Epicactus 'Piland's Pride'

Our first Epicactus to bloom this year, it's Piland's Pride, a delicate medium sized flower. It blooms early in the year for us. I was sitting in the greenhouse having an Irish coffee with Lynn-Marie talking about the need to get to watering the Epies, and I looked across the greenhouse and lo and behold! A very pleasant surprise.

Echeveria 'Blue Waves'

I couldn't help but take a picture of 'Blue Waves' today. One of the many "blue" Echeverias, it's one of the ones which stand out.

 

Still working on the web pages, so not much time to blog. More later.

Rebutia narvaecense

Yes, I'm cheating. I didn't take this picture today. I did actually remember to take the camera with me when I was working in the greenhouses today, but it's still out in the greenhouse! So...back to the archives from a photo taken in June of 2008 of Rebutia narvaecense in flower. And I mean in flower!

We've been having some very Fall like weather this week...dry, temps in the 50s (F), but it's far too early to be able to enjoy these flowers this year. The photo will have to do. Tomorrow I'll have some photos from now!

Like most Rebutias, R. narvaecense is quite easy to grow and flower. Good drainage, dry rest period, and normal cactus care in general is all it takes.

Sorry for the Absence

I will blog some photos tomorrow! I promise. I've been totally tied up trying to get the upgrade for our nursery website completed that I just haven't been getting to the blog.

However we did get out for a drive with Ladybug the mini horse. The weather was just too nice not to get out and enjoy it. Not a long ride...just three miles around the neighborhood. The daffodils and iris are coming up, the "Snowdrops" are blooming, the raspberry vines are beginning their new shoots, and buds are popping up all over in the greenhouse. Yes, yes, yes! Spring can't be far away!

Albuca species

While doing some inventory in the greenhouses today I couldn't help to notice the signs of spring there, as well as outside. Some of the cacti are budding up and the Lithops are continuing with their growth thing. But I couldn't pass by this little gem: an un-named Albuca species from near Dusseldorp, South Africa. (The flower of course is a close-up view.)

Bryophyllum daigremontianum - Mother of Thousands

We get more calls about this plant than you can imagine. "My mother had a plant that had these little plants growing along its edge. Do you know what it is?" "My friend gave me this succulent plant that had these funny little leaflets growing along the edge. Can you tell me anything about it?"

The first response of many succulent hobbyists is to say, "You mean that 'Mother of Thousands' weed?" But that's not quite fair. It can be quite charming in its prime. And though it can become a greenhouse weed and it could become very invasive in welcoming climatic zones, in our area it won't overwinter outside. Therefore last year we decided to use it as an annual and it did beautifully, adding an interesting feature to an otherwise drab area. The winter weather has killed all those but - not to fear - we have more, wintering away in a corner of the greenhouse - hopefully as far away from other potted plants as possible....Well, one can hope!

Lithops karasmontana var. aiaisensis

OK. One more Lithops photo. Not much of a picture though. But it's of a variety we haven't had before, karasmontana var. aiaisensis. After they get their new leaves and have a chance to grow a bit, I'll get a better picture. Until then, this will have to do.

Lithops hookeri var. subfenestrata C19

Another photo of Lithops going through the birthing of their new leaves, this time Lithops hookeri var. subfenestrata (ex. C19). But enough for now. I'll come back to the Lithops later in the early Spring.