Wolverine Barrel

FEROCACTUS EMORYI
SUBSPECIES RECTISPINUS

Fero from Greek meaning "fierce"

The newest addition to the Death Valley Shack collection.
The barrel cactus is 8" wide with 4" spines and planted in a 10" pot.

Always cylindrical or barrel shaped and are usually among the largest cacti of the North American deserts. All members of the barrel family have prominent ribs and are fiercely armed with heavy spines. In some species, one or more central spines are curved like a fishhook, accounting for the common name Fishhook Barrel Cactus. The younger plants of the Emoryi cactus have colored spines, often a purple hue, and very few that are strongly crosshatched ridges. The very long central spines are only slightly flat and not hooked. Growing at an elevation of 1,500 to 3,500 feet in the Sonoran Desert of Pima and Yuma counties of Arizona, as well as down south into Mexico. Reaching a height of 8 feet and flowering in July and August with yellow, orange, or maroon flowers.

Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rubispinus

"RUBY RAINBOW"

Mexico
"Northern Sonora, North-Western Chihuahua"

I like the look of this cactus, the spine coloration is very pretty. If I allowed this plant to have more sun, the spines would develop into a deep raspberry color. It is not one of the easiest of cactus to grow due to them being so prone to root rot from over-watering. One of the most interesting facts about this cactus is that it will take temperatures in the teens for a short period. No central spine is on the areole. Prefers soil poor in lime and usually acidic. Beautiful bright pinkish-red or magenta or red flowers with white throats are huge, up to 4" wide. Blooms in ring on the crown of the stem in spring. This plant is in a 3" pot.

Gymnocalycium achirasense var. orientale

After looking thru my many books and viewing websites,I believe this to be a Gymnocalycium achirasense var. orientale. I'm very sure I'm correct, but I would not bet the greenhouse on it. As always the flowers are amazing.........I moved this plant from Death Valley Shack to the kitchen table to enjoy the flowers!

Gymnocalyciums in habitat are found in South-Eastern South America in various environments and elevations.

The Gymno. achirasense grows in Argentina in the foothills of the city of Cordoba. The variety name "orientale" means that it lies in the most eastern part of the habitat. Achirasense is a (usually) solitary cactus, flattened or globular, dark-green, grey-green to olive green, 2"-3" in diameter up to 2" in height, but in cultivation it can become 4" high (or more) over the years. 10-12 spines which are stout and aggressive, but usually fewer in young plants, bent against the body with a rib count of 12-15. Central spines are usually absent or they have 1 erect. The flowers are some of the largest in this genus, often growing larger than the plant, whitish, pale pink to lavender, with a darker mid-strip.The cultivation of this plant as well as other Gymnocalyciums is simple. They are summer growers, water regularly in summer, keep rather dry in winter. They will flourish in full sun (not direct) or light shade. The Gymnocalyciums are one of the easiest of the cacti to grow, to have flower and can flower at an early age.

Mammillaria spinosissima cv. Un Pico

There is a blog entry on this same plant from October 21, 2010. I do not want to bore anyone with the info regarding this plant. Just wanted to share the flowers that are in bloom right now. The color is an amazing purple red..........

Cactus Garden

Click on photograph to enlarge for a better view

I purchased this photograph at the Rose City Collectors Show this last weekend. Love the collection of plants in this person's yard. Quite a nice group of cactus and succulents. There is a nice size Ferocactus on the right side of the photograph. Talk about a drought tolerant yard. Found it to be interesting to share.

Mammillaria spinosissima

RED-HEADED IRISHMAN

One of first cactus before Death Valley Shack was built. Actually there are twin plants in the pot, but this is the one blooming. Nice pink blooms against the reddish-copper needles. The flowers are fashioned as a ring around the apex of the plant. The Mammillaria spinosissina comes from the Guerrero area of Mexico. Easy to grow and self fertile so it produces its own seeds. Cylindrical plants up to 8 to 12 inches in height and about 4 inches wide.

Bloomin' again

NOTOCACTUS HASELBERGII

This is the same little Scarlett Ball cactus blooming again that I posted about in December. The dried flower in the picture is from the December blooming. This is the cactus that has the seeds on it and I'm going to see if I can get them to sprout.