Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Cactus blooms in the spring garden

We've been busy in the garden this week taking advantage of the cool weather and finishing up projects before the summer heat sets in.  This has been a special season for cacti blooms in the garden--most are blooming for the first time.  Today I'll share a few of those pretty blooms from this week.

This unknown Mammalaria has produced a wreath of pink blooms around the top after two years in our collection.  It is frost sensitive and spends the winter in a small greenhouse.



On my last visit to Yeya's Antiques and Oddities, my favorite resource for vintage garden items, Mario handed me a small piece of cactus from his collection and it has bloomed just about two weeks later.  The other cactus stapelia cutting is also from Mario.


Here's what it will look like when it grows up. 



Opuntia Santa-rita has bloomed for the first time after arriving as a couple of pads two years ago.  This is cold hardy.  I love the contrast of the bright yellow blooms with the complementary hue of violet.


It's been nice in the garden this week.  We are expected to break some low temperature records today and through the weekend.  It feels more like New England than south Texas.

28 comments:

  1. Shirley,

    Do you have a picture of the parent plant to the other cutting, as it looks more like a stapelia than a cactus to me.

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    1. Thanks Brian, it probably is a stapelia since I hadn't looked at it that closely before writing the post.

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  2. Looks like one I don't have; maybe when it gets bigger, we can trade cuttings.

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    1. I'm sure we can work something out, I'll check for more next time I visit Yeya's too.

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  3. I am loving this weather, you? :) I have that peanut cactus too and love it. My neighbors fills and trails over a birdbath. My cuttings quickly filled my container in about 8 months. I love how it trails. The red blooms are pretty special too, eh?

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    1. It has been so different and refreshing except for the dose of humidity yesterday. The humidity blew out of here last night and it should be a pretty nice weekend.

      Good to hear it grows fast. As it grows, I'll put it in a container that will let it trail.

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  4. This weather is shocking, isn't it? I just can't believe it! I have loads of plants in pots, just waiting to be put out in the garden, but I won't do it until this cold front comes through - and hopefully no more will after this one! After all, it's May! Your cacti are beautiful. I love seeing cacti in bloom - such a rare sight, it seems. The first one looks like it has a crown. And I love that pink color.

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    1. Shocking is a good word for it. It's been raining every three days or so too.

      The begonia is still in the kitchen window and the basil seeds are waiting for warmer nights. I usually have basil to spare by now. My tomatoes have never been happier and I should have planted peas this year.

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  5. Your cacti blooms are lovely! It's always a thrill to see such pretty and delicate flowers come out of something so tough and prickly! We seem to have switched weather. Usually in April and May we can count on rain to water in our new plants but we've had a fairly dry April and now the temperatures are soarin into the high 70's and maybe even low 80's this weekend.

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    1. That is an interesting reversal since we have had drought for a few years. It's funny but when I look at your photos everything still looks wet to me.

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  6. Cacti blooms are so pretty and delicate, against all that prickly-ness.
    The first one looks like it's wearing one of those little head-dress things, little girls wear at festivals.

    Our prickly pears are setting lots of buds. Hope this late cold front doesn't hurt them. I'm pretty tired of this yoyo weather. We just might have low 30s here tonight....in MAY!

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    1. We just finished our Fiesta season and many little girls did wear rings of flowers in a very similar way.

      Eventually it will warm up...

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  7. That first cactus with the circle of blooms looks ready to perform a Maypole dance...perfect image for the beginning of May.

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    1. They are so pretty it's such a shame the blooms only last a single day. Two years in the making.

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  8. Shirley, Spring is such a beautiful time for the desert blooms. Cacti photos are great today. Jack

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    1. We do have a beautiful spring and fall, the summer is more of a holding pattern.

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  9. Hey Shirley,
    When I lived in Sydney, we had an elderly neighbor, Mrs. Moon, who grew nothing but cacti in pretty cement pots. I witnessed for many years until we moved at age 13 the spring bloom of many just like yours. The flowers adorned on topremind me of a glorious, delicate crown on the head of a prickly princess. Does that imagery work for you, my friend.

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    1. Prickly princess? Yes it absolutely does work. The contrast is one of the things that makes cactus so fascinating.

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  10. Is this weather crazy or what???? Love the cactus blooms!!!!

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    1. Thank you kacky, crazy is good too.

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  11. I love it when they bloom with their little tiaras. Early this year.

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    1. Little tiaras are my favorite, we have several golden barrels which might bloom this year and I can't wait. I'm surprised by all the cactus blooms this year.

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  12. Lovely blooms! What type of Cactus is the one with the red flowers that Mario gave you? The "grown up" grouping in the blue pot looks like a bunch of buddies all together, hugging and sharing space. ;-)

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    1. Heather called it a "peanut cactus" and that looks like it.

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  13. Great, Shirley, I love cactus.

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    1. I'm learning to enjoy cactus along with other spiky plants in the garden.

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    2. They have really grown on me , too.

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  14. Yes, hasn't the New England/Texas Spring been marvelous? I love it and I've been outside every second I can spare. The oven will turn on soon...ugh!
    I love all your cacti & semi-cacti. Brings back childhood memories of my little collection. I had so many kinds of Mammalarias and each were so different. Be careful....the little rascals are addicting.

    David/:0)

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