Cactus Season ...2024

[Silas_Sancona]

A touch ahead of schedule perhaps,  but kicking off regardless.. 

Echinofossulocactus ** formally Stenocactus **  ( ..or is it the other way around .. 🙃🤔) gladiatus  < Me thinks >  getting the party started... Beavertails,  n' early season Hedgehogs  on the way...

2 Angles..






Welcome,  ....to a new year of spiny flowering thingzzz...

[Silas_Sancona]

Hedgehogs starting to pop 



Opuntia -other than Beaver tails- gearing up



 ....Beavertails?   about a week or so  to go.

[Silas_Sancona]

As stated earlier,   ...Tis the season ..For Cactus...

E.  coccineus  










Shy - er Hedgehog budding up..  Also weathered the mid winter shift of planting site just fine.




First of the Beavertails



...With the rest of the Opuntia at the old house not too far behind..

Opuntia  X " Pina Colada ".    Opuntia " Texas rest stop collection "  hanging out in the upper left hand corner of the shot.



Opuntia macrocentra  ..or azurea   ...or both.

[Silas_Sancona]

Some Beavertail fireworks on the 1st day of spring.. We'll see how many more buds decide to pop open tomorrow.
















Echinocereus reichenbachii v. albispinus  waking up..





** Not pictured ** Noticing the first hints of possible flower bud formation on the larger pair of Echinocereus rigidissimus v. rubispinus as well..

Edited March 20, 2024 by Silas_Sancona
edit

[aztropic]

Mostly Mammillaria species flowering at my house now...

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[aztropic]

A couple ancient Strombocactus disciformis that I've had over 25 years - still in the same pots I originally bought them in. 

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[Silas_Sancona]

Beavertail madness..










Last of the E. coccineus before it finishes up..



... some extra Hedgehog madness too ( Perfect E. triglo. specimen down the street in this case. ) Interesting how 98% of the open flowers are on the south / West facing side of it while those on the north side are still tightly closed ...for now at least.










Trichocereus X " Volcanic Sunset " budding...

[Silas_Sancona]

A few more, as we wait to see how quickly things start to warm over the next 9-11 days.

Shy flowering Echinocereus a few doors down.





Arizona Rainbow twins gearin' up..



..White flowered E. rigidissimus as well.



Glory Of TX should be up next, though only one of the smaller specimens is budding atm.  Need  some  heat..

[Silas_Sancona]

A few Blooms  ..and a few more blooms soon..


Echinocereus reichenbachi v. albispinus






Opuntia X " Pina Colada "








Opuntia macrocentra  ..Full of Cactus Bees.






Thelocactus bicolor gearing up ...err, just about ready to pop.    ...One of the smaller specimens at least. All 3 are budded.  Waiting to see if the White flowered " Glories " will bloom this year.






Echinocereus ctenoides " Melchor Muzquiz " peeking. Maybe more than one flower on this specimen this year..



after ..5 years since purchasing from the former??  Stoney Creek Cacti, one of the  Echinocereus dasyacanthus  may finally decide to flower.


 

[aztropic]

Some various currently flowering...

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[aztropic]

It's Trichocereus hybrid season once again! This is a species with big, beautiful,flowers, produced by the hundreds of thousands,and sold by every big box in cactus suitable areas. Hard to resist,they almost sell out completely,every year. 

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[Silas_Sancona]

Opuntia X " Pina Colada " caught mid- transition ( ...between yellow when opening, and Pink later on, or the following day before fading. )







O. macrocentra  ..Mostly bee free today..






Wait a day, and the Thelocactus come out to play..



Echinocereus reichenbachi albispinus 2 of 3 flowers open.



Echinocereus " The Shy One "  with a final harah.. Quite Purple as well.



Opuntia " Texas Rest Stop " ...loaded, All of them..




Trichocereus " Volcanic Sunset " ..Premier Dimmitt hybrid





Opuntia X " Ohio " w/ a  bud on it this year.

[Meangreen94z]

Opuntia azureaOpuntia hybrid Not a cactus, Hesperaloe campanulataEchinocereus pentalophus Escobaria viviparaGymnocalycium saglionis Echinocereus pentalophus Echinocereus coccineus v. roemeriOpuntia. Hybrid

[Peter]

Nice one at the Huntington yesterday

[Meangreen94z]

Trichocereus hybridsOpuntia azurea x rufida

 

[Meangreen94z]

[Silas_Sancona]

A few

Echinopsis subdunada



An unusual case of " Weather has been nice enough this spring that we're going to bloom again " over at the old house..

Beavertails



Echinocereus coccineus ( ..Old phone doesn't capture the actual color well ..at all,  lol )




...A super rarity that finally decided it was time to flower..

Peniocereus viperinus    ..Have had this specimen since 2016 or 17.  Despite the assumption that it is cold sensitive, mine has done fine outdoors, all year, here.. Last two tucked away in a spot where it gets no sun -at all- during the dead of winter / has shade cloth slung above it all year. Regardless, two wetter than typical winters haven't bothered it, nor the quick dips into the lower 30s / hour our two right around 30 a couple times while seated in that spot.

As you can see, not much to look at when not flowering, but noticed a bud forming while doing some spring clean up out there.  Flower bud has hung on and is ..maybe a day or two from opening.  We'll see a single flower will be enough for fruit / seed formation.  May start some cuttings regardless.




AZ Rainbows on the way, we'll see if any of the Trichos decide to flower, and noticed buds starting to form on one of the White Flowered Glory of TX..  Looking over both carefully, it's twin also appears it will flower this year as well.. 

 

[Silas_Sancona]

Test shots..

Echinocereus rigidissimus v. rubispinus



Echinocereus ctenoides / *** dasyacanthus v. ctenoides *** " Melchor Muzquiz "



Opuntia  X " Ohio "





Glory of TX pup



White flowered G.O.T. specimen  #1 ...on the way. 

[Silas_Sancona]

Some from the neighborhood...

One mighty fine Argentine ( Trichocereus / Echinopsis candicans " Big Bertha " )















Echinocereus triglochidatus  w/ a few fading blooms still on it..



Mr. Trigs' Yard buddy flowering. In section triglochidiati  of Echinocereus,  but not sure which specific sp.









...And a few from the Lab ..err, yard.

E. cetenoides, day #2



Glory of TX ..the bigger specimen hangin out beside Agave cerulata var. dentiens




Echinopsis X " Sorceress "

In cirrus - hazed sun:



in more shade:



Peniocereus viperinus   ..allmostt  ready to pop.

[Silas_Sancona]

Various larger cacti specimens..

Flowering Cereus sp.



Totem Pole, Monstrose Cereus peruvianus, and Sohrensia spachiana, ** Formally Trichocereus spachianus ** ..short stuff peeking out on the far left, closest to the driveway.



Impressive Senita ( Pachycereus schottii ) specimen



..and a pair of perfect Organ Pipes ( Stenocereus thurberi  )






...And a few of the Saguaro flowering near the Mall.


















 

[Meangreen94z]

Lobivia sp.

[Silas_Sancona]

Echinocereus rigidissimus V. rubispinus specimen #2



Opuntia  sp.







Chunky Ferros..

[Silas_Sancona]

No obvious Aurora activity this evening but  ...Something almost as uncommon.  The opening of a flower on a pretty rare Cactus in the dark of night..  We'll see if it is still open in the morning..

Peniocereus viperinus  ..in all her glory..

[Silas_Sancona]

23 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

We'll see if it is still open in the morning..

 

23 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Peniocereus viperinus  ..in all her glory..

  Morning shots before she faded...

[Silas_Sancona]

Last of the AZ Rainbow blooms for the year..



Echinocereus subinermis v. ochoternae



Standard  Glory of TX.



Thelocactus bicolor cv. albiflorus S#1.  Interesting, very glassy look to essentially Satin white petals w/ the slightest hint of pinkish blush.  ...and a little Brownish Orange haze near the base of the petals..

Will be interesting to see if or how much this changes as the plants mature ..if they do.

[Colin1110082]

Anyone have any suggestions for growing eastern prickly pear in Massachusetts zone 6? They are native here in the cape the eastern prickly pear. We get somewhat rainy summers so should I cover them if we get surplus rain? Also what soil should I use and can they tolerate partial shade? Can I also remove the glochid somehow from the plwnt

[Silas_Sancona]

5 minutes ago, Colin1110082 said:

Anyone have any suggestions for growing eastern prickly pear in Massachusetts zone 6? They are native here in the cape the eastern prickly pear. We get somewhat rainy summers so should I cover them if we get surplus rain? Also what soil should I use and can they tolerate partial shade? Can I also remove the glochid somehow from the plwnt

If they are native there, just mimic the soil / exposure conditions they grow in where found, IE: see plants growing in just full sun areas? copy that.  Observe plants growing in both sun / partial sun areas?  mimic that..  

No need to cover a native cactus  -which is adapted to tolerating what rainfall you experience during the summers- when it rains  either.  Just make sure the soil you plant in is chunky / drains well IE: full of stuff like Pumice, Turface MVP, and or small Lava Rock,    ...and not heavy / mucky..  IE:  ..Consisting of Clay, fine Sand, and lots of organic material like Peat Moss.

Good soil mix ratio for Cacti like most Prickly Pears is 80% inorganic content, the stuff like Pumice, Turface MVP,  Chicken Grit, and / or small Lava,  and 20% Cocopeat ( ...The " Organic " content of the soil mix )

As far as the Glochids? ..You'll never be able to keep the plant from producing them..  Just part of what you get when you grow 99% of Opuntia  Genus cacti.

[Colin1110082]

10 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

If they are native there, just mimic the soil / exposure conditions they grow in where found, IE: see plants growing in just full sun areas? copy that.  Observe plants growing in both sun / partial sun areas?  mimic that..  

No need to cover a native cactus  -which is adapted to tolerating what rainfall you experience during the summers- when it rains  either.  Just make sure the soil you plant in is chunky / drains well IE: full of stuff like Pumice, Turface MVP, and or small Lava Rock,    ...and not heavy / mucky..  IE:  ..Consisting of Clay, fine Sand, and lots of organic material like Peat Moss.

Good soil mix ratio for Cacti like most Prickly Pears is 80% inorganic content, the stuff like Pumice, Turface MVP,  Chicken Grit, and / or small Lava,  and 20% Cocopeat ( ...The " Organic " content of the soil mix )

As far as the Glochids? ..You'll never be able to keep the plant from producing them..  Just part of what you get when you grow 99% of Opuntia  Genus cacti.

Would miracle gro palm citrus and cactus soil work? That’s well draining 

[Silas_Sancona]

4 hours ago, Colin1110082 said:

Would miracle gro palm citrus and cactus soil work? That’s well draining 

If the words " Miracle Gro " are on a bag of soil, '...or fertilizer,  Avoid like the plague.  Worst possible stuff you could use  -for anything-.  Mixing your own soil? easy. 

[Silas_Sancona]

Echinopsis X Sorceress #2



Trichocereus X June Noon

[Colin1110082]

21 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

If the words " Miracle Gro " are on a bag of soil, '...or fertilizer,  Avoid like the plague.  Worst possible stuff you could use  -for anything-.  Mixing your own soil? easy. 

What is recommended to mix?

[Silas_Sancona]

4 hours ago, Colin1110082 said:

What is recommended to mix?

 

On 5/14/2024 at 6:04 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

...Good soil mix ratio for Cacti like most Prickly Pears is 80% inorganic content, stuff like Pumice, Turface MVP,  Chicken Grit, and / or small Lava,  and 20% Cocopeat ( ...The " Organic " content of the soil mix )

 

 

[Silas_Sancona]

You know Monsoon Season is just around the corner when these two cacti start flowering....

Cochemiea grahamii  *** Formally Mammillaria grahamii  ***  Big brother lurking in the background like a stalker is also budding up atm.








Cochemiea fraileana  *** Formally Mammillaria fraileana *** Note the mass of soon-to-be new stems about ready to burst from the lower left side of the stem.

Like most of the " Sonoran Desert / Baja region " Mams,  C. fraileana  must be grown in an open, mineral based-soil that leans acidic, so lots of Granite / Volcanic- based gravel / grit..  No Peat Moss / Organics,  though a pinch or two of Cocopeat / crushed dried leaves mixed in w/ the soil won't hurt.. No addtnl. fertilizer, other than adding a pinch of  Oyster shell meal ( Calcium source ) and a pinch of Langbeinite ( high K source ) once every 2 or 3 years.

From the LLifle website:







 

[Silas_Sancona]

Last of the " Spring ",  First of the " Summer " Cacti

Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rubispinus.  Specimen #3






Echinocereus rigidissimus var. albiflorus





Echinocereus subinermus var. ochoterenae






Standard and " alba ' form of Thelocacuts bicolor













Haematocactus ..Soon to be placed in Thelocactus??   See link below   setispinus
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxon_changes/134914







Coryphantha sulcata









Another of the Mam / Cochemiea  grahamii getting ready to push it's first flowers of the season in a day or two..

[aztropic]

Trichocereus hybrids last hurrah for the season. Pictures taken today.

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[Silas_Sancona]

" Main " pair of Mamm - A - Grahams < Cochemiea grahamii  > kicking off their season..









* not pictured * other specimens on a different bench about a day or two out from a second flush of flowers..



Echinopsis X Sorceress ..one of the older pups.. flowering.

[Silas_Sancona]

When one stops,  another picks up the slack...





When it finishes up Cochemiea  fraileana  takes the Ironwood Baton..  Lots of nice new stems about ready to burst out of the main stem too..




We'll see if any rain / unseasonably high Humidity / Dew Points on the way shortly  can trigger a mass bloom cycle among all of em'..



......Gotta love the Summer flowering,  Sonoran- region Mams..

[aztropic]

A few late blooming feros. Pics taken today.

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona