.jpg)
Showing posts with label barrel cactus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label barrel cactus. Show all posts
Friday, November 23, 2012
Devil of a Bloom!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Propagating Barrel Cactus Pups
My post about Jean the cactus guy generated interest about propagating cacti, so this is the first in a series on how to start a cactus garden through propagation of cuttings from other cactus plants. The first in this series will document my process of propagating new barrel cactus from the one I purchased from him.
This barrel cactus arrived with five pups. The choices are to plant it as is, or to remove the pups and start them on their own. We decided to remove all five pups and start them as separate plants.
To state the obvious, cacti require special handling. Here's the array of tools set out, and although we didn't use all of them they were ready just in case. Old tongs and a variety of scrapers, chisels, knives and screwdrivers. Leather gloves are a must have. The tools should be clean.
There's one important tool missing from this lineup and that's an empty plastic pot to hold the mama plant while the pups are removed. It's important to find something you can grip and avoid the spines.
All ready to go and Mr. Rock-Oak-Deer starts with the old tongs and a scraper to remove the first one. One twist and a pull and it's separated so he discards the scraper and works with the tongs for the rest.
A slight twist with the tongs and they just pop right off. This action leaves small round scars on the larger plant.
Now he's working his way around the cactus.
Here are four of the pups ready to go on their own now, one more to go!
After the surgery we put the five pups in a box and stored them in the garage for about a week to callous over. If planted immediately the pups could rot, so they must heal first. We also stored the mama plant in a dry spot so its scars can heal. Do not water the plant or pups at this point to avoid any rot that might occur.
Fast forward one week later and the pups are ready to pot up. We are using a coarse sand over light potting mix for this phase. The key is to ensure fast drainage and only allow minimal contact with water to avoid rot at this stage.
Just use the tongs to place them in pre-watered damp sand. Don't water again for week or so, and then water once a week.
About five weeks later, here's what we have. Nice strong roots! The roots were even bigger than we expected. Note that this one was only pulled from its sand to show to you -- plant them with their sand. It will shift a bit, which is not a problem.
We planted them out in the new cactus patch along the dry creek. In their new home they are small and barely visible. We gave these plants plenty of room considering their size at maturity. We'd rather wait for cactus to grow into their space than move them later!
Next in this series I will show cactus pad propagation. I'll also continue to report on progress in the cactus garden.
This barrel cactus arrived with five pups. The choices are to plant it as is, or to remove the pups and start them on their own. We decided to remove all five pups and start them as separate plants.
To state the obvious, cacti require special handling. Here's the array of tools set out, and although we didn't use all of them they were ready just in case. Old tongs and a variety of scrapers, chisels, knives and screwdrivers. Leather gloves are a must have. The tools should be clean.
There's one important tool missing from this lineup and that's an empty plastic pot to hold the mama plant while the pups are removed. It's important to find something you can grip and avoid the spines.
All ready to go and Mr. Rock-Oak-Deer starts with the old tongs and a scraper to remove the first one. One twist and a pull and it's separated so he discards the scraper and works with the tongs for the rest.
A slight twist with the tongs and they just pop right off. This action leaves small round scars on the larger plant.
Now he's working his way around the cactus.
Here are four of the pups ready to go on their own now, one more to go!
After the surgery we put the five pups in a box and stored them in the garage for about a week to callous over. If planted immediately the pups could rot, so they must heal first. We also stored the mama plant in a dry spot so its scars can heal. Do not water the plant or pups at this point to avoid any rot that might occur.
Fast forward one week later and the pups are ready to pot up. We are using a coarse sand over light potting mix for this phase. The key is to ensure fast drainage and only allow minimal contact with water to avoid rot at this stage.
Just use the tongs to place them in pre-watered damp sand. Don't water again for week or so, and then water once a week.
About five weeks later, here's what we have. Nice strong roots! The roots were even bigger than we expected. Note that this one was only pulled from its sand to show to you -- plant them with their sand. It will shift a bit, which is not a problem.
We planted them out in the new cactus patch along the dry creek. In their new home they are small and barely visible. We gave these plants plenty of room considering their size at maturity. We'd rather wait for cactus to grow into their space than move them later!
Next in this series I will show cactus pad propagation. I'll also continue to report on progress in the cactus garden.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)