Of course the cholla and prickly-pears will be much larger in over all mass, that could be one for a future post.;0)
Echinocactus polycephalus.
"covered in the winter with clear plastic" See older posts.
"covered in the winter with clear plastic" See older posts.
A very difficult cactus to obtain. The are protected in the wild and should be. The are slow growing, and from what I read, they are about twenty years from seed to flower. So it would be very rare to see them grown commercially, even though I think it would be awesome! I have grown them from seed, but lost them before they got to any size. I believe I let them get too dry. Younger plants seem to need much more water than older plants. As a matter of fact this plant need very good drainage and protection from winter wet. Over watering is a sure way of death for this one.
PS. I bought mine from a nursery that received it from a legal salvage operation, and yes it was shipped with the tags.
And some agave from my yard for blog post filler.
Agave parryi
Agave utahensis x neomexicana
Agave parryi
Agave neomexicana
Agave havardiana
And the next four are all
Agave palmeri
All covered and all made it through their first winter.
PS. I lost my Agave utahensis var kaibabensis.
Looked fine after winter, but later died. It was not covered.
I will be curious to hear how the Echinocactus does over time: I know they grow Ferocactus in Salt Lake City--but cover them with plastic tents in the winter--I think winter wetness would kill this one too. I've admired it all over the mountains of southern California, Nevada and Arizona--wish it were available more!
ReplyDeleteYes, you are so right! They need to be covered with plastic here as well. I meant to post that and yes I will edit it in there.
ReplyDeleteMine have endured many a cold winter here and seem to be fine with very good drainage and covered. I am not sure if LaMar (Plantasia Cactus Gardens)covers his every winter or not? They are too hard to get for me to risk a trial with.
PS I have also had a big ferocactus live through winters here with a cover, but broke one winter during heavy snow. and later died. I have tried many times here with others and with no luck.