The Hedgehogs are Doing Their Thing
I have shared hedgehogs before, but they are just so pretty again this year, it would be a shame not to let them bask in all their glory. Hedgehogs are of the genus echinocereus which has many species, this one being a triglochidiatus, as are most of mine. They are...
Burnet Lawn and Garden Show; Yucca Everywhere!
March 24th I traveled to Burnet for the Highland Lakes Master Gardener Association’s annual Lawn and Garden Show. Bluebonnets were blooming, but not en masse as they do when rain has been plentiful. What was impressive was the yucca, the Spanish dagger. The cliff...
Practice with the Manual Setting on Cactus Flowers
Attended a photography workshop the other day with the objective of making myself use the manual setting on my camera instead of my old reliable landscape setting. The landscape setting has been my go-to setting and has served me well and while I will still use it...
Mammillaria with Yellow Flowers
I now have two of these mammillarias with no identification on either of them! I even Googled images of mammillarias in hopes of finding it, and did, and wouldn’t you know it-mammillaria with yellow flowers was the only label I could find. Yellow on the bright green...
Succulent Blooms
The weather is still not cooperating, but I have few specimens that are determined to bloom, nice weather or not. So let me share a few that I am enjoying right now. I can hole up in the greenhouse, listen to wind howling outside, and take my time looking at the...
Another Mammillaria in Bloom
I was surprised to find this mammillaria in bloom the other day when I went in the greenhouse, the first time for it to bloom. I’m afraid this is one for which I lost the identification tag. Or perhaps it was just ID’ed as mammillaria species, which happens, what with...
The Case Against Succulents in Terrariums
Once again I came across an article in a newspaper I disagree with-big surprise, huh? But once again I think succulents are being put in a situation where they are doomed for disappointment. The article I am at odds with recommends planting succulents in terrariums...
Let’s Talk Dirt!
A reader asked about the soil I use with my cactus and succulents the other day, and I casually responded that I mix compost dirt and perlite. Later I realized that really wasn’t a very helpful answer! I suspect he is not the only person who grapples with that...
A Few More Winter Blooms
Not much going on with the cactus and succulents these days. Thanks to our very cold, very dry winter, the outside plants are in really sad shape. Those in the greenhouse and barn are faring much better, not doing much growing yet, but here and there I find spots of...
The Little Poinsettia That Could
I am the person in charge of flowers at our Methodist church, which includes arrangements on the altar and the seasonal Easter lilies and Christmas poinsettias. I make sure the arrangements are always on display Sunday mornings, then put them in the refrigerator to...
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