Cactus 146

Cactus 146
Originally uploaded by azcritter.

Another cactus that I picked up along the way home from work one day that did not have a name on it. Over time it did quite well afternoon AZ sun. However it was not able to handle the bazzar winter weather we have.  Where one day it is 65° and the next day it drops to 45°.

Cactus 148

Cactus 148
Originally uploaded by azcritter.

Cactus 149

Cactus 149
Originally uploaded by azcritter.

Cactus 151

Cactus 151
Originally uploaded by azcritter.

I don't know the name of this cactus. For two days this flower was open and then gone.

Agave Twin Flowered (geminiflora)

Agave Twin Flowered
Originally uploaded by azcritter.

This is a hardy little plant that requires little water. The species name geminiflora comes from the Latin for "twin flowered", and refers to the fact the flowers are grouped 2 per bracts, along the spike. The mature rosettes bear a narrow 8 to 12 feet tall spike carrying yellow flowers with a hint of red. I haven't seen any flowers on one of this size, but will take a picture when it blooms.

Agave Americana Variegata

Agave Americana Variegata
Originally uploaded by azcritter.

This cactus is small at the time of planting. When the plant matures it will bloom (15 years old) and the flower stalk will measure from 15 to 40 feet with a width of 3 inches. The plant then dies leaving suckers that grow into replacement plants.

Callistemon 'Little John'

Callistemon 'Little John'
Originally uploaded by azcritter.

Of the family Myrtaceae from Australia, it is well known as Dwarf Callistemon or Dwarf Bottlebrush. An evergreen shrub which is great for attracting hummingbirds.

Water/Size Guide

Plant Common Name	Watering	Size
Lantana	Infrequent and deep	3’ width x 7’ height
Ice Plant	Little	2’ width x 3’ height
Beargrass	Little to none once established	5’ height with flowering stalks to 8 feet
Deer Grass	Moderate to little	3’ height and 5’ when in bloom
Muhly Grass	Moderate to little	4’ height
Autumn Sage	Moderate to little	4’ width x 3’ height
Creosote Bush	Natural rainfall; some supplemental while establishing	3’ to 10’ in width and 6’ to 8’ in height based on amount of water
Organ Pipe	Little water when established	5’ to 12’ height, multi stemmed 9” in diameter
Golden Torch	Moderate water	7’ height, multi stemmed 2” in diameter
Desert Spoon	Natural rainfall; some supplemental while establishing. Extra water accelerates growth	6” equal spread with center stalk of 6” to 15”

Organ Pipe Cactus (Stenocereus thurberi)

Organ Pipe Cactus
Originally uploaded by azcritter.

So I am starting out with one stem and a height of 2 feet when planted. As the plant matures it will not branch out, but will extend from the tip, and each season's growth will be marked by a constriction of the stem. Flowering annually, with large white blooms that open at night and close the next day. The flowers are pollinated mainly by bats and so I will plant this in an area where there would not be much human traffic.

Sulcorebutia langeri

I may not have this identified correctly - but for now it is the best I could find. The flowers on this little cactus are absolutely brilliant. If I tagged it correctly, it actually will need to be water from March until September.

It will take full sun exposure, but needs light shade in Phoenix, Arizona.

I will continue to search for one of these in the local nurserys to see if I can find/validate the name on this plant.

Golden Torch

This catus is native to Western Argentina, Bolivia. For now this cactus is small, about 2 feet in height, but over time it will grow multipal columns branching, 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter and around 7 feet tall.

Substantial amount of rain after 148 days

In Peoria Arizona we have not seen rain in over 148 days and todays rain is substantial
It's great and I love the smell of the desert when it rains, but this is not good for my cactus. The landscaper does not start on the yard unti the 13th of March and the plants will not go into the ground for at least another weeks and until then the plants will stay in the pots. The amount of rain they have gotten is substantial. We have been wtering the plants about every two or three weeks depening on the type of plant, but in one day they are getting more water then they have gotten in the entire time I 've had them.

Bishop's Miter, Bishop's Cap

At first sight I thought this was a cool looking cactus. However research has indicated that when this guy grows to full size - I may not like the way it looks. This plant is from the highlands of central and northern Mexico. It is a columnar cactus that will grow horzontialy along the ground up to 2 feet and 8 inches in diameter. It could take up to 6 years before it will produce a flower.
Picture 1: The one I purchased January 2006
Picture 2: After 6 years showing flower
Picture 3: Full grown

(Pictures 2 & 3 are from Gardening in Arizona, a great source for cactus information)

Cereus peruvianus

This is a strange looking cactus

but I like it

The nursery where I purchased it

called it 'Cereus Monstrous'

I have not been able to find information under that name, but did find some resemblance to Cereus peruvianus

"Night Blooming Cereus - Peruvian Apple"

So for now I'll take that, but will have to find out for certain before planting it.