Post your ugliest cactus

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gerald
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Post your ugliest cactus

Post by gerald »

There are many beautiful plants in collections but lurking in the corners surely there must be the odd monster that would win 0/10 at a show but nevertheless is loved by the owner regardless. I have a Copiapoa humilis that has just been reunited with me after about 30 years, it's the sole survivor from the collection I had when a boy, and as you can see it's been through some tough times, and under my care is now showing signs of growth. I think think it's indestructible and I hope it will be with me for another 30 years:
ugly 1.JPG
ugly 2.JPG
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iann
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Re: Post your ugliest cactus

Post by iann »

I just can't compete with that! My ugliest cactus could be a supermodel compared to yours :lol:
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Phil_SK
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Re: Post your ugliest cactus

Post by Phil_SK »

I was hoping you'd get loads of responses to this. Perhaps everybody but you and me are growing only immaculate plants. I know I could probably provide a top 20 if needed. Ugly plants do have a certain beauty, though, not least when they flower. My rather scarred Lobivia maximiliana 'charazanensis' is blooming today, distracting from its battered appearance.
IMG_1442c.jpg
Phil Crewe, BCSS 38143. Mostly S. American cacti, esp. Lobivia, Sulcorebutia and little Opuntia
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majcka
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Re: Post your ugliest cactus

Post by majcka »

I think I even had one:
Gymnocalycium gibbosum var. nobile
Gymnocalycium gibbosum var. nobile
Gymnocalycium gibbosum var nobile.jpg (87.15 KiB) Viewed 2907 times
It was dead who knows how long and nobody even realise that. :bangh:
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Peter A
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Re: Post your ugliest cactus

Post by Peter A »

I can't really compete. and it seems a little unfair to the plant to post this one as it's rather young... but....
ASIArio kotschoubeyanus seedling perhaps 1.jpg
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Phil_SK
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Re: Post your ugliest cactus

Post by Phil_SK »

Ugly babies sometimes grow up into handsome things.
I bough this Copiapoa cinerea ssp columna-alba mainly for its odd looks. The year after I bought it, it began the first of two eruptions, 'turning inside out'.
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It's taken a while, but it's now starting to look a more presentable plant.
IMG_1467.JPG
Perhaps I'm using my imagination a bit too much but the larger hear looks a bit flatter along one axis than the other.
IMG_1468.JPG
So it's not always compost heap or major surgery.
Phil Crewe, BCSS 38143. Mostly S. American cacti, esp. Lobivia, Sulcorebutia and little Opuntia
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Re: Post your ugliest cactus

Post by Liz M »

This is mine, an unspecified Echinopsis. It comes into bud regularly every year and when it flowers it is spectacular. However, it is prey to RSM and although it recovers every year, with new healthy growth, it always ends up looking like this. Last year, there were loads of buds but no flowers, definitely due to the miserable summer and lack of sun and heat.
IMG_7664.10001.jpg
Obsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
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Tony R
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Re: Post your ugliest cactus

Post by Tony R »

I've got plants like that, Liz, some old Notocacti spring to mind, but this summer I've vowed to take all such plants to the local tip ('recycling centre') - so ugly cacti no more! It's the only way I can make room for the ever growing Gasteria collection, particularly now that they have all been repotted. :smile:
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Lithos
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Re: Post your ugliest cactus

Post by Lithos »

Found this Geohintonia mexicana at an antique fair in Buxton - well preserved, but some may say ugly
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Re: Post your ugliest cactus

Post by Ross M »

What colour are the flowers? :razz:
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