Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: alpines on May 27, 2011, 04:00:01 PM

Title: Unknown Cactus
Post by: alpines on May 27, 2011, 04:00:01 PM
I would appreciate any help in identifying this plant. It is hardy in Zone 6, flowers early May, one flower per barrel. Barrel is 3 inches high and the flower is 2 inches across.
Thank you
Alan
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: christian pfalz on May 27, 2011, 04:12:54 PM
hello alan,
it looks like a echinocereus reichenbachii form, also hard here in germany.
cheers
chris
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: alpines on May 27, 2011, 05:25:38 PM
Thanks Chris,
I picked this up at a local plant sale three years ago and it wasn't labeled. It flowered this year for the first time.
Appreciate your input.
Cheers
Alan
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: Lesley Cox on May 29, 2011, 10:23:26 PM
What a litrtle beauty. I'm almost getting interested in cacti, having had 6 of my supermarket 7 flower for me. ;D
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: alpines on May 31, 2011, 09:57:47 PM
Chris, Lesley,

I have actually had this identified as Echinocereus reichenbachii v. albispinus. by the guy I bought it from at the plant sale. It is a native of Oklahoma.
Can't praise this enough. As well as being winter hardy, and we have had one of the longest, hardest winters for years here in KY, this plant does not require (well, it doesn't get) overhead protection from the rain.

I don't know if it will set viable seed but I'll keep a look out.
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: Maren on June 01, 2011, 12:15:25 AM
That is lovely. I keep quite a few cacti but none outdoors and would love to try. Where does one get these? There are none in the UK. Maybe in Germany?
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: ThomasB on June 01, 2011, 07:09:51 AM
Hello Maren,

I've seen hardy cactus offered by several shops here in Germany. Just one example is Kakteen-Haage (http://www.kakteen-haage.de/shop/pflanzen/winterharte-kakteen/), europes oldest cactus nursery at my home town. Have a look but unfortunately there are just a few pics online.
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: christian pfalz on June 01, 2011, 08:48:49 AM
hello,
some pics from my outdoor collection...
echinocereus triglochidiatus
(http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt188/yuccajoe/garten%201/xsder009.jpg?t=1306914260)
echinocereus pectinatus red form
(http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt188/yuccajoe/garten%201/vfcg001.jpg?t=1306914355)
another echinocereus
(http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt188/yuccajoe/garten%201/cxdx005.jpg?t=1306914384)
escobaria minima
(http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt188/yuccajoe/garten%201/cxdx007.jpg?t=1306914421)
here on an yucca strunk...
(http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt188/yuccajoe/garten%201/cxdx008.jpg?t=1306914469)
and the last one...
(http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt188/yuccajoe/garten%201/vvvc001.jpg?t=1306914497)
cheers
chris
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: alpines on June 01, 2011, 11:30:05 AM
Great photos of exquisite plants. Definitely on my 'wants list'. Thanks for sharing Chris.
What is the name of the pink flowered plant in photo 4?
Thanks
Alan
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: alpines on June 01, 2011, 11:32:20 AM
Ooops. My mistake. I see it is Escobaria minima.
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: christian pfalz on June 01, 2011, 12:19:15 PM
 ;)
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: JohnLonsdale on June 01, 2011, 12:35:24 PM
Hi Alan,

To purchase more hardy cacti within North America, look at Roger Barlow's Beaver Creek Greenhouses offerings (he's in BC) or Steven Brack's at Mesa Garden in NM.  Both have incredible cacti.  Rogers are potted, Steven ships them completely bare root, quality and prices are excellent.  I'm growing around 200 hardy cacti, mainly from these 2 sources.  They are spectacular right now.

Best,

J.
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: Maggi Young on June 01, 2011, 12:38:19 PM
Hi Alan,

To purchase more hardy cacti within North America, look at Roger Barlow's Beaver Creek Greenhouses offerings (he's in BC) or Steven Brack's at Mesa Garden in NM.  Both have incredible cacti.  Rogers are potted, Steven ships them completely bare root, quality and prices are excellent.  I'm growing around 200 hardy cacti, mainly from these 2 sources.  They are spectacular right now.

Best,

J.

We'd love to see photos, John....... :D
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: JohnLonsdale on June 01, 2011, 12:59:54 PM
Hi Alan,

To purchase more hardy cacti within North America, look at Roger Barlow's Beaver Creek Greenhouses offerings (he's in BC) or Steven Brack's at Mesa Garden in NM.  Both have incredible cacti.  Rogers are potted, Steven ships them completely bare root, quality and prices are excellent.  I'm growing around 200 hardy cacti, mainly from these 2 sources.  They are spectacular right now.

Best,

J.



We'd love to see photos, John....... :D

There are a few here - http://www.edgewoodgardens.net/Plants_album/The%20Plants%20-%20%20Complete%20Collection/Cactaceae/index.html

Lots more to follow when I get chance to process and upload them.  The flowers are amazing but like cyclamen they are worth growing for the 'leaves' alone.  The form and shape of the plants and the patterns and colors of the spines are remarkable all year round.
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: alpines on June 01, 2011, 01:27:18 PM
Thanks for that John. I'd never dreamed of growing cacti....until this spring......but seems like I have the climate for some of the cold hardy beauties.
Great to hear from you again. Don't know where I can get a decent pint on this side of the pond do you?  :)
Cheers
Alan
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: JohnLonsdale on June 01, 2011, 03:12:11 PM
Hey Alan,

Beware, the cacti are very addictive!

Not for sale by the pint, but look out for Russian River Consecration Ale. 

If you want to try an objective selection of quality microbrewed beers from around the USA consider joining the Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club.  3 bottles each of 4 different brews, two from each of 2 breweries, delivered to your door each month for about $35.  Over the past couple of years I've found some real treasures.

Best,

J.
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: Maren on June 01, 2011, 03:50:03 PM
Christian,
that's a beautiful collection of cacti. Very inspiring. Do you cover them in the winter to keep the rain off?
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: alpines on June 01, 2011, 04:18:47 PM
Hey Alan,

Beware, the cacti are very addictive!



I was just thinking that when I looked at the Beaver Creek catalog, John. Hadn't realized there were so many cold hardy species that would survive here in KY.
Now where did Sherba hide the check book ???
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: christian pfalz on June 01, 2011, 06:13:58 PM
maren,
no rain protection over the cacti, only the agaves will be covered....
cheers
chris
Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: Panu on June 01, 2011, 07:48:10 PM
I planted Escobaria vivipara var. vivipara last year and didnīt cover it. It is not blooming, but alive and well. A snapshot few minutes back.

Title: Re: Unknown Cactus
Post by: alpines on June 01, 2011, 08:46:46 PM
Looks healthy Panu.
I have been doing some research on the cold hardy cacti and it appears that provided the planting medium is free draining, many of them will withstand the winter rain.
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