Vermont is hoping for more in 2012

[fanaticactus]

The very first photos I took this spring I decided to not post, since everything was overgrown with weeds and you couldn't distinguish the cacti clearly. But the one O. polyacantha 'North Dakota' looks like it has really taken hold and promises a nice flush of flowers. I count 9 buds so far and several new pads.

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It's far ahead of the O. humifusa, whose buds are noticeably smaller.

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Granted, this is just a small portion of the humifusa 'sprawl', but it's representative of the whole.

[Harriet]

The blooms will be lovely! Hope you show them to us.

[fanaticactus]

I certainly will, Harriet! That's what life is all about! At least the hobby part of retired life...

[daiv]

I notice the same thing here - the western species are always ahead of the eastern.

[iann]

Opuntias certainly can move when they get in the mood!

[fanaticactus]

I notice the same thing here - the western species are always ahead of the eastern.

That's an interesting observation, daiv. I'm not aware of many other "eastern" species, though, to compare. Would that also include Escobarias, too. Are there any others?

[fanaticactus]

The season's first flower on the O. polyacantha 'North Dakota'. Many more waiting in the wings, judging by the number of buds. Another one opened today. In the first photo, you'll see a seedling of E. reichenbachii--one of several provided by Andy_CT. More of his contibutions coming later.

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BTW, Andy also provided the Opuntia three years ago.

[CoronaCactus]

Great flower, awesome plant!

[Harriet]

That really is a "great flower"!

[Arjen]

very lovely!

[fanaticactus]

Here's some more of my outdoor garden in recent shots. First off, more flowers on the O. polyacantha

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Two heavily rooted E. reichenbachii seedlings grown by Andy_CT

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An Opuntia sp "Little Monk" (likely fragilis hybrid), also from Andy. Note new growth already!

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Two Opuntia sp "Washington" hybrid?

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Another Andy E. reichenbachii seedling with C. imbricata v arborescens in background, courtesy again of Andy from three years ago, and part of the large O. humifusa.

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[Arjen]

it looks even better with 4 flowers

arborescens is the cholla that grows into tree size right?

[fanaticactus]

it looks even better with 4 flowers

arborescens is the cholla that grows into tree size right?

The poly definitely looks more balanced now! As for the cholla, I'm not sure. Maybe Andy will see this and chime in (or anyone who knows cholla). At any rate, I don't think it'll reach tree status where it is now. If it does, that garden will look pretty stupid! Maybe I should transplant it next to one of my pine trees, which is a perfect Christmas-sized example and decorate them both for Christmas. On second thought, I guess decorating a cholla would be equivalent to taking my life in my hands!

[fanaticactus]

it looks even better with 4 flowers

arborescens is the cholla that grows into tree size right?

Soon after I wrote this, Jens, I realized that "arbor..." as a prefix would indicate tree-like, so I do think you are absoutely correct!

These opened yesterday in the heat and strong sun we're having. I wish all the buds had opened at the same time; they all looked the same size. The honeybees are going nuts over these. At one point I counted four of them practically burrowing into--practically swimming through the pollen! I guess O. humifusa pollen is a rare treat for them way up here! I notice that I have two slightly different strains of it: one with the deep orange patterned throat and one that's just solid yellow.

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As always, I apologize for the grass and weeds. I hesitate to stick my fingers in there to weed, even with gloves on!

[daiv]

Catching up on this post. Glad to see it all coming along so nicely. I don't mind the grass and such. I grow outdoor plants out in a field as you know.