Bombax Tree Update
The last time you saw the bombax tree (“The Bombax Tree, AKA The Shaving Brush Tree,” May 31, 2013), it had bloomed and had very few leaves. Well, time has passed, rain has come, and the tree looks considerably different. So I thought that you needed to see that it...
Succulents Instead of Annuals
I have been so frustrated with the drought that this year I decided to use succulents in some places where I might have put annuals. The wind, coupled with the lack of moisture, has made it hard the last few years for bedding plants to make a showing in my yard,...
A Late Summer Surprise
I brought several echinocactus home from the Marfa, Texas, area a few summers ago, thinking they were another form of horse crippler. Turns out they are related, but not considered horse cripplers. Several that I have bloomed early in the Spring, and I enjoyed...
Acanthocalycium Thionanthum v. Glaucum
Just thought I would share these little cacti with you. I have three of these little beauties and have enjoyed the yellow flowers in combination with the gray body of the plant. The plant on the left is also acanthocalycium, but a different variety that I have not...
Everyone Needs An Astrophytum Ornatum
I have several varieties of astrophytum and enjoy them all, but the astrophytum ornatum are by far my best bloomers. They begin n the early spring and bloom late into the fall. In fact, I have had them bloom in the greenhouse during the winter on occasion. I do winter...
Cactus Names and Pronunciations
When I first started collecting cactus, I would bring home my little treasures, happily repot them in a dish garden, and, like most people, I suspect, throw away the identification tags, oblivious to the fact that some day I might want to know those sometimes...
I Learned the Secret to Growing Better Cactus
Know what it is? Water them at night. Really. Ready for a biology lesson? Well, botany lesson, to be more precise. Here goes. Pay attention. Woody Minnich, shown here with my friends Hellen Adrian and Sheila Stevenson when we attended the the 2012 Albuquerque cactus...
The Cactus Convention
The 35th Cactus and Succulent Society of America’s biennial convention was held last week at the Sheraton Hotel in Austin, Texas. This is the second one I have attended, and at both I have met interesting people, learned something new about growing cactus, and yes,...
The Cactus Convention
Really. An event made in heaven for cactus lovers. And did you know there is even a cactus society-The Cactus and Succulent Society of America? This group holds a convention every other year and in different cities across the U.S. This year the convention is in...
Pink as Pepto-Bismol in the Cactus Garden
May is the month I always look forward to in terms of cactus flowers. My cold hardy cactus out in the big cactus garden traditionally start to bloom the second week in May. This year with the terrible weather and the late freezes, the echinocereus, commonly called...
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