Rebutia pulvinosaThe numerous bright orange flowers on this Rebutia pulvinosa came as a surprise this year. This is the first time it has bloomed since I purchased it several years ago. The cactus has had a rocky past couple of years. It is among the several cacti that I've had over the years that came back from bad circumstances and thrived. (See two others that are survivors in Post 1 and Post 2).
During a windstorm in January of 2007, this cactus was blown over and the pot broke. I didn't have any pots of the appropriate size in which to repot it, so I left it in the broken pot, roots partly exposed, and placed the whole thing into another larger pot until I could find the right sized replacement pot. Well, months passed, and I just never got around to shopping. Occasionally I would throw some water on the cactus, not imagining it would survive with so many exposed roots. It went through record cold, extreme heat, no water, and probably inadequate light lying on the bottom of a large pot. Every couple of months I would resolve to find a proper pot for it since it was still growing, but it wasn't a priority.
Finally in late winter this year I purchased several pots, including one just for this cactus. I repotted it in February of 2008 and it just took off, growing new heads and now, all these flowers. Sometimes I think neglect can bring out the best in some plants!
19 comments:
True, but cacti are imperishable anyway...at least some, as I found out on my window-sill. There are three they live now with me for about thirty years and very hard circumstances (in a flat down in Berlin for example).
Have a nice GTS, Aiyana....I am sure there are pests, too,in a xeriscape garden ;-)
It's such a gorgeous color! I lived in Arizona for years, and I know just how strong and resilient they are!!
My Green Thumb is shared...stop by if you have some time!! Happy Sunday.
The colour of the blossoms is stunning! Some plants are incredible survivors, aren't they?
It sounds like it appreciated a little loving care or at least a new pot.
I've sent an old friend your way - hope he makes it. He's now in NM and has started growing cacti. He should find more than he can handle here :)
Hi Aiyana,
Thanks for the comment on my photos. I'm enjoying your blog as well. Arizona is one of my favorite places in the world. In fact, I have several postings on that part of the world here: http://cindydyer.wordpress.com/2008/02/25/go-west-young-woman/
Those postings are on my main blog, www.cindydyer.wordpress.com, which covers gardening AND other things as well (but mostly gardening! :-)
I grow cactus indoors (and many hardy succulents outdoors). When I baby the indoor ones too much (watering them too often), I fail them. So I've learn to mostly ignore them and they thrive! I have about 50 types of succulent and cactus in my kitchen and living room windows. Yep, 50! I never met a cactus or succulent I didn't like.
I'm adding your blog to my blogroll on both sites (the main blog and garden muse). I hope you don't mind. I'll garden vicariously with you in of my favorite states---Arizona!
Ha ha ha...YEAHHHHH...neglect is the only reason me, myself and I can keep anything alive! Hee hee hee!!! Love this absolute beauty! The flowers are so bright and energetic...what a champ of a plant!!!
I enjoyed hearing about your cactus. Sometimes tough conditions do push a plant to bloom, I think.
Your cactus is beautiful. These are amazingly tough little plants. I love the bright, orange blossoms.
Neglecting a plant can sometimes bring it to its fullest potential. I have never had any luck getting African violets to bloom. My sister gave me one for Mother's Day and my daughter told me to be sure to water it while it's blooming but when the blossoms fell off to neglect it for a while and then give it a bit of African violet food and it would bloom again. I will try to remember to post the result of her advice.
Thanks so much for sharing and for stopping by and commenting on my GTS post.
Blessings,
Mary
What doesn't kill them, only makes them stronger I suppose.
I learned that neglecting plants can actually be the best way when I lived up north. Every fall, I dutifully deadheaded by perennials before winter came. Then I read somewhere if you leave the flowers on the stalks mother nature knows the precise time to let the seeds drop and self sow. The garden has never looked as good!
It's a beautiful color, too.
Great plant to have survived all that neglect. Beautiful colour as all your blooms are.
Hi Aiyana,
I think you are right sometime we just pamper plants to much , when all they realy want is a bit of abuse,just like they get in nature.
I bet you are well chuffed with this one as it is a beautiful colour.
Cheers Mark
Cool cactus. Not many of them where I am.
Well, you sure succeeded at last with this one! Gorgeous flowers!
Sometimes it can be like that with humans too ;-)
My post today is called Tulips Blips - and I've no idea of the name of them and especially one with an unusual look, come on over and help me identify them :-)
How vibrant! Is there anything purple growing near it? In our newspaper today the featured gardener has a 'thing' for strong colors and her favorite combination is orange and purple. The two colors together are stunning!
Its amazing how they bounce right back! Im glad this cacti finally found a new pot :)
I always loved rebutias, but I never grew them as I've heard they're addictive... Great plant though.
It rewarded you well and must be truly thankful for the new pot. It's beautiful!
Nice shot and story about the cacti's resilience!
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