Lophocereus schottii monstrose "Totem Pole"

One thing almost all visitors comment on when here in Portland is that everything is so green. If you've seen the TV program "Grimm" (filmed here in Portland) you know what we mean. Even the trees are covered in moss green. So I suppose that these Totem Poles are still getting over the shock of blending in so well with the background. Natives of Baja, things are a little drier there. But they adapt well, at least during the warmer days of summer. During our wet and gray winters, they're in the greenhouse and are kept away from the water. We kept three in an unheated shelter last winter and they came through fine...but it was a mild winter.

Euphorbia lactea crested variegate graft

The colors on these can be quite variable. This one has some of the most outstanding reds I've ever seen. These are always grafted, as the lack of chlorophyll inevitably would lead to an early death if grown on their own roots. The multicolored part on top is called the "scion" and the green section it's grafted onto is called the "stock". This one seems to be grafted onto adequate stock, but the problem with some of these popular grafts is that the stock isn't adequate for the scion as it grows to a mature plant. At that point it sometimes needs to be re-grafted.

Pleiospilos simulans

Lynn-Marie caught this late afternoon photo of Pleiospilos simulans in flower.

Hoya kerrii (pubescent leaf)

This is one of the hoyas we've had in our collection for many years and highly prize. In this fairly rare version of Hoya kerrii the leaves are large and heart-shaped, like the other versions, but they are also pubescent (fuzzy or hairy). The flowers are outstanding, but - as in the older flower on the right - they will drip a caramel smelling and sticky "sap" on whatever is below it. So...don't hang it over something you don't want it to drip on. This is a common characteristic of hoyas, which some people find annoying. In my opinion, though, it shouldn't keep you from having these wonderful plants in your home.

Echeveria runyonii 'Topsy-Turvy'

A new photo of another plant I've posted plenty of times. It's the widely distributed and very easy to grow 'Topsy-Turvy'. Named by former Huntington Botanic Garden Director Myron Kimnack, it is widely used as a landscaping plant in Southern California and, given decent drainage, is hardy to about 25 F.

Nothing to Post...

I don't have anything to post tonight. Or, another way to put it, I'm too tired to find something to post. If you're coming to the picnic, I'll see you there. Otherwise...goodnight!

Echeveria pulvinata 'Frosty'

This is the other 'Frosty', and it's pretty obvious why. Like the other 'Frosty', it's a natural form which has been propagated and circulated in the nursery trade. The frosty appellation was first applied to the other "frosty", so this one is - technically - the imposter. Confused? Yes, this kind of confusion isn't supposed to happen, but it does. Sometimes it's called 'Suave' to avoid the confusion, but this doesn't seem to have caught on. Maybe we should just take to calling it Frosty II, or...the other 'Frosty'!

Echeveria leucotricha 'Frosty'

Lynn-Marie's been propagating this plant for a couple of years and we finally have enough to add it to our nursery list. They're what I call "fun" plants. They brighten up the room.

Off to the Oregon State Fair tomorrow....  Actually, I think it's already tomorrow...err, today!