14 May 2008
Buds, flowers and fruit
Posted by Stuart under: Cacti .
There’s something of a lull in my greenhouse at present. The Rebutias have just about done their thing for now, and most of the turbs are taking stock and busy preparing their next phase of flowers.
My adult Melocactus is doing a fine job, however, and is popping new fruits and flowers out on an almost daily basis. The cephalium has grown well so far this year, and has produced a decent amount of new wool.
I’ve never flowered a Pterocactus before, so the appearance of this bud is very exciting.
It’s a Pterocactus kuntzei, which shed most of its upper growth just after I received it last year.
Pterocacti are among the most fascinating of the opuntioids, I think - whenever I have had one out of its pot I’m astonished by the sheer bulk of the plant that exists below ground.
I suppose they have a similar appeal to Ariocarpus for me - I’m very keen on things with thick roots!
Last but not least, this is my Escobaria minima, now fully-inflated after its winter rest and growing well.
It’s a reliable little plant and very obliging with blooms.