Bursting At The Seams

This fat guy, Gymnocalycium horstii, can’t wait until April so it can get a new pot. It has clumped to the point there is no room left to grow in its original nursery container. Clumping usually doesn’t occur when the cactus is young, so this one is probably four years old based on its size. It is one of the larger Gymnos; eventually it will reach about eight to 10 inches in diameter.

I’ve always liked this genus of cactus. It is easy to identify because of the little indentations or ‘chins’ under the areoles, (not so evident on this species) as well as the naked calyx, or the outer covering of the flower bud. The genus name is from the Greek language meaning naked calyx, or a bud that is free of spines or hairs. Gymnos have prolific flowering habits, and this species usually blooms from late spring until fall. The flowers of this species are a pale pink.

Gymnocalycium is sun sensitive, especially in the Phoenix area. Full sun will easily scorch and burn the exposed skin, as will extreme cold. I keep all seven of my Gymno species on the patio in a bright spot, because in order for them to bloom they need bright light. The G. horstii is a summer grower and needs regular watering, but in winter, lay off the water.

If you look closely at the skin of this G. horstii, you can see small light dots on the skin, probably caused by an extra cold night. They may or may not go away. These small defects won't hurt the cactus, but they may disqualify it from winning a ribbon in a cactus show.

Harbinger?

Mammillaria gracilis var. fragilis

Perhaps my cacti know it's spring, even if I don't. This M. gracilis v. fragilis decided the time for flowering is now, rather than late next month as I expected. The yellowish white flowers are tiny, just like the cactus, which doesn't grow more than four inches high.

M. gracilis v. fragilis has brittle offshoots that are easily detached from the main stem. Fragilis means exactly that, brittle. These detached offshoots are easily propagated. However, they will not flower for the first three years. If I planted all the offshoots that have fallen off the four plants I have, I'd probably have two or three hundred little guys by now.

This Mammillaria species looks best planted as a grouping, crowded into a small, shallow container. Most of the offshoots that have dislodged go into one or two “baby pots," as I call them. Well, not most of them, some of them. The rest are fending for themselves in some landfill somewhere.

Defiance

This Mammillaria klissingiana started showing buds in early December, about three months earlier than usual. I assumed the few warm December days we had caused it to produce a few flowers and then it would get back to its regular cycle. Instead, it has gone on to form a complete ring of flowers despite the cold January weather. I'm not going to worry about the meaning of it all; I'm just going to enjoy this small spot of color in my otherwise dormant garden.

Two Inches and Counting

For after all the best thing one can do when it is raining, is to let it rain.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

C Is For Citrus

Arizona used to be known for the four Cs—Citrus, Cotton, Cattle, and Copper. Copper is king once again, but the other three Cs have declined in importance in the last few decades as the population grows and agriculture gives way to urban sprawl. Still, citrus is abundant, and many homeowners have some type of citrus trees on their property. I am not one of them, but I do volunteer each year at the Master Gardeners Citrus Clinic, as I did today. I brought my camera, but much to my consternation, I forgot the memory card and had to resort to poor quality cell phone photos for today's post. The clinic provides homeowners the opportunity to learn all about growing and harvesting citrus in Arizona. Many attendees are new residents unfamiliar with the citrus growing on their new properties and they need information on care and harvesting. The two local University of Arizona Citrus Agricultural Centers provide the venues for the clinics. The Center where I volunteer each year grows over 90 varieties of citrus, some ubiquitous, some obscure, some inedible, but all colorful and interesting.

Because date palms are also common in Arizona, date growing and harvesting information was available along with the citrus sessions. Attendees had the chance to sample various citrus fruit and dates, and enjoy a glass of fresh-squeezed juice.

One of the most unusual citrus grown at the Center is Citrus medica var. sarcodactylus, or Buddha's Hand. This fruit is used as a religious offering in Buddhist temples, and the Center ships this fruit all over the world.

After a day spent sampling numerous citrus and date varieties, drinking glass after glass of fresh orange juice in between my volunteer duties, I think my pH level is leaning toward the acidic!

At Last

Finally, after years of wondering what Kalanchoe tubiflora flowers look like, I have some! This is the first time ever that a K. tubiflora plant that I’ve had has bloomed, and from what I’ve read, it may be a mixed blessing. Apparently, the plant dies out after the flowering period, which can last for a couple of months. It can grow new shoots from the roots if they are left in place, but that is not always the case.

This Madagascar native, called Chandelier Plant, is actually in the Bryophyllum genus. However, most people know it as Kalanchoe. Little plantlets form at the edges of the leaves in spring and summer, and they root so easily that this plant is a weed to many who have had it invade their gardens. It can grow to two feet high and wide, and drop thousands of plantlets each season. Because of that, I’ve always grown them in containers on the patio rather than in my garden.

In Phoenix, K. tubiflora needs light shade and protection from frost. Last year I lost a huge 11-year-old plant during our unusual cold spell. The plant looked as if it had melted when I removed the frost cloth. The leaves and stems were a mushy mess.

This plant is closely related to another Kalanchoe (Bryophyllum) species that I wrote about a while back.

One Of A Kind

This cactus, Eriosyce kunzei ‘multicolor’, is the only one I have that’s in the genus Eriosyce. This cactus used to be called Neoporteria nidus. All Eriosyce cacti are from Chile and Argentina. Right now, the cactus is globular, but with age, it will become cylindrical and can reach eight inches high. The spines on this species are gray to black.

The problem with many of the cacti in this genus (at least the ones previously classified as Neoporteria as this one was) is that they are very prone to root rot. In order to prevent that, the cactus is kept dry in winter and cool in winter and for a period in summer when in goes through a short dormant period. It can’t take full sun here in Phoenix, but very bright shade is perfect for it to thrive. Another must for preventing root rot is to make sure the soil and pot provide excellent drainage.

The E. kunzei ‘multicolor’ produces one-inch wide pink, almost florescent, flowers in spring. It likes to be in a very small container and watered infrequently. This helps it to have very dense spines.

Damn Weeds!

Common Mallow and Dandelion

Within days after the early January rains, thousands of wildflowers began germinating in my garden. Unfortunately, so did tens of thousands of weeds. Eighty percent of the weeds are Common Mallow (Malva neglecta), 18 percent Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). Tumbleweed (Salsola tragus) makes up the remaining two percent.

Common Mallow is hardest to deal with. If I don’t get it out while it’s still tiny, it grows an extremely long and tough taproot, making it almost impossible to pull. I have to resort to a hoe. That technique is tricky, because if I don’t get the weed below the surface soil, it will just come back up. When it becomes overwhelming, then out comes the herbicide Roundup®, much as I hate to use it. Last year I had a landscape maintenance crew over to deal with the weed issue, but they didn’t know the difference between Penstemon and Dandelion, and they destroyed most of my wildflower seedlings along with the weeds.

Common Mallow usually grows to about three feet high, but I’ve seen plants over five feet with a trunk-like stems that exceed 10 inches in diameter. When the weed gets this large, it has to be bull dozed or drowned in herbicide to get rid of it. This weed seems impervious to drought, heat, and cold once established, so it really flourishes in landscapes where water is available. I really detest this weed. It's hard to believe that some folks find it attractive and don't mind it in their gardens.

At least Dandelion is easy to pull up, and the leaves used in salads. The only redeeming value I can think of for the Tumbleweed is that it inspired that wonderful song, Tumbling Tumbleweeds, by the Sons of the Pioneers.

Knobby Ribs

Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus

The sterile Totem Pole Cactus, used mostly as a specimen cactus, makes an interesting focal point in desert gardens. This cactus does not bloom or produce fruit or seeds. It is a natural mutation of the Pachycereus schottii (Senita) and can reach heights of 12 feet. When a stem breaks off, that portion will root right where it falls. That is how all Totem Pole Cacti come to be in nature. When nursery grown the stems are cut, callused, and placed upright in the rooting medium. The most desirable specimens are those with the most prominent, knobbiest ribs. The one in the photo certainly meets that test.

I am waiting until the weather warms to place this spineless cactus in my garden. I’m not sure where it’s going to go. I really didn’t need another columnar cactus, but I got it at a bargain price. (I use the same reasoning for acquiring cacti that others may use for shoe or clothing purchases!) It can take full sun in Phoenix, but needs some protection if the temperature drops below 25°F, so most any area of my garden is suitable, especially since it needs no supplemental water once established.

A Jolt of Color

Since nothing is blooming in my garden this week, I drove to my sister's house today to get a jolt of garden color. She loves to grow flowers, and also has a brilliant green rye grass lawn, with a lake and the Estrella mountains as a backdrop. Of all the flowers she has, I was drawn to this common Gazania, because of its sunny colors. The photo has a painterly quality, all without assistance of Photoshop.

 

Sansevieria trifasciata

It seems everyone in the world has had a Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant) houseplant at one time or another. However, all the Snake Plants I’ve owned have been patio plants. Lately I’ve been tempted to place my patio Snake Plants in my garden to fill in a large bare area along a block wall.

I’ve been warned that these plants should stay in pots as they can be hard to control and can quickly take over an area by producing numerous offsets, which is exactly what I’m looking for in that area of my large yard. Strong sunlight supposedly bleaches out the leaves, so that may be one negative to consider. These plants can’t take prolonged temperatures below freezing, but we don’t often have prolonged cold spells, so I think I’m safe on that point.

Since the S. trifasciata is so easy to find and really quite cheap, I think it’s worth the effort to try it as a filler plant. I’m not particularly attached to my Snake Plants, so losing them will not really hurt if the experiment goes south.

This plant is also known as Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, either because of its sharp leaves or alternately, because it supposedly contains a substance that paralyzes the vocal chords. I’m surprised that, in these politically correct times, that someone hasn’t protested and petitioned to have the name banned because such negative connotations could be contrued as “hate talk.” As far as I'm concerned, there is an easier solution. If one doesn't like the name, then call it by its botanical name.

Vitex agnus-castus

Chaste Tree, or Monks’ Pepper Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a multi-branched deciduous shrub that can grow to 20 feet high and wide, with lavender flowers in the spring, followed by capsulized berries in early fall. It does best in areas with high summer heat, but can take cold to -10°F. In our desert climate, twice monthly watering in summer keeps it looking good. The leaves are said to resemble those of the marijuana plant.

The leaves and berries of the Chaste Tree are aromatic with a definite peppery taste. For many centuries, the berries have been an herbal remedy for menstrual maladies, and there is much evidence that it works well for that purpose. Early on, Chaste Tree berries helped monks remain celibate by reducing their sex drive, sometimes permanently. Studies have found that long-term use can cause testicular atrophy. Because it worked so well in men, it became popular as a means to assure chastity in wives of men going to battle. There’s no evidence it worked the same way for women, other than make them feel good because they were spared from bloating, cramps and mood swings.

Although popular as a small tree in other climate zones, it is not used much as a tree in the Phoenix area. I plan to keep my Chaste Tree a mid-sized shrub by regular pruning. If it’s pruned and not sheared, the shrub’s flowers are maintained. Many crafters cut the flower stalks for bunching and drying, much the same way lavender is used.

Anticipation

Mammillaria decipiens ssp. camptotricha

Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle ... a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream.

~ Barbara Winkler

Euphorbia rigida

Euphorbia rigida, commonly called Blue Euphorbia, Gopher Plant, or Silver Spurge, makes a great late winter to early spring showing, and then the stems dry up and need to be pruned. It’s sort of a one-hit wonder—beautiful for a couple of months and then really bad looking. Even so, I think it is worth having in the garden. The blue-green leaves and chartreuse flowers make it a striking accent plant.

The E. rigida in my garden became another casualty of our extreme 2007 summer heat. Even with its preference for full sun, the plant just couldn't take the prolonged hot spell. Since it is supposed to self-seed, I have been hoping to see some new little plants, but so far, nothing. I think it’s too late to expect some new plants, at least for this season.

Our local nurseries only carry the E. rigida when it is in bloom, so it is available only a short time, usually in early February. It’s very hard to find because it sells out so fast. Although it is a perennial shrub, many folks use it as late winter color, and then they discard it to make way for other annuals. Since it looks so bad the rest of the year, the nurseries can’t even give it away after the blooms fade.

Gone, But Not Forgotten

After this Parodia magnifica bloomed last spring, I decided to transplant it from its pot into my garden. I had a perfect place for it in front of a landscape boulder. It would receive the afternoon shade requisite to many cactus plants in our Zone 9b. All was well until mid-summer. During an especially intense hot spell, it became evident that this cactus was not going to make it. Its skin was burned badly, and within a couple of weeks, it had completely dried up.

Perhaps I under watered it. This particular cactus needs regular water in summer, and I may have underestimated its needs. When it was potted, I watered it once a week in summer, and kept it dry in winter. Usually potted cactus requires more water than when placed in the garden, so I only watered it every couple of weeks.

With its fine, hair like spines, symmetrical ribs and gorgeous yellow flowers, I've always loved the P. magnifica. I hated to see it go. If I see another nice specimen this coming spring when I start shopping for new cacti to add to my collection, I plan to replace this departed cactus. This time, it will remain in a pot.

The Mighty Saguaro

Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is a popular landscape cactus in our region. Often used as a centerpiece in desert gardens, it is also popular for planting in public common areas and in roadway medians.
Rather than buy one large Saguaro, I chose four smaller ones (each about four feet tall) because of the low transplant success rate of large specimens. Saguaros are very slow growing, so they are expensive to purchase, selling for about $100 a foot. I stopped at $2000 for my four.
My brother took this photo of a Saguaro on some raw desert land that he owns. Since it has more than five arms, it is probably approaching 200 years old.

Saguaro Facts

Saguaro cactus, pronounced Sah-wah-roh, grows only in the Sonora Desert.


Its flower, which blooms late April to June, is the Arizona State Flower.

Saguaros can live up to 200 years and reach 50 feet high.

A Saguaro with more than five arms is probably around 200 years old. In the desert, it does not grow arms until it is about 100 years old.

A mature Saguaro can weigh six tons, which is mostly stored water.

Only one seed in 50 million will germinate. Of those, only a few will become a seedling and even fewer will become an adult cactus.

This huge cactus has a taproot that is only about three feet long, and many large roots that grow downward only about one foot deep. Many smaller roots run a distance equal to the cactus’ height.

Every Garden Needs One

One of the members of the local Cactus and Succulent Society grows most all his cactus from seed, and he regularly provides his baby cacti for the monthly club plant auction. This Ferocactus pottsii was among his offerings about six months ago. I had previously purchased several Ferocactus specimens from his collection, sometimes making my decision based on the description he provided with the cactus, or because of the fact he keeps meticulous records of his propagation efforts, assuring that the cactus is of the genus and species that is listed in the auction. The info on this particular cactus simply stated, “Ferocactus pottsii. Buy me, because every desert garden needs one.” It was quite a departure from his usual comprehensive description. I decided right then my garden needed this cactus.

F. pottsii is one of the rarer species in the Ferocactus genus, which contains about 30 species. It is one of the smaller barrels, takes full sun and needs very little water. Its flowers are pure yellow and bloom earlier than the other barrels in the Ferocactus genus. This cactus does not clump. Propagation is strictly by seed.

Since I acquired it, the F. pottsii has grown quickly, but still does not have the 20 distinctive narrow ribs that will appear as the cactus ages. Eventually it will reach three feet high and about half that wide. Its spines are finer and more needle-like than many of the other barrels.

Going Toward The Light

When I visited a hospital records office this week, I saw this cactus, which has a serious case of etiolation. The office was windowless, with florescent lighting on only nine hours a day. When I asked about the cactus, the proud owner told me that many folks commented about her unusual cactus, and wondered where they could find one like it. She was happy to let me snap a photo with my cell phone.

This cactus is an Echinopsis hybrid, and it is normally globular. Since it is severely lacking adequate light, it is elongating, trying to reach the light source. By moving the cactus into stronger light, etiolation will stop, but the abnormal growth will always remain and the cactus will retain the elongated portion for the rest of its life. It will probably never bloom. The little offshoot, barely visible in the photo and peeking over the top of the pot rim, looks like a long skinny caterpillar as it seeks light.

I mentioned to the owner that the cactus really could use some more light to be healthy, but she really didn’t want to hear it. She likes its shape, and the comments it generates. I wanted to tell her that the only plant that would be happy in that office would be a species of Sansevieria, but I held my tongue. Tough job when it comes to cactus care!

Our Family Cactus

When I read an article about a family that had kept a Boston Fern going for 114 years, it reminded me of the family Opuntia Ficus-Indica (Indian Fig Opuntia) that I have in my garden. It originated from a cactus that grew in my grandmother’s garden, planted there when they established their farm in the early 1920’s. My sister and nieces took pads from that old cactus years ago and started their own plants. My sister’s cactus is now about eight feet high. When I moved to my current property, I took a pad from my sister and started my own. My daughter also has a large specimen started from the family cactus.

Opuntia ficus-indica is one of the most common crop plants in many parts of the world, especially Mexico. The prickly pear fruit, or tuna, is widely eaten, as are the pads, or Napoles. Scientists say this plant provided food for humans as long as 10,000 years ago. In addition, the pads are good for animal food, and the cactus has many medicinal uses. Known for its diuretic, analgesic, laxative properties, it is also supposed to cure hangovers. It’s no wonder my grandparents wanted this versatile cactus in their garden.

O. ficus-indica can get huge, up to 10 feet high with a 15-foot spread. As it gets older, it forms a trunk with a woody appearance. The pads are virtually spine-free, and are a nice green color. This cactus needs no supplemental water. If rainfall is especially scarce, the pads will shrivel, and the plant could use a bit of water but will live without it. In the spring, yellow-orange flowers will appear along the edges of the pads. Eventually pears will form as the flowers die. In some countries, the O. ficus-indica is considered a noxious weed.

Interestingly, my sister’s large cactus has never produced flowers. After my cactus matures a bit more, I’m hoping to have some flowers and fruit, but I think it’s a long shot. Oddly, none of the O. ficus-indica specimens growing in our separate family gardens has produced flowers, even those whose cactus plants are over 10 years old.

Interruption

Since several folks have asked what happened to my daily blog entries--Currently I'm unable to write because my husband is in the hospital with a very serious health crisis that began New Year's evening. I'm at the hospital most of the time except for short breaks. He seems to be stablizing at this point.

Although the New Year didn't start off well for us, I'm hoping it will eventually be a good year overall. I do miss the daily writing and blog visits and will be back as soon as possible. Thanks for asking.

Happy New Year ~ 2008

May the longtime sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure, pure light that's within you
Guide your way on

~ Traditional Blessing