Ariocarpus season?

[iann]

A. kotschoubeyanus isn't one I'd expect to be flowering now.

[ralphrmartin]

Autumn already?

[Eric Williams]

Very nice looking plants. How long from seed to flower Ian ? Cheers

[Terry S.]

I do not know that much about the distribution of Ariocarpus forms in the wild but this white form of A.kotschubeyanus does seem a good subspecies even though flower colour is not usually particularly significant in taxonomy. It does have this propensity for the occasional early flower; the plants easily form small clusters with perhaps half a dozen heads on a 6cm diameter plant; and I seem to remember that it grows on rocky hillsides rather than the baked mud flats that are the usual habitat for the species.

[iann]

A few months short of six years from sowing to flowering.

[jfabiao]

Wonderful plants, very nice for 6 years worth of growth. Over here they're still pushing out last year's fruits, no sign of buds.

[Eric Williams]

Nice one Iann, relatively quick for the genus. My seedlings started to flower around ten years from seed. I m hoping that the younger ones in Tesco finest type compost, will flower sooner as they are getting watered more frequently as I know they will drain quicker. Cheers. ps wonder if plants are growing outside in Portugal ?

[sechjoh]

Odd with a flower now, but I like it

[rreynolds]

Those are lovely plants, Iann. I had an Ariocarpus bloom on New Years Day a few years ago. I don't think it was a kotsch though.

[jfabiao]

There must be something strange at work this year. These two decided to join iann's plant protest against set calendars (Ariocarpus bravoanus subsp. hintonii on the left).
Could these be dormant buds from last year, not well developed enough to abort but enough to resume when the season started?