Lithops

We've been holding back this Lithops plant for three years now. This is its third set of leaves and the variegation remains as it was in each previous set. We'll see what happens this year.

Today was one continuous process of potting up plants. It'll be the same for the next three or four days until my grandson and I transport the plants to the sale site. We don't own a large truck, so it takes about 4 or 5 trips in our Ford Aerostar Minivan. They don't make the Aerostars any more, but it has several advantages, the most of which is that it has plenty of head room. We can even carry Ladybug (the mini horse) in the back!

Crassula capitella subsp. thyrisiflora

It was a lovely day today, nice enough to sit out on the deck for an afternoon drink today. I also gave me an opportunity to set up the tripod and get some photography done. This is a close-up of Crassula capitella subsp. thyrisiflora showing its wonderful symmetry. Now, of course, this is very much a close-up! This is a small plant.

Enjoy your plants!

Pygmaecereus densilanata crest

Another nice crest which is overgrowing its area is Pygmaecereus densilanata crest. My guess is that this is a species which has been clumped with something else, if it was ever commonly accepted, but in this case it doesn't really matter. Once these plants become crested it's almost impossible to discern what the original plant was, accept for the occasional normal offset. But, just out of curiosity, does anyone know anything about this species? Was it legitimately published and if so, by whom? And where would it be included in the currently more accepted taxonomy? It's not even mentioned in Anderson. Feedback?

Cheiridopsis candidissima

We've always liked these South African carpet forming plants. And the flowers are large, cream to yellow.

Monanthes brachycaulos

When our greenhouses are as crowded as ours are I come to prize nice little miniatures like this plant, Monanthes brachycaulos. Or at least that's what the label said when we obtained it. To me it looks more like M. polyphylla, but I'm far from an expert on this genus.

It's quite easy to grow. Just keep it a bit on the dry side during the winter.

Members of the Crassulaceae family, the genus mostly endemic to the Canary Islands and Salvage Islands, with some found on Madeira.

Echeveria 'Frilly Maid'

Another nice old-timer, but new to our collection, is Echeveria 'Frilly Maid'. Our understanding is that this is a Dick Wright hybrid. Very similar to some of the other blue-green crinkle leaf Echeverias, it's distinctiveness comes with the pink blush in good light.

Enjoy your plants!

Workshop January 23

Just a note to invite persons in the Portland to attend the workshop I'll be giving next Sunday at Portland Nursery on Division Street. It'll be mostly geared toward beginners but we'll try to answer any questions that participants have. It's at 1 pm at the Portland Nursery on Division Street. See you there. (I'll be back with some new photos tomorrow (or, rather later today!). Enjoy your plants.

Dioscorea elephantipes

We've had this "Elephant's Foot" for a long time. It's seed grown and takes a while to get to the larger size. When we first started in this hobby some 40+ years ago, large collected specimens were readily available. I'm thankful that isn't the case any more. I know of far too many of those plants which bit the dust prematurely, all because we want to collect the largest plants we can. What a waste. It's much more satisfying to grow a beautiful and well-grown plant from seedling stage on.

When we first started growing these particular plants we were a bit over cautious with the water, fearing it would rot. What we finally realized, and confirmed with other growers, is that it likes adequate watering when it's in its growing stage. Just keep it drier when it's dormant.

Enjoy your plants!

Mussonia jasminiflora (postulate form)

Massonia jasminiflora: These are winter flowering plants from the eastern Cape Province in South Africa. A great little succulent bulb with two leaves which can be quite variable, and - as the name hints - the flowers have the distinct aroma of Jasmine.

Our biggest problem is finding a way to maneuver down the aisles to get over to where these plants are!

Pedilanthus macrocarpus cristate

Known as the Slipper Plant or "Gallito", from the Sonoran Desert in Mexico and Baja, this is a leafless succulent shrub which sometimes produces crested stems. Our primary interest is in these crested forms. For those of us who can't plant them outside, they make a cool pot specimen. It's a dry-land shrub, so don't over-water. It gets its common name from the shape of its flowers.

Echeveria 'Tippy'

In the nursery we have a hard time keeping these in stock. Lynn-Marie keeps propogating, but nevertheless we keep running out. It's understandable. They're deservedly popular. So... here's Echeveria 'Tippy' ... again.

Sempervivum 'Red Beauty'

Another semp we've recently added to our supply is this gem: Sempervivum 'Red Beauty'. As with most sempervivums, the appearance can be quite variable, depending on the light and the soil.

Aeonium 'White Fringe'

We first purchased this plant (actually, its ancestors) about 40 years ago and this is the name it had. I haven't been able to find such a name in the literature since then. But it's a neat plant. It doesn't get very large and is easy to grow. But it has one other characteristic which gives it a certain degree of uniqueness: Its leaves are sticky. Quite sticky. Obviously we like it or we wouldn't have had it around for 40 years!

We have an eventful weekend coming up. We're going back to the Oregon State Fair again, this time to watch the Peruvian Paso Horses. Then on Monday (Labor Day in the U.S.) we're going to a horse ranch in Northern Idaho. I'll still try to get a few posts up.

Copiapoa laui

This species, often misspelled lauii, is a part of the hypogaea complex and is the smallest of the Copiapoas. It eventually will form nice clusters, but will flower when it is still very small.

Our weather is jerking us around a bit. Mid 90s F today, 70 F Thursday and Friday. Enjoy your plants!

Echeveria 'Pinky'

Echeveria 'Pinky', an Echeveria shaviana hybrid by Martin Kimnach.

Busy getting ready for the OCSS meeting here on Sunday. If you're in the area, hope you can come. It should be fun.

Enjoy your plants.

Lithops optica 'Rubra'

A long time ago I posted a photo of a couple of Lithops optica 'Rubra' seedlings. They've grown up a bit.

The color isn't quite right, but you get the picture. Lithops are such fun plants. People often tell me that they're just too hard to grow. Well, they can be a challenge for a beginner - and sometimes even for a seasoned grower. I tell people they're probably going to kill one or two before they catch on, but it's worth the effort. Haven't grown them before? Try them; you just may fall in love with them.

Mammillaria schwarzii

I've posted photos of Mammillaria schwarzii before, but not this one. There must be something in my - long distant - childhood which causes me to be drawn to fuzzy plants like this, especially when they flower so easily.

Sorry, no more Echeverias today. I'll try...

Turbinicarpus viereckii

I should list this as Turbinicarpus aff. viereckii since the description of this plant speaks of  "flowers magenta with white throats or completely white". It's also commonly known as a Gymnocactus. Take your pick. A striking plant.

 

It's been flowering off and on for several weeks now.

One more sale is over...

Just a couple of shots from the sale this past weekend. Other photos tomorrow.

Mammillaria albicoma

This fuzzy little gem is from Tamaulipas, Mexico. The flowers can vary from greenish-yellow to cream. I tried to take a photo yesterday but it wasn't very good...so, back to an archive photo. Hey, it could very well be the same plant.

Summer has finally arrived here and driven out the rain. Temperatures in the mid 80s F today, tomorrow around 95 and clear sunny days. Night time temperatures stay in the 50s. Yes, yes...I'm ready!
And so are the plants!