Gymnocalycium vatteri

The genus name gymnocalycium comes from the Greek for naked calyx

referring to the flower buds bearing no hair or spines.

This is a very slow growing species from the grassy hillsides of Serria Grande of Cordoba, Argentina at an altitude of about 2500 feet. Generally solitary, older plant specimens may cluster from the base. The body is flattened with a green-blue or dull grey-green color reaching a width of about 3 1/2" and about 1 1/2" in height. 1, 2, or 3 spines that are stiff and bent to the body. The most characteristic vatteri form is the one with a single spine. Flowers are white with light pink throat and about 1 1/2" long. Named after Ernst Vatter of Buenos Aires.

The plant above in the collection is in a 3" pot.

Oreocereus trollii

OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN

The name Oreocereus comes from the Greek for 'mountain Cereus'.

Oreocereus trollii, native to the mountains of South America in the of regions of Argentina and southern Bolivia, it is slow to form clumping clusters of chunky columns to 2' in height. Columnar stems are densely covered in white wool (actually white radial spines that have evolved to resemble "hairs"), that totally obscures the body of plant. Some bright red spines are visible above the wool . The flowers are violet red and semi-tubular in shape.

You will notice that the plant above is starting to clump at the base. It has been in the collection for about five years and planted in a 5" pot.

Scarlett Ball Cactus

Notocactus haselbergii

A nice surprise this weekend, went out to the greenhouse and there is it was bloomin' in all its little glory (just waiting for the bud to open). You can see the seeds from the last time it bloomed which I think was just this last Spring. I might try to propagate the seeds........... I have a feeling it might be more work than what its worth. This Noto has been a great little bloomer since I have had it, blooms at least twice a year for me. I have had it about 5 years and it is in a 5" pot.

A solitary, fast growing, little cactus from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil that is flattened, a bright green, almost completely concealed by dense spines, up to 4" tall, 6" in diameter. The crown of the plant is usually set at an angle to prevent water-sitting.The spines are silvery white, eventually with a yellowish tip, soft and bristly. Bright orange to brick-red flowers that are up to about 1" wide and each can last one to three weeks. It flowers at the end of the winter or in early spring for a long period of time (The bloom period can last up to two months!). Normally start flowering when the plant reaches about 2" in diameter. Named after the collector Dr. F. von Haselberg.

Euphorbia Obesa

The plant above is in a 4" pot and has been in the collection for 5 years.

Euphorbia obesa is a peculiar, almost ball shaped dwarf succulent plant that resembles a stone. It can grow to 7" in height with a diameter of 3-4". It is a single-stemmed, unbranched, firm-bodied plant. The stem is usually 8-angled and grooved, subglobose (almost spherical) in shape, elongating and becoming cylindrical as it gets older. Younger plants have a rounded sea urchin-like shape. The rotund stem is mottled grey-green in color with dull purple transverse bands. The root system is a tapering tap root. The obesa is a subtropical succulent species of Euphorbia genus. It comes from South Africa, especially in the Cape Province. This plant is dioecious which means that it has only male or female flowers. In the wild, it is endangered because over-collection and poaching, because of its slow growth, and the fact that the pod contains only 2 to 3 seeds. However, it is widely cultivated in botanical gardens. Other names given to this wonderful interesting succulent are Baseball Plant, Sea Urchin, Golf Ball, Basketball, Living Baseball, Gingham, and Vetmensie. Like all other Euphorbias, one must be careful of the poisonous sap that this plant has.

Ortegocactus macdougallii

Ortegocactus macdougallii is a species of cactus, the sole species of the genus Ortegocactus and closely related to Mammillaria. The plant has a greenish-gray epidermis and black spines. It is only known from Oaxaca, Mexico where it grows on limestone rock. It is often grafted since it is tricky to grow when on its own roots. A harmless but unsightly orange discoloration is common at the base of the stems. It named in honor of the family Ortega, from San Jose Lachuguiri that helped Tom MacDougall in the discovery of this plant.

The plant above is growing in a 3" pot and purchased a couple of years ago. I like the contrast of the spines against the body of the plant.

Euphorbia suzannae

Euphorbia suzannae
Suzanna's Spurge

Love this little plant, one of the most interesting Euphorbias in the Death Valley Shack collection. This one is very small, I think its planted in a 3 1/2" pot. Named after the wife of the discoverer Dr. Muir.

Euphorbias are a truly interesting plant. So many varieties and different growing conditions. There are over 2000 species of Euphorbias in the world. They range from annual weeds to trees. They all have latex and a unique flower structure. A significant percentage is succulent, but they are mostly originating from Africa and Madagascar, but there are also a few from the Americas. The Euphorbias are named after a Greek surgeon called Euphorbus. He was physician of Juba II who was the Romanised king of a North African kingdom, and is supposed to have used their milky latex as an ingredient for his potions.

Several Euphorbias are garden plants, the most popular being the Poinsettia and Diamond Frost an annual that is used in container planting.

Aloe haworthioides var. haworthioides

This attractive miniature Aloe is quite convincing as a Haworthia. I purchased this Aloe two years ago and is quite the good bloomer, as you can see it has two flower spikes at this time. The inside of the leaves are maroonish and the outside is rich green. Love the furry teeth it has like delicate filigree, not to worry about being hurt with this plant. Native to Madagascar, it forms a miniature rosette with slender 3" leaves. Rosette to 3" in diameter with numerous offsets. Small pinkish flowers on a tall spike. I have moved it inside the house to enjoy the flowers when they open. The pot size is 3".

Aloe deltoideodonta var. cardians

ALOE DELTOIDEODONTA var. CARDIANS

This stemless or short stemmed Aloe comes from the rocky slopes of the mountainous Fianarantsoa province of southern central Madagascar at elevation of 2,100 to 2,600 feet. It produces pups from the base to make a cluster of rosettes with pale green 6 to 8 inch long by 2 inch wide leaves with prominent darker green parallel lines and straw colored margins. It is shy to bloom but is described as having a short branched or unbranched conical inflorescence with green tipped pale orange flowers that open to near white and deflex downward.

Tephrocactus molinensis

Relative of the Opuntia Family

The Tephrocactus contains 5 species that are relatives of the Opuntias, and often included in that genus. The genus name "Tephrocactus" derives from the Greek adjective “tephros” meaning “ash coloured” plus the connective vowel “o” used in botanical Latin for Greek words , and the word “cactus” (an old genus name). The genus name implies: “ash coloured cactus”.
The name "molinensis" comes from "Los Molinos", name of the original location of Argentina (Salta, Los Molinos) from the high elevation in the Andes mountains, and are generally frost resistant. The habitat it grows in is often an open area among the wide spread Trichocereus pasacana. Small clumping segmented succulent, in cultivation grows as small erect segment chains. In habitat the plants stay smaller because the uppermost segments are detachable and drop easily. At the end of the dry season the cladodes are very dehydrated and plants retract almost at soil level. There is also a red form. The plant above is in a 3" pot.

Thread Leaf Agave

AGAVE FILIFERA

Agaves are the number one succulents that I collect, Ferocactus being second. This little one is the Agave filifera variety planted in a 2 1/2 inch pot. The origin is Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa, Sonora), at an elevation of 4500 to 7500 feet. Stemless rosette up to 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide; 100 leaves or more per rosette, each leaf has white markings, sharp tips and marginal fibers.

Mammillaria spinosissima cv. Un Pico

Un Pico

This is a stable genetic mutation from a very variable spined species M. spinosissima ssp. spinosissima, aka "red-headed Irishman". A species of cactus that grows in Guerrero, Mexico. On the cultivar Un Pico each areole only produces one spine, but some perfectly spineless areoles are also present, but the axil is very woolly . Columnar solitary (usually) or slowly clumping, dark blue-green, rarely exceeding 12 inches in height and four inches in diameter. Flowers are a purplish red. The plant above is growing in a four inch pot and is about seven inches tall. I like the look of this plant very much, I even have a little group of three in another pot, and the largest plant is about two inches tall.

Black Spined Sea Urchin

COPIAPOA CINEREA

I like the way this plant mimics sea-life, but if you look closely some sea-life and succulents have very similar characteristics. This plant in the collection is about 2" wide. It has changed very little since I purchased it in 2005.

Copiapoa cinerea from the coastal areas of South America, where it grows in areas where very little else grows. It's a very drought tolerant species. One of the most admired species of cacti with chalky/white stems covered with wool at the apex, which contrasts well with the sparse, jet-black spines. It is a solitary, or slowly offsetting, globular to columnar cactus. It is an extremely variable species with many forms, sometimes with long spines or others spineless. The white coloration is a waxy coating presumably to prevent dessication in it's extremely dry environment. In cultivation the white waxy bloom is often not produced, revealing a brownish epidermis. An extremely slow growing cactus kept for the beauty of its form. It must be protected from excessive heat and sun in summer, and seems to do best in cultivation with a bit of shade. It requires light but regular waterings in summer, but let the soil mix dry between waterings. Prone to rot if over-watered. Needs good drainage. Keep warm and dry in winter (50°F) to avoid rot. Not highly tolerant of a great deal of frost. (Frost tolerance 32°F)

Foxtail, Swan Neck, or Lion's Tail

AGAVE ATTENUATA

This is my favorite Agave, I love the simplicity that this plant has. No spines, no teeth and a wonderful chartreuse color. Native to the plateau of central Mexico, as one of the unarmed agaves its popular as an ornamental plant in gardens where it is warmer and it does not fall below freezing. Agave attenuata is a tropical agave, it is frost sensitive, doesn't like hot sun, and requires more water than the other agave varieties. I have mine out on the patio during the late spring and summer, otherwise it lives in the greenhouse. It is planted in a 16" pot and is about 2 1/2 feet tall. It is very sad but this plant is disappearing out in its natural habitat. It blooms only when the plant is 10 years old or more. The flower stalk is large 7 to 13 feet with yellow-green drooping flowers organized as a raceme. The plant then dies leaving suckers or pups that grow into replacement plants.

USDA hardiness zone 10 to zone 11

Mexican Fire Barrel

FEROCACTUS PILOSUS

aka

Mexican Fire Barrel

WOW.......a new cactus for the greenhouse. This plant is amazing, the spines alone are threatening. Long, red, and sharp, but a beautiful contrast against the green body of the plant. It is about 7" across and 6" high. In order for this plant to bloom it will take about 40 to 50 years and reach a height of about 6' to 7' x 3' wide. Ferocactus pilosus originally comes from Central Mexico. They grow solitary or form massive clumps of several stems. When it flowers they are produced in circles around the stem tips or crown of the plant and a wonderful color of yellow to red.

Ferocactus

From the Latin ferox, meaning "fierce" and the Greek word kaktos, meaning "thistle".

Scarlet Ball Cactus

NOTOCACTUS HASELBERGII

The Notocactus haselbergii is a solitary, fast growing, up to 4 inches high and 6 inches wide. The location of origin is Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul. This variety is actually a shade loving plant.

Notocactus is a genus of around 25 species of South-American cacti from low elevations of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil. It is where the land is quite dry and the daytime temperatures can get high. In collections they are grown for their spine formations, as well as for their attractive flowers. The genus name comes from the Greek for "cactus from the south". Notocactus are almost always globose, elongating as they age, some species eventually reach 3 feet. They are often solitary, rarely offsetting, or producing stolons. Their flowers are funnel or bell shaped, yellow, or occasionally red. They come in groups of 3 or 4 at several times during the year and lasting around a week.

Pincushions of the Cactus World

MAMMILLARIA BOMBYCINA

MAMMILLARIA/ LATIN MEANING MAMMILLA "NIPPLE"

Distribution of Mammillarias extends from the southern United States to Northern Colombia as well as the West Indies. With 350 species Mammillarias are the largest genus in the cacti family as well as the most diverse in appearance. The plants are small to medium sized, spherical or elongated and cylindrical. The thick or bristly spination is often short and colorful. The smaller species have a central spine that is generally hooked similar to a fishhook. Flowers raise from the axils in rings around the upper part of the body like a crown, they are small to large, bell shaped like a short tube. Colors range from white, cream, yellow, pink, dark red, and mauve. There are some with striped flowers as well.
A great many of these plants are easy to grow and very popular in collections. They are hardy plants that prefer full sun, medium to coarse soil mix and a dry winter rest. The photograph above of the M. bombycina plant is from the greenhouse.

New Stunning Barrel

This is quite the new barrel cactus for my collection. I purchased it from Luther of Kara Nursery at a sale held at Portland Nursery during the weekend of July 16th to the 18th by the Oregon Cactus and Succulent Society . Planted in a 10" pot and its about 8" across and about 14" tall. Has a beautiful blue-green cast with golden needles. Luther had no idea what genus or species it is and I'm looking through all my books, not having much luck. It will be great to find out the actual genus someday.

Gymnocalycium pflanzii var. lagunillasense

I have had this Gymno for a couple of years and love the flowers it puts out. A very pale pink with a raspberry center. The Gymno is in a 6" pot so you have an idea as to how big the plant is. I purchased it from Kara Nursery, located here in Portland, Oregon. Kara Nursery is an internet and mail order nursery only and not open to the public (that is why I had provide the link). I'm lucky that they set-up at certain sales during the year here in Portland and Luther and his wife Lynn-Marie are also customers at the store I work at.

Gymnocalycium pflanzii comes from South America in the areas of north Argentina and south Bolivia. The genus name comes from the Greek for "naked calyx" referring to the flower buds bearing no hair or spines. The growth habit is neither solitary or slowly clustering and the shape is globose. Having 4-15 ribs, sometimes more, usually broadly rounded, often spiraling and at times tuberculate. Often with "chins" just below the areoles, areoles large and with spines. Gymnos are among the most popular cacti for collectors and hobbyists.

Welcome...........

This is the second blog I will be investing time into, the first is Beech Street Gardens. Sorry Facebook. I decided to start a new blog with regards to the succulents and cactus that I grow in the greenhouse here at Beech Street Gardens. The greenhouse was built in 2005 and houses a small collection that I have been putting together since 2003. I was running out of space in the laundry room and decide it was time to make a change. I have named the greenhouse "Death Valley Shack", I like the way it sounds. I hope you all will enjoy seeing the plants from the greenhouse, reading tidbits of information, and seeing the world of these fascinating plants that I have enjoyed for many years.