Barrel Cactus Bloom Day

In early may my barrel cactus propagation post showed how we removed and planted pups from a native barrel cactus.

One of the pups is blooming for the first time today--just about three months after being separated from its parent and planted out in the new cactus garden.

Not much more than one inch tall and already blooming like a grown up.  Quite an achievement for this little fellow.

The parent plant is also blooming today for the second time this year

They must be programmed to bloom on under specific weather and moisture conditions because the older cousins are also blooming out front today, so four blooming barrels on the same day.  This is the second set of blooms for this one in the past couple months (note the red berries produced by previous blooms).  Several people have commented on the spirals in these cacti, which is a little unique.

And the smaller one taken from it last year is also blooming today.

It's so hot, but this got me out to check these blooms which are so bright and pretty I can see them from the house in this bright sunshine.  The blooms close at sundown and only last one day.

Foxtail Cactus Blooms

This appears to be the week all our cacti decided to bloom and it's been a banner year.  They seem to be competing with one another, and the latest is this Escobaria vivipara with multiple bright pink blossoms.  It was relocated from my brother-in-law's place near Tijeras, New Mexico, just east of Albuquerque.

It's known by several common names, but my favorite is Foxtail Cactus.  We have been happy to have these in our yard for nearly three years now.  I know it's definitely hardy as it gets far colder on the east side of Sandia Peak than it does here.  

Also note the unusual spiral cactus in the background which remains unidentified.  The cactus collection is growing quickly now since the drought increased my appreciation of cactus in the garden.

Cactus Flower Beauty

This beautiful red cactus flower opened Monday measuring four inches across and four inches tall.  Quite a feat for a barrel cactus just over six inches tall.

 
Anticipation began a few days ago when this small barrel cactus produced a surprisingly large bud.  On Sunday the bud began to show off a deep red color.

Monday morning it opened revealing a gorgeous dark coral flower with striking proportions. 

The color and beauty of this bloom was a surprise since we had just recently planted this one.  It was marked simply "cactus" at Walmart.

The color works beautifully with the Hesperaloe parviflora now blooming and the form plays nicely with the Agave Ovatifolia.

By evening the bud had begun to close up

I checked on it Tuesday morning and it had already started its decline.  As with most cacti their blooms are short lived.  But there are two buds showing so I will be anticipating more blossoms soon.