Mammillaria sempervivi

Lynn-Marie snapped this picture of a Mammillaria sempervivi in flower. This is an older plant with lots of wool on the top. I told you I'm a sucker for woolly plants. I especially like M. sempervivi because of the delicate flowers which are just right for the woolly apex are followed later by outlandish red seedpods. (The second picture is one I took earlier of a different and younger plant.)

Graptopetalum bellum (AKA Tacitus bellus)

We've always known this as Tacitus bellus but it appears the name Graptopetalum bellum is winning out. It's too bad; I really like the former name much better. No scientific reason...just like it! Tacitus is a monotypic genus, with bellus as it's only species. It differs from the other Graptopetalum by its large flowers that have lips around the carpels. O well, the lumpers appear to have won again!

Sinningia cardinalis

These have very large green leaves, not nearly as fuzzy as S. leuchotricha. They go dormant in the winter and come back strong in the Spring. The caudex can reach 30 cm. in diameter. Needs rich soil with good drainage, bright light when growing. They're native to Brazil.

Lithops terricolor C134

Another Lithops being added to our list is Lithops terricolor C134. Getting kind of crowded here, but they don't seem to mind.

Mammillaria bocasana 'Fred'

We've always liked Fred. Ever since we got our first one many years ago from Lazlo at Desert Nursery in Deming, New Mexico. The parent plant is totally lost in its fascinating monstrous growth.

Enjoy your plants.

OCSS meeting

Our monthly meeting of the Oregon Cactus & Succulent Society was held last Thursday and the program was about the International Succulent Introductions (ISI), using their 50th anniversary CD with the digital projector. We also discussed plans for the upcoming events: Show and Sale at the Division Street Portland Nursery, June 18-20; Presentation by yours truly ("Growing Outstanding Succulent Plants") at the Stark Street Portland Nursery, 1 pm, July 11; Show and Sale at the Stark Street Portland Nursery, July 16-18.

Eriosyce taltalensis ssp. echinus var. floccosa (AKA Neoporteria floccosa)

Sometimes I miss the simplicity of the old name; the new name becomes a bit of a mouth full. Quickly snapped this shot today as it's quite impressive.

We keep this cactus - along with most of our cacti - very dry during the winter. As it tends to be a bit rot prone, it needs excellent drainage, but we don't give it anything different than we use with all our cacti as our potting mix has excellent porosity.

Lithops hookeri ssp. marginata

It's been a while since I've posted any Lithops, so here goes. This is a new addition to our nursery plant list, Lithops hookeri ssp. marginata. The flowers are yellow.