get it out of that asap. Wants lots of chunky stuff that drains well.

In gravel/ coarse sand mix, it got as much light as I could give it over the winter (south facing window, with supplemental fluorescent light above) start transitioning all the cacti/ succulents outside as soon as the weather stabilizes. Spring has been really wacky here so far. Still scheduled to get a few more nights in the 30’s here. This is that bad time of year where the suns angle is getting high and only the plants right in front of a south facing window get direct sun, but still too cold to set everything out for the season lol

[Silas_Sancona]

Glory of Texas, Thelocactus bicolor  season ramping up..

2nd oldest that flowered the other day, already working on it's second bud..



Oldest on cycle #1 after quickly budding up last week.

Saturday..


..Today..





While not ready to put on a show just yet,  with the colors of  those newer spines, White flowered form of Glory of TX  may not even need to flower to attract attention..




One of the 3 Echinopsis subdunada  specimens, caught just as mid day heat was wilting the flower.. Other two specimens i have are kind of " going through some things ", lol ..at the moment, and may ( ..or may not ) decide to flower this spring..



** A quick correction.. Last time i posted a picture of it flowering, miss ID'ed this specimen as Echinocereus reichenbachii var. baileyana but didn't catch my error. ..Is E. r. var. albispinus..

[RyManUtah]

Echinocereus reichenbachii albispinus is my second. A little surprised due to size, but no complaints - seems to like the spot. 

 

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, RyManUtah said:

Echinocereus reichenbachii albispinus is my second. A little surprised due to size, but no complaints - seems to like the spot. 

 

Very dependable, small Echinocereus.. Mine is tucked in a shadier than i'd like spot right now ..but flowered anyway..  Notice it looks better as it gains size and more stems.

If you don't already have a couple, highly recommend a couple groups of Glory of TX ( Thelocactus bicolor )  Your neighbors will probably stop to ask what they each time they flower..  Considering putting a couple somewhere out front here..

Rest of the buds on the oldest specimen decided today was the day to pop..

[Meangreen94z]

Echinocereus reichenbachii:

Echinopsis hybrid:

Astrophytum ornatum:

Gymnocalycium erinaceum:

Gymnocalycium mesopotamicum:

Gymnocalycium baldianum:

[RyManUtah]

..and then there were three. 
Trichocereus candicans

[RyManUtah]

15 minutes ago, RyManUtah said:

..and then there were three. 
Trichocereus candicans

Scratch that. More opened 

[Meangreen94z]

Gymnocalycium DamsiiLobivia famatimensis 

[Silas_Sancona]

Not the greatest picture, but good enough for the moment..

Echinocereus X ..Possibly a Roetteri or Lloydii cross ( Usually, a naturally occurring cross between E. coccineus, crossed w/ E.  dasyacanthus ..or something similar, like E. dsayacanth. var. ctenoides )  Same specimen that hadn't flowered for a couple years. Is another flower forming on a different stem that will hopefully wait another few days before opening. 

Got lucky and dusted the flower w/ some pollen from a Echinocereus gentryi that was flowering ( the bright, almost - florescent, Red Orange specimen i've shared pictures of in the past )



As explained in the past, aside from the much bigger flowers,  fairly reliable way to tell the difference between Echinocereus  like coccineus,  and those like dasyacanthus  when flowering,  look at the floral tube.. E. dasyacanthus ( and many crosses ) will often have a wine glass-like neck between the fruit and flower, that is held higher than E. coccineus ( no " neck " between the fruit  and the flower itself )

E. dasyacanthus = Neck / " flared ", Wine Glass- like  floral tube.  ~2018 season ~


E. coccineus ( ..or trig. ) = No / or very short neck / no distinct " flare ".  ~2020 Season ~


 

[Silas_Sancona]

A few..

Better quality pictures of the Echinocereus X roetteri





Echinopsis X " Gene Joseph Cross "





New seed batches for 2022:

Stenocactus sp, Harvested off my  specimen back in 2020. Only time it has actually formed fruit after flowering so far.



Possibly Echinocereus dasyacanthus X E. gentryi  i crossed back in ..2019 ..or 18.  Have some other crossed stuff on the burner atm as well..



Hard to see but, Echinocereus seed collected out east of Florence, back in 2020 starting to pop.. 



Have Ferocactus fordii  and  ..either Fero. wislizeni, or Saguaro ( May have / or may have forgotten to label both seed  batches after cleaning / putting in canisters ) down waiting to sprout atm also.

[Meangreen94z]

A few from West Texas.

Echinocereus triglochidiatus:

Opuntia sp. :

Opuntia spinosibacca:

Opuntia sp. :

Opuntia sp. :

Opuntia sp. :

Grusonia schottii

Opuntia sp.:

Opuntia Azurea:

Opuntia strigil:Echinocereus enneacanthus:

[RyManUtah]

Desert ‘Strawberries’

Echinocereus engelmannii

 

[Silas_Sancona]

Trichocereus ** Self - named **  Ballarina Pink.. Not sure who ..but someone was munching on part of the flower before it opened.




Echinocereus rigidissimus var rubrispinus, specimen #2. #1 popped about a week ago.  Took Pollen from it and applied to the next two.








Last flower on the Echinocereus X roetteri specimen.. May be hard to see but lots of Magenta back lighting to this flower, esp. when viewed from this angle.



Echinocereus subinermis var. ochoterenae.. Lemon petals, Lime Stigma = pretty sweet combo.






On the way :

Echinocereus cinerascens.



Coryphantha sulcata pair..  2nd one has always had the malformed growing point issue..   Luckily, tip - borne offsets are getting big enough to be removed / potted up.






Little more time / little more heat = more seeds popping / gaining size..

Stenocactus sp.



Echinocereus **possibly ** dasyacanthus X gentryi cross




Echinocereus englemannii / fascicularis " Rock Tank "



Fero.  Fordii



..Next Echinocereus ..something.. jut starting to pop.

[aztropic]

On 4/3/2022 at 1:18 PM, amh said:

Echinocactus texensis is a slow grower, but should grow fine as long as you have good drainage.

Bullet proof species! They have an incredible scent too,as a bonus...

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona