Lapidaria margaretae flower

The next mesemb which is blooming is the Lapidaria, another bright yellow flowered plant.

Lithops pseudotruncatella subsp. volkii

The Lithops have been beginning to flower, among those being these plants (often referred to as the "pallid form" of the species because of the pale surface with less markings - usually). Originally from Namibia, it tends to clump readily, making it very popular with collectors.

Dinteranthus microspermus subsp. puberulus

This is an old clump which we had for several years. It's quite easy to grow with a gritty substrate with excellent drainage being most important. It's a summer grower.

Cheiridopsis cigarettifera

Like something out of a 1950s science fiction movie, these little plants have had a fascination for us from almost that far back. These are seedlings.

Pleiospilos nelii 'Royal Flush'

Desperately in need of water, "Royal Flush' is, never the less, holding on. It is a succulent after all! I expect to be able to get out to do some extensive watering tomorrow, now that the weather has moderated. Especially the epies, echeverias and haworthias.

Aloinopsis rubrolineata

Another Aloinopsis is also blooming: Aloinopsis rubrolineata. Another "pick me up" for another gray, overcast, drizzly day.

Lithops optica 'Rubra' C287

A couple of days ago I took a picture of this 4 year old, seed-grown Lithops opitica 'Rubra' C287. Such lovely and striking little flowers on such impressive little bodies.

Our best wishes to all of you for a joyful and blessed
Christmas and a bountiful New Year in which more and more of the people of the world receive the resources needed in order to thrive. May God bless you all!

Neohenricia sibbettii

Neohenricia sibbettii is a true miniature. This is an extreme closeup showing the rugose leaf tips. They can make a very impressive mound if grown nicely and they're quite easy to grow, but to me they are most impressive under the closeup lens.

I just got back in from the greenhouses to make sure the heaters are working OK. We're getting our first (and hopefully last) dose of arctic weather with lows in the mid 20s (-4C) tonight and into the teens (-8C or so) tomorrow night. Uhg. We've had some winters without a true hard frost, but obviously this isn't going to be one of them. At least there's no moisture with it and it won't last more than 2 or 3 days as it moves east where it's supposed to be - on the plains!

Fenestraria (Baby Toes) Flower

Another mesemb that's sending out its flowers, good old "Baby Toes". They can have yellow or white flowers.

Now, to be honest. This is an older photo. I didn't have time to photograph the plants today, but tomorrow - both the white and yellow flowered ones.

And another "to be honest". We tend to forget to water these plants when they need it in the winter because most of our other plants don't especially want to be watered. We're trying to do better and they like us for it.

Tomorrow then...

Gibbaeum dispar

Just a quick photo tonight as I have to get up early tomorrow to have some blood tests done and then to get some prep work done for a new dental crown. A fun morning. What could be better than a nice mesemb flower to get your mind off dental work?

Glottiphyllum pygmaeum

This is Glottiphyllum pygmaeum, one of those fat mesembs from South Africa. Someof these "Tongue Plants" can get pretty big and rangy, at least in our experience. This one tends to stay more compact and neat.

These are flowering now so it's time to post it. Quite attractive I think.

Lithops optica ssp. rubra

OK, so I said I'd get back to more images of Haworthias. I will; I really will. But I just couldn't resist posting this closeup photo of a Lithops seedling...Lithops optica ssp. rubra. Years ago we bought a bunch of these in California and on the way home in our trusty old VW camper we decided to camp out in central Oregon, which is high desert country. When we came back from a long hike we found all the "rubras" had been eaten by chipmunks. Mind you, none of the other Lithops...just the optica rubras! That's a true story. And one more reason we like these critters so much...the Lithops, that is.

And yes, we still like chipmunks. They're cute little critters too.