CactusChris's plants flowering today

[CactusChris]

Hi Maria,
I was about to give up on this thread for lack of interest!
Yes -it is an amazing plant - mine is about 10 years old and could be bigger if I repotted a bit faster. It grows on rocks and is actually a 'lignotuber' - i.e. a woody caudex. The branches will be covered in flowers in the spring. I will root some bits up but in the past they have not really sold so i have given up propagating it.
Best regards

Chris

[Maria J]

Hmmm, well next time I receive your list, I'll try to remember to get it.
(Trouble is I'll probably forget the name & not realise what it is when I do see it!!) ;-)

PS I never get bored or lose interest in seeing other people's pictures, so keep on posting!

[iann]

Interesting! I got a Bijlia cana this year and I'd been wondering when it might flower. Much shorter leaves than this plant but I think they behave much the same.

[CactusChris]

And another nice aloe flowering now - for those who bemoan a collection that is dormant during winter look no further than the winter flowering aloes for insiration - this if I recollect the name correctly (never certain as I bury labels and so seldom access them) Aloe schelpei

[IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p182 ... helpei.jpg[/IMG]



Post Edited (12-21-06 13:41)

[Guest]

On the caudex discussion I also grow a couple of Brachychitons (Australian bottle trees) which are similar but, of course, without flower. I also picked up a similar looking Ficus in a sale at Marks and Sparks! I grow them all in bonsai pots and very handsome they look too.

[CactusChris]

Hi Mike,
Agapetes differs in being essentially a spreading shrub, it produces long wands of thinner stems under which the flowers form in neat rows. The species you mention are much more tidy in their growth and certainly much more suitable for bonsai.
Best regards

chris

[Guest]

Indeed Chris. It was just the similarity of the caudex that struck me. I certainly like the Agapetes and must look out for one.

Incidentally, the Ficus is Ficus retusa also known as the pot bellied fig. There are some excellent pictures of them on:-

www.collectorscorner.com.au/Bonsai/Ficus%20Retusa.htm

Mike.

[Süleyman]

Hi, they are very pretty.

[CactusChris]

This one opened for Christmas day - Odontophorus nanus

[IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p182 ... 722066.jpg[/IMG]

[iann]

Another nice one for the depth of winter. How old is the Odontophorus, Chris?