Cactus Sunburn, Too
I was so focused on telling you the perils of too much sun on succulents last week that I really didn’t talk much about the effects of too much sun on cactus in particular. They, too, can be damaged in heat like we are experiencing now. The sun may be more intense in...
Beware of Sunburned Plants in 100 Degree Weather
For the past week, and maybe more, we have endured 100+ degree weather, as I believe much of the whole United States has. I dodged the heat by staying inside much of the time. I should have paid more attention. And now that the damage is done, I have moved plants that...
Agave Lechuguilla
Hellen and I came home with a start of this agave a bunch of years ago when we visited the McNay Museum in San Antonio to enjoy a Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit. I was just getting serious about my cactus collection and was anxious to add new specimens and at the time I...
Consider the Much-Maligned Prickly Pear
To many people, if you say cactus, they immediately frown, wince, envision prickly pear, and want no part of any cactus. Which is a shame, because the opuntia family gives us beautiful flowers, and with conscientious pruning can be kept from taking over your garden...
Unidentified Pink and Lime Object
I have no idea the identity of this cactus. I have had it for enough years I forgot where I bought it; and for years I have waiting for it to finally decided to bloom. it was a small little lime green ball when I bought it. I watched it grow tall. Nothing happened....
Asplundh Trims the Trees
Yesterday morning the doorbell rang at 7:45. It was Juan from Asplundh, the tree trimming company. Give us about two and half hours, he told me, and we will be back to trim your trees. I knew it was coming; just didn’t know when. So today was the day. Time to move...
Cotyledon Staghorn
I rescued this plant last year from one of the big box stores. Its pot had fallen over and the plant tumbled out, soil and all, and no one seemed the least bit concerned. I located the manager, played let’s make a deal, and took the plant home for next to nothing. The...
And So It Finally Begins! Flowers!
Traditionally, the second week in May is usually when my outdoor cactus begin to bloom in earnest. Now that we are at the end of the first week of May, they are gearing up for their blooming season. I see myriad buds getting puffier and fatter in anticipation of their...
First Time Yucca Bloom
This little yucca bloomed for me for the first time this year. I discovered Santa Fe Greenhouses on a visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico, many years ago and then enjoyed ordering plants through their catalog, High Country Gardens. I think this plant was one I ordered...
Echinobivia Rainbow Burst
I bought this cactus in 2012; this year it finally bloomed. It was well worth the wait. Echinobivia rainbow burst is a hybrid that gets it name from being a cross between echinopsis and lobivia. Colors of blooms range from white, gold, yellow, orange, pink, red,...
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