Much has been spoken on the main part of this forum regarding frost damage this year, and the name Cumulopuntia has come up a couple of times, below in photo 1 is one of four Cumulopuntia zehnderi which did not take kindly to -7.4c, whereas in photo two the plant is again C. zehnderi but this time the form known as C zehnderi fma alboareolata. Apart from the white areoles the name implies and the spines are much more curved and the segments slightly larger the two plants were very very similar, and as far as I can find grow in similar places and altitude .
These two plants were next to each other on the same shelf in the same greenhouse for the same length of time.
Working on the assumption it was only air frost, and the compost in the pot did not freeze. I am pruning the 35 affected plants down to the bottom two segments and they seem to be ok , even if they are looking like I have just bought a batch of rooted cuttings.
Tephrocactus do not seem to have been affected in the same way
What's in a name, Life or death apparently
- RayW
- Registered Guest
- Posts: 216
- https://www.behance.net/kuchnie-warszawa
- Joined: 14 Dec 2022
- Branch: None
- Country: England
- Role within the BCSS: Member
What's in a name, Life or death apparently
Ray Woodbridge
Cacti only collection mainly grown from seed.
BCSS member 50155
Cacti only collection mainly grown from seed.
BCSS member 50155
- Mike P
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 2815
- Joined: 26 Nov 2007
- Branch: BROMLEY
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Branch Secretary
- Location: Forest Hill
Re: What's in a name, Life or death apparently
This bears out my experience where I lost a couple of Cumulopuntia whilst Maihueniopsis and Tephrocacti came through unscathed. Likewise -7 0c in the greenhouses.
Mike
Secretary Bromley Branch
Secretary Bromley Branch