"Fat Plants" : cacti,succulents, caudiciforms, whatever..

[TheOnionMan]

Also new to my garden this summer are forms of an undetermined Delosperma species  from Kirstenbosch, representing two collections of apparently the same species.  It still has a few small magenta flowers.  These are growing in the ground at the base of a trough, slightly raised, in a southerly exposure, I hope that they overwinter.

We've had a number of nights down into the mid 20s F (-4 C) and they continue to flower unfazed.

[krisderaeymaeker]

Also new to my garden this summer are forms of an undetermined Delosperma species  from Kirstenbosch, representing two collections of apparently the same species.  It still has a few small magenta flowers.  These are growing in the ground at the base of a trough, slightly raised, in a southerly exposure, I hope that they overwinter.
We've had a number of nights down into the mid 20s F (-4 C) and they continue to flower unfazed.

Interesting Mark ! I am curious about the result of hardines...

[TheOnionMan]

Also new to my garden this summer are forms of an undetermined Delosperma species  from Kirstenbosch, representing two collections of apparently the same species.  It still has a few small magenta flowers.  These are growing in the ground at the base of a trough, slightly raised, in a southerly exposure, I hope that they overwinter.
We've had a number of nights down into the mid 20s F (-4 C) and they continue to flower unfazed.

Interesting Mark ! I am curious about the result of hardines...

I received a collection of various "hardy" ice plants, this winter will indeed be a test of hardiness. I was told after I planted some in troughs and some in the ground, that they're not as reliably hardy in troughs but should be in the ground.

[krisderaeymaeker]

I received a collection of various "hardy" ice plants, this winter will indeed be a test of hardiness. I was told after I planted some in troughs and some in the ground, that they're not as reliably hardy in troughs but should be in the ground.

This make sense to me Mark but the future decides that it's right or wrong...
 Anyhow I keep interested in the results ,so please let us know ...

[TheOnionMan]

Another one I received is a plant labeled Stomatium patulum (Tiger Jaws Iceplant), with the added note from the sender "likely misnamed".  here's the plant, never flowered all summer, but making pretty good little mounds of opposite "jawed" leaves.  Anyone have an idea about what this plant might be?  I can't find any certifiable photos of Stomatium patulum even as a starting point.  I've never grown Stomatium before, so don't know what to expect, but doing a search reveals some attractive plants.  Someone on another forum suggested this plant looks like Faucaria, maybe F. hooleae?

Picsearch results for Stomatium
http://www.picsearch.com/pictures/plants/garden%20plants/plants%20sk-sy/stomatium.html

Stomatium mustellinum
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/108386/

PS. In the first photo, the potted plant is Talinum (Phemeranthus) 'Zoe', which might look dead from afar, but it is quite alive and well; just went into dormancy mode for the winter.

[cohan]

mark, cool little 'hardies' interesting to see how they do..

darren-- about the mammillarias, i haven't correlated the winter bloomers with altitude, i just checked the one that flowers all winter here--laui subducta--and it is said to be from Tamaulipas, Mexico around 800m

hahniana woodsii also flowers here in late fall, early spring, mostly out of watering season, this one is from Guanajuato, in central Mex, but no altitude listed..

my guess is that these winter flowering species, from spring-fall rainfall areas are either or both: flowering when there is less competition for pollinators, flowering when they can ripen seed by growing season..

i certainly haven't seen all of them, but it seems to me the plants in Eriosyce (neoporteria/neochilenia etc) which flower in winter are more so in the 'Neoporteria' type, flowers with internal petals (if i have that right) closed
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cactushorridus/85027428/
less so in the 'Neochilenia" type flower, which is more open
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cactushorridus/307287699/
(of course that description is simplistic--most species have been in both genera, and several others, all are now in Eriosyce for those that wish it so)
some areas in chile do receive more moisture in winter, but i haven't seen good discussions of how this related to flowering times...

[krisderaeymaeker]

Another one I received is a plant labeled Stomatium patulum (Tiger Jaws Iceplant), with the added note from the sender "likely misnamed".  here's the plant, never flowered all summer, but making pretty good little mounds of opposite "jawed" leaves.  Anyone have an idea about what this plant might be?  I can't find any certifiable photos of Stomatium patulum even as a starting point.  I've never grown Stomatium before, so don't know what to expect, but doing a search reveals some attractive plants.  Someone on another forum suggested this plant looks like Faucaria, maybe F. hooleae?

Have to check it tomorrow Mark. I think I have something like that in my collection...

[cohan]

Another one I received is a plant labeled Stomatium patulum (Tiger Jaws Iceplant), with the added note from the sender "likely misnamed".  here's the plant, never flowered all summer, but making pretty good little mounds of opposite "jawed" leaves.  Anyone have an idea about what this plant might be?  I can't find any certifiable photos of Stomatium patulum even as a starting point.  I've never grown Stomatium before, so don't know what to expect, but doing a search reveals some attractive plants.  Someone on another forum suggested this plant looks like Faucaria, maybe F. hooleae?

Picsearch results for Stomatium
http://www.picsearch.com/pictures/plants/garden%20plants/plants%20sk-sy/stomatium.html

Stomatium mustellinum
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/108386/

PS. In the first photo, the potted plant is Talinum (Phemeranthus) 'Zoe', which might look dead from afar, but it is quite alive and well; just went into dormancy mode for the winter.

a cute one... this is expected to be hardy? i've never heard of Faucaria among the hardier genera.. we'll see what kris comes up with... will you be protecting these unknown mesembs from excess winter wet?

[TheOnionMan]

a cute one... this is expected to be hardy? i've never heard of Faucaria among the hardier genera.. we'll see what kris comes up with... will you be protecting these unknown mesembs from excess winter wet?

All that were sent to me are supposed to be hardy in Colorado, which implies they should be comparatively hardy here... the biggest difference in our climate is levels of moisture.  I shall not be protecting these mesembs from excess winter wet, all I can do is to plant them in very well drained positions, which is what I've done, and situate them in the best possible exposure, and hope for the best.  If they don't make it then cest la vie.

[cohan]

will be interesting to hear in spring how they have done..

[Lesley Cox]

Hans and Kris, thank you for naming my little cactus. Gradually each one will have a label on it.

The second bud shrivelled so remembering the film "The Living Desert" from many, many years ago (was it a Disney film?) I soaked the pot in cool water and next morning, there were three more buds! I remember that film, mostly about the south western USA I think, talked about how, after spring storms, the cactus all came into bloom within a few days of the rains.

[krisderaeymaeker]

Another one I received is a plant labeled Stomatium patulum (Tiger Jaws Iceplant), with the added note from the sender "likely misnamed".  here's the plant, never flowered all summer, but making pretty good little mounds of opposite "jawed" leaves.  Anyone have an idea about what this plant might be?  I can't find any certifiable photos of Stomatium patulum even as a starting point.  I've never grown Stomatium before, so don't know what to expect, but doing a search reveals some attractive plants.  Someone on another forum suggested this plant looks like Faucaria, maybe F. hooleae?

Picsearch results for Stomatium
http://www.picsearch.com/pictures/plants/garden%20plants/plants%20sk-sy/stomatium.html

Stomatium mustellinum
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/108386/

PS. In the first photo, the potted plant is Talinum (Phemeranthus) 'Zoe', which might look dead from afar, but it is quite alive and well; just went into dormancy mode for the winter.

a cute one... this is expected to be hardy? i've never heard of Faucaria among the hardier genera.. we'll see what kris comes up with... will you be protecting these unknown mesembs from excess winter wet?

It must be a Stomatium Mark. Certainly not Faucaria hooleae or another Faucaria. Stomatium is a widely scattered genus and I have two different ones here at home. The first is labelled as Stomatium sp. Animub. The second has no label anymore ,I lost it ...
There is not so many written on this genus. Some years ago I was a member of the South African society wich called "Aloe". Maybe there is something about this genus to find in the older issues.

[TheOnionMan]

It must be a Stomatium Mark. Certainly not Faucaria hooleae or another Faucaria. Stomatium is a widely scattered genus and I have two different ones here at home. The first is labelled as Stomatium sp. Animub. The second has no label anymore ,I lost it ...
There is not so many written on this genus. Some years ago I was a member of the South African society wich called "Aloe". Maybe there is something about this genus to find in the older issues.

Thanks Kris... I'll keep looking towards Stomatium on that one.  I got this and other mesembs from Panayoti Kelaidis, I'll check in with him to see if there's been any determination on which Stomatium it may be.

[TheOnionMan]

Yet another mesemb that I received is Delosperma 'White Nugget', apparently a sport of D. basuticum.  It didn't flower this summer, but bulked up a little bit.  It is taking on some cold weather foliage coloration right now, I hope it survives the winter.

[Carlo]

Mark,

It appears we were part of the same distribution--and that my plants are acting about the same as yours. I have encountered some herbivore damage. Apparently the munchers around here are not afraid to experiment with cuisine from another continent. A couple of the smaller plants I've lost entirely, others were merely set back, the balance not really touched at all. There is no apparent rhyme or reason to the depredations.

The real test, as with yours, is our upcoming winter (and that IS why the plants are being tested).

Buona fortuna a tutti!