Vic wrote:

> My Yuccas in the front garden are coming into flower for the
> first time:

Those are very handsome and healthy looking Yuccas, Vic.

James

My first attempt at growing Frailea from seed -- F. castanea seedlings -- seed from one fruit sown April, 2006:

[img]http://jp29.org/frcast06.JPG[/img]

James

MikeT wrote: > James > > Can't help with the ID, but I'm impressed with the open > flowers. I've only ever had buds that set seed without opening, > which is fairly common with this genus in UK conditions. > > Mike T, Sheffield Thanks for the input, Mike. I can only attribute the ready flower openin...

CactusChris wrote: > Hi James, > I'm no expert but could it be knippeliana ??? > > or maybe not eh... > > > Best regards > > Chris Thanks for that input, Chris. I think the photo/description of F. knippeliana here .......... .......... compares well with my plant. Actually I have a (relatively ) lar...

iann wrote: > You might find this gallery of, I think, every species helpful. > Thanks for that great link, Iann. According to the taxonomy & photos there, my plant has a likely fit in the following species/varieties: F. pygmaea var. aurea F. pygmaea var. aureispina Less likely, IMO (but as I sa...

[img]http://jp29.org/frcast05.JPG[/img]

I am pretty new to this genus. The species on the right is easy -- F. castanea (asterioides) but I don't know the name of the miniature on the left. Help appreciated.

James

AmberUK wrote: > .......... Was the original damage scorch.......... IMHO it was, Amber. In my experience this often begins to appear at this time of year in the northern hemisphere -- the softer epidermis on the side of south facing stems is now being exposed to relatively strong rays as the sun si...

NickT wrote:

> Ah, just like home eh James


How true, Nick -- Burnley on a nice winter day -- minus the snow!

It is very hard to get a photo of a Hummingbird in flight -- they dart and flit about so much .......... [img]http://jp29.org/hb02.JPG[/img] It is harder yet to get a photo of one on a nest .......... [img]http://jp29.org/hb01.JPG[/img] and especially one feeding its young (in an ironwood tree) .......

Monstrous flower on monstrous Saguaro:

[img]http://jp29.org/sagfl19.JPG[/img]

[img]http://jp29.org/sagfl15.JPG[/img]