My newest Echinopsis, a Schick hybrid called E. 'Shere Kahn', bloomed this past week. Later in the day, the flower faded to a beautiful pale coral orange.
Many buds have appeared on most of my other Schick and Harry Johnson hybrids. Looks like I won't be lacking in photos for blog posts for a few weeks!
Mammillaria spinosissima (Red Headed Irishman) The flowers on this species of Mammillaria are large compared to the flowers of other Mammillaria species.
This Echinocereus pulchellus is still quite small and didn't grow much last summer. The flower is three times as large as the body of the cactus.
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The Agave lophantha flower raceme that I've shown before has now begun to bloom, such as it were. I don't think you can call these little structures flowers. They are more like pollen covered stamens without petals. These began to open from the bottom of the stalk, so I lost my own bet that the blooms would start at the top of this raceme. The flowers have only opened on the bottom one-third of the raceme so far.
This Agave's impending death is now becoming obvious. The leaves are losing their color and becoming a bit flaccid. This process will take months.
20 comments:
Hi Aiyana
My favorite time in the desert is in spring to see it come alive with so much pretty flowers! I love that bloom in your second picture of that pink flower! You took great pictures!
Happy Bloomin' Tuesday.
~Ann
That flower which is three times as large as the cactus body is amazing Aiyana ! so much of the plant's energy must be used in producing it .. plants never fail to amaze me : )
Your cactus blooms are such brilliant colors, I really like the bright pink flower on Echinocereus pulchellus. What a fantastic shade!
Love these unique flowers! The orange one looks like it isn't real it is so perfect!
I love looking at your flowers and displays - so different than I am used to and I love it!
Thanks for sharing,
Paula in Idaho
Beautiful, as always... My one and only echinopsis is forming buds for the first time... I bought it ID'd as Echinopsis species so I have no idea what's gonna happen.
The Agave bloom is interesting, do the blooms have any scent?
Sorry about the Agave....your blooms are so bright!!
I always look forward to your posts, Aiyana. These photos are particularly impressive... just stunning. The red headed Irishman is gorgeous!
The death of your agave is a sad thing isn't it? Over all, it is such a cool plant. Your 'bloom posting' caused me to go check my neglected hardy aloe which is in the process of crazy blooming. BUT it doesn't give its life for it-thank goodness.
LOVE your cacti blooms:) (or is is cactus blooms?:)
I love how vibrant cacti flowers are...In the fall I need to put more flowering cacti in my garden. Thanks for the inspiration! Phoenix, AZ
The Agave is certainly interesting. The 'flowers are so unique. I am always amazed at thre brilliant colors of your cactus blooms!Absolutely beautiful! I love the 'Red Headed Irishman'! Jean
I love the photo of the Agave flower!
Cactus flowers amaze me with their brilliant colours.
Wow, Shere Kahn is really lovely. And I like the Red Headed Irishman too. ;)
Aiyana, I have been waiting for your cactus to start blooming. I so enjoyed them last spring. Shere Kahn is gorgeous as is the red head. Such a huge flower on the pulchellus. No wonder it doesn't grow much-it uses all it's energy producing the flower. How sad about your agave, but I know that's what they do. All that time to grow and then have such un-beautiful flowers. :) Well, I am sure something will appreciate the pollen.
I have been looking for the name of that bottom pic of agave for months is not a year! They have it in the college succulent garden here and some have said it was called "Lemon-Lime", but I find nothing on the web about it. I tried to get a leaf of it to root here, but it never did. Do you know the name of it???
I love the first flower! That is amazing you have so many wonderful blooms. We have had nothing but rain. I just put up my post as I am a bit late So I am blooming Wednesday. lol. Have a great week!
Hi Julie,
It's Agave lophantha, or commonly, Thorncrest Agave. There are several hybrids with stripes. If the one you've seen has yellow on the leaf margins and has broader leaves, it may be A. Lophantha 'Quadicolor' Lemon-Lime would be a suitable common name for it as the colors of the leaves look like lemons and limes. Mine has the yellow leaves because it's dying. Usually, the leaves are a deep lime green with a yellowish center stripe.
Aiyana
Just found your blog a couple of days ago, I really enjoying your pictures. I am an oregon gardener with an arizona gardener trapped inside! So sorry about the dying agave...will you leave it for a while or give it a quick send off? Does it have pups that will live on?
WOW! Those blooms are completely magnificent. If I haven't told you lately, I'm so jealous of your collection. And I know it's Friday, but I've just joined the Bloomin Tuesday fun, too. Come by when you have time.
Love the red headed Irish , great colour!
amazing photos- I am captivated by the agave story line- do post again as the flowers open.
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