Agave schidigera 'Shira ito no Ohi'

This is a small, slow growing Agave, which is perfect for those who just don't have room or climate to grow the larger agaves. Growing to a foot across it can make an outstanding specimen in a nice pot, or grown in the ground in a dryer zone 8 or warmer.

Lobivia 'Aracnacot'

We've had this plant for quite a few years now and love it when it flowers. Not a big plant or big flower, but quite impressive. This photo doesn't do it justice. According to our information it's a Johnson hybrid, but we have no definite information.

Echeveria flowers

The sedum in the background is 'Christmas Cheer', and we need some "cheery" weather about now. It's been a bit dreary with rain, showers, cold wind and grey skies, but it appears we're heading back to some dry and warmer weather soon.

Echinopsis species

 

We've had this echinopsis for a long time but don't have a species name for it. With a little research we could probably find it. The flowers don't last long, but they're amazing and have a wonderful scent.

Epicactus 'Clown'

 

'Clown' is one of the last of our epicactus hybrids to bloom, but it's worth the wait. The first picture was taken before the sun broke through the clouds, but later we had what locally we call "sun breaks". Enjoy your plants!

An observation

As we were out walking our daily mile in overlook park this morning we noticed two people who came to exercise their dogs (though it's not a dog park and dogs are supposed to be on lead). Each of the guys had one of those flipper things for tossing the ball. They would toss the ball with a flick of the wrist and stand there texting on their cells, neither one getting any exercise themselves.

Dogs have always been a part of our lives. Not just dogs, but dogs which need exercise: Belgian Tervuren. Even the breed standard says they are constantly in motion except when under command. The end result is that they kind of push you to get some exercise yourself. And that's a good thing. But just as with humans, they would much prefer to have your attention rather than sharing it with an electronic gizmo. Don't ya think?

A Cluster of Cacti

If you've gone to our website you'll know that we are closing the nursery... as we now know it. We'll continue with periodic offerings via email and there will be information on how to opt in soon ... both on the nursery website and here on my blog. We will also do the local cactus society show and sale and some ebay offerings. The blog will also continue. And I need to concentrate on getting Lynn-Marie's art website up and running!

Euphorbia milii 'Fireworks'

No comment needed!

Enjoy your plants!

Echeveria agavoides 'Red Edge'

I know there's not much of a red edge, but they'll get much more of an accent of red edges as we get into warmer weather.
If and when we get back to some warmer weather!!! We have a Pacific, winter-style storm coming in over us for the next few days so things will be a bit chilly for this time of year. The wet will be normal!

Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor'

One of those beautiful, smaller-growing agaves, this one takes on a nice red edge in the summer.

Sinningia leucotricha

What's not to like about this Sinningia? It's easy to grow; it has gorgeous fuzzy-white leaves; and the flowers are fantastic. The tuber, which is usually grown with the top exposed, is just an added "plus" to all the above.

Lobivia 'Easter Bonnet'

This old timer has been in our collection for too many years to mention. Unfortunately, we've been unable to propagate enough of them to offer them for sale. The flower isn't large (this is a close-up), but the colors make up for it.

Monsonia crassicaulis

Not everything that's spiny is a cactus, and this is a case in point. Monsonia crassicaulis is one spiny little plant from Namibia and Western South Africa. A member the Geraniaceae  family, it used to go under the moniker Sarcocaulon crassicaule but it received its current name in 1996. It's a winter grower and likes excellent drainage.

Rebutia albipilosa

This is certainly the blooming season for the cacti and they're putting a good show. It's hard to keep up but I'll try. At this time of year it's hard to believe that the number one question we get at cactus shows is "How do I get my cactus to flower?"!!

Echinocereus scheeri var. gentryi

And now, as promised, a daytime shot of Echinocereus scheeri var. gentryi.

Flowers in the night

Lynn-Marie cought these flowers late yesterday evening, with Sinningia flowers on the left and Echinocereus scheeri var. gentryi in the center. I took some pictures during the day today and I'll post them tomorrow.

Epicactus 'Fifi'

Another Epicactus was blooming today: 'Fifi', a beautiful pink

And like I said earlier, the rains have returned. We'll be back to seasonably cool and wet for the next week.

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.

Echeveria 'Cante'

We only have a very limited amount of these wonderful plants. They're quite impressive. From the mountains of Zacatecas, E. cante was only recently named, even though the plant has long been in cultivation under the name of Echeveria subrigida or Echeveria rosei. The name comes from the Cante Institute and Botanic Garden in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico where the Charles Glass was curator until his death in 1998.

Aporocactus 'Oakleigh Conquest'

Another aporocactus which is blooming right now is 'Oakleigh Conquest'. It's also very dependable and floriferous!

Aporocactus 'Beauty'

We anticipate this every year as the flowers are so exquisite
As you can tell we have quite a few epiphytic tropical cacti and hybrids, but we don't sell them because our greenhouse conditions aren't the best for these plants. As a result, the plants tend to get a bit scarred and don't look the best. They also tend to get "short shrift" when it comes to getting watered and cared for. But for all that mistreatment just look at the reward!

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has definitely arrived...and with weather which is more akin to Summer than Spring. We've been in the 80'sF for several days in a row now...quite unusual for the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.
But, I'm not worried; rain will return, of that you can be sure!

Rebutia margarethae

Of all the cacti, rebutias have to be counted as one of my favorites. Flowers vary from smallish to quite large and impressive and most are quite colorful. And, they're easy to grow. What's not to like!

Mammillaria hahniana

Another of the cacti flowering at this time is Mammillaria hahniana, the "Old Woman Cactus".
We're having unbelievable May weather this year. It got into the upper 80sF again today, but it should drop into the 70s for tomorrow. Still no rain in the forecast.

Rebutia 'Sunrise' - again

I know...I just posted a photo of this plant not long ago, in April. But it's flowering so prolifically right now that I just couldn't resist posting again. I think the picture says it all!
Oh..and thanks for the anniversary well wishes.

45th Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday, May 4, was our 45th wedding anniversary and we celebrated by...are your ready for this...staying home and mostly doing nothing. Not even answering the phone. And today we're going to follow through with another day of mostly doing nothing. The plants need water, but they're tough, they can do OK for another few days. The grass needs to be mowed. At this time of year it needs to be mowed almost every other day. It'll wait. And so will this blog. Back on Monday!

Mammillaria marksiana "Cabeza de Viejo"

This is a very neat looking mam, with its partial halo of yellow flowers, teasing us with the rest of the flowers yet to come.

Rebutia narvaecensis

This is a nice big-flowered rebutia from Bolivia, Rebutia narvaecensis. We're having an unusually hot early May this year, getting into the upper 80s F today and it looks like we'll be dry and in the upper 70s and lower 80s for the next week or so. As a result all the cactus flowers are coming on like gangbusters. Our hearts go out to our friends in southern Cal where high winds and heat have brought on an early and destructive fire season.

Unnamed Epicactus

 

We don't have a name on this epi; we used to but we lost it. It has a gorgeous, medium sized flower that is hard to describe. So, I guess that's why we have pictures. Enjoy.

Haworthia cooperi var. pilifera MBB6565

Another one of those haworthias which isn't that available is the pilifera variety of H. cooperi. We have a small collection of these, again seed grown, which we highly prize.

Another Epicactus 'Padre' picture

I just posted this a few days ago, but now it's going wild. It's putting on a fantastic show and I had to share.