July 2023 - Desperate in need of water

[Aiko]

Thanking MatDz for the honour of winning the June 2023 photo competition on Icebergs of C&S.

I like the look of plants that have not been pampered too much and have a compact growth. One way to achieve this is to withhold watering. But when you overdo the withholding part, some plants can visually show a high need of water shortage. This could further appeal the look of a plant, next to the compact growth.

So for July 2021 I would like to introduce the topic of plants in a desperate need of water.

Do you have plants that have shriveled way too much, has droopy leaves, shrunk a lot, retracted into the ground? Show them here!
(Of course the plants should still be alive and fully revivable...)

Some examples from my own plants:

Resnova megaphylla - curled up leaves

Monilaria sp. - droopy leaves

Frailea castanea - fully shrunken into the ground

Mammillaria luethyi - fully shrunken into the ground

[MatDz]

Do you have plants that have shriveled way too much, has droopy leaves, shrunk a lot, retracted into the ground? Show them here!
(Of course the plants should still be alive and fully revivable...)

What a great topic! I am just not convinced whether mine would meet the highlighted criterion...

[MikeT]

This first Conophytum bilobum photo was taken in October 2021. It does give a slight impression of wanting a little more water. Perhaps 'desperate' rather than 'slight impression' on further consideration.

Same plant 2 days later. I took pity on it after taking the first photo.

I wasn't so neglectful in 2022:

[Aiko]

Now July is over, it is time to announce the winner of this month.

It is clear the nice Conophytum bilobum of MikeT was in a need of water. I have seen them more desperate of some water than this, but it is always nice to see a plant plump up right after some water.

So, MikeT, over to you for thinking of a topic for August that will encourage a bit more competition!

[Tony R]

So, MikeT, over to you for thinking of a topic for August that will encourage a bit more competition!

P.S. Aiko, your topic was a great topic, it was just that most of us don't have many plants in "desperate need" at this time of the year! Assuming we have done our jobs properly. Many thanks.

[edds]

So, MikeT, over to you for thinking of a topic for August that will encourage a bit more competition!

P.S. Aiko, your topic was a great topic, it was just that most of us don't have many plants in "desperate need" at this time of the year! Assuming we have done our jobs properly. Many thanks.

I agree - I think we need this repeating in spring just before we start watering again!

[MikeT]

Thanks, Aiko

Seems a bit odd to win something for mistreating a plant

Now I need to think a topic for August.