Gymnocalycium schickendantzii We finally received a bit of rain (a total of .30 here) this past week, and that small amount was enough to prompt several cacti to show off. Now, instead of just hot, it's hot and humid. Humidity in the Phoenix area this time of year runs about 40 percent in the morning hours, and 20 percent or less in the afternoon. Folks in other parts of the country may laugh that we think 20-30 percent humidity is muggy, but when you are used to "dry heat" just a small change upwards make it feel sticky.
Mammillaria grahamii
Ferocactus cylindraceus
Ferocactus cylindraceus
Ferocactus cylindraceus
I love those gymno blooms! So soft and gorgeous! Do they bloom just once a year? I will check that out. Yes...a low humidity does seem funny to us, but I can certainly see how it would make a difference. I just walked Doozey (5:30am here), and it feels like you are walking in a steam room out there...very bad right now. I guess it is moving over your way as well!!!
ReplyDeleteI've always found it amazing that a cactus, which doesn't really seem to do much, can respond so quickly to the slightest variation in it's enviornment. The feros are great flowers, of course...
ReplyDeleteYour cactus flowers are beautiful. I've seen cactus flowers only in greenhouse exhibits. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLittle rain sure has done some big magic! The blooms are pretty and coming from cacti adds to their charm.
ReplyDeleteHere at my place we are facing drought like conditions with scanty rains. If the weather continues on the same course then I'll have to follow your blog even more closely for the kind of plants i can grow.
Very nice blooms. Your high humidity levels did make me chuckle~!
ReplyDeleteWow your rainshower brought some gorgeous Cacti flowers. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I love your photos this week. That first one is just breathtaking. Glad to hear you received a little moisture so you could enjoy your flowers -- even if it does seem humid. (I completely understand about the humidity thing. When you're used to no humidity, even a little is uncomfortable!)
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of garden maintenance do you do this time of year? It's too hot for other than early morning chores but it seems there are some things I could be doing.
ReplyDeleteWow, those are beautiful! I know what you mean about the humidity and what you are used too!
ReplyDeleteGreat cactus blooms, so colorful!
ReplyDeleteAiyana, how amazing that the cacti will bloom after such a small amount of rain. Do any in the 'wild' bloom this time of year? I have been keeping an eye on your temps and -WOW is all I can say. I won't laugh at your humidity woes,although right now we have 80%+. For the most part we have had a cooler and wetter than normal summer. Very nice and it has made for some great flowers.
ReplyDeleteI love the blooms, especially the delicate M. grahamii and the gorgeous two peach colored ones. At least you have something pretty to look at while suffering from the heat. :)
Your cacus blooms are amazing as always! I especially like the mammillaria gralamii. I'm glad you got a shower so things started blooming for you. We've had too much rain. Sorry I didn't visit yesterday, internet problems. Jean
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are really nice, I love the colors. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm blown away by your beautiful cactus flowers! So many different colors, and so wonderful to see!
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