Tephrocactus articulatis in bloom

Posted: December 13, 2012 in Desert gardening, Plants
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OK, so this plant is a trip.  It came to me several years ago from my Partner, who had previously kept it with him as he moved from different places in Southern California and in the Inland Empire.  He obtained it from his best friend, Nancy, who bought it from a yard-sale in Highland AGES AGO.  He said he gave it to me because: “You like funky, bizarre & ugly plants.”

Hmmm….I tried not to take that personally!

To the best of any of our knowledges, it has never bloomed for any of us before now.  After long and tedious web-searching, I have come to find this plant is some type of Tephrocactus articulatis (subfamily: Opuntioideae).  These species come from high elevations in the Andes mountains and are generally very frost resistant.  Without the bloom, it has always just looked like strange half-dead, phallic alien pods!  At any rate, I thought it deserved a spot here in the blog.

Tephrocactus articulatis among my specimens

Tephrocactus articulatis

Tephrocactus articulatis

Tillandsias in bloom

Posted: December 11, 2012 in Bromeliaholic, Plants
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Tillandsia recurvifolia is an attractive small plant suited to sunny, semi-dry locations with short stout silvery grey leaves forming a compact rosette, well covered with silver scales.  It is native to Bolivia and Brazil.  I was very happy to see it start blooming this last weekend and decided to snap a few pics of it today.  I guess it likes its bright spot in my master bathroom window!

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Tillandsia are members of the subfamily Tillandsioideae and of the entire bromeliad family comprise the largest number of species and cover the widest range of territory.  Identified species presently number in excess of 650 and new varieties are being discovered each year.  They are found throughout South America from Argentina to Venezuela and Columbia & in Central America from Panama to Mexico and the West Indies.

I am currently building up my collection of Tillandsias very gradually here in the Desert.  When I lived in Los Angeles (before 2003) I had been given many unusual species from a Brom collector who was the housemate of a person I was dating.  When I first saw his collection of Bromeliads, I nearly lost my mind!!  Rows and rows containing many species and large growing varieties of Aechmea, Portea, Billbergia and Neoregelia—just MAGNIFICENT!!  Hanging proudly above them all under shade-cloth canopies were a massive amount of bizarre looking colonies of Tillandsias.

The humidity in L.A. is great for most Tillandsias and I never had a problem growing them there.  Here in D.H.S. I have had to research which plants will adapt to life with very little humidity in the air.  Tillandsias are probably the most fascinating group in the entire plant kingdom.  Commonly known as ‘air plants’, they take in moisture and nutrients through their leaves.  They have relatively small root systems, just enough to secure them to their support, such as tree branches or rocks.  I have been trying to stick with “Tillys” from hot, dry regions which usually have greyish, green or reddish foliage, and are covered with a silvery scale that are called tricomes.  Though, sometimes I cannot resist the allure of the soft, green leafed varieties that are usually found in the natural habitat, high in the tree tops of humid wet rain-forests.  Luckily, Tillandsias are very adaptive to their surroundings and with regular weekly soakings (submerging plants completely for several hours during the day) followed by a thorough drying out period before putting them back in the bright growing locations, mine have been doing very well.Image

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Tillandsia x”Eric Knobloch” in bloomImage

Detail of T. recurvifolias bright salmon-pink bracts and white flowers

Detail of T. recurvifolias bright salmon-pink bracts and white flowers

Billbergia ‘Casablanca’

Posted: December 10, 2012 in Bromeliaholic, Plants
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Billbergia ‘Casablanca’ is a cross of Billbergia ‘Caramba’ & B. ‘Afterglow’. It was bred by Bob Spivey.  I have just a few Billbergia in my collection, but this particular plant has the most noteworthy foliage of them all.  It has olive-green strap-like leaves which grow in narrow upright vase form covered in white spots (mottling) with overall pink cast.  This plant has just started blooming and honestly shocked me when I saw the brilliant colors of the flowers and bracts.  I thought the leaves of Casablanca were spectacular—so the bloom is just gravy as far as I’m concerned!  Hardy to zone 10, I’ve been growing this plant in my back yard under a large Queen palm and tucked together with a few other Broms and a large Aloe.  I know Billbergia prefer bright light of filtered sun–full sun in some humid climates.  This plant seems to be handling the colder Desert nights quite well.  Our cold nights here was one concern I had for buying too many Billbergia and other tropical Broms right off the bat.  As long it is protected from frost I have the feeling it will make it through the winter just fine (it is Dec 10 today).

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ImageBillbergias are native to eastern Brazil, Mexico and Central America for the most part, but have also been found in Peru and Argentina.  They are epiphytes and in their natural habitat and found usually in large clumps growing in good light.  Some plants do fall from their high perches and grow very well in the ground, adapting to a terrestrial habit without any difficulty.

One thing about Billbergias I have noted is that their blooms don’t often last as long as other Bromeliads such as Aechmeas, Dyckias or Hechtias.  The color combos are often very remarkable, though!  Since the flowers are only around for a short while–Don’t forget to snap some pics before they are gone! 😉

I bought this plant as a clump from shirleygk a Bromeliad Seller on eBay.  Her store’s name is “The Nature Collection”.  Shirley has many gorgeous healthy plants for sale year round and many are hard to find exotic species.

I will be buying many more plants from her in the future!

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Yucca thompsoniana in bloom

Posted: November 27, 2012 in Plants
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Though this is not one of my prized Bromeliads, I am quite fond of many Yucca varieties (as well as Agave, Aloe & Cacti).  Since my Yucca Thompsoniana (Thompson’a Yucca) is so stunning right now with her elaborate blooms, I thought I would share some pics here.

Yucca Thompsoniana in bloom

Y. Thompsoniana blooming

This Yucca is one of my favorites as the leaves are more flowing and less rigid than that of Joshua Tree’s or Y. rostrata.  It is an attractive desert gray/green color.  Y. Thompsoniana looks a lot like Y. rostrata but it grows further North, mostly in Western Texas and usually on limestone hills and high elevations between 900-1800m.  I bought this plant 10 years ago from Moller’s Garden Center in Palm Desert, CA.  I had it in the ground at my last house in Palm Springs for many years. When I sold that house and bought our new house in Desert Hot Springs, I couldn’t bear to leave it behind—mostly because it cost nearly $600.00!!!  I have read from many sources that Yuccas DO NOT like to be transplanted.  Most actually fair better grown from rosette clippings with a fair amount of trunk material to stick in some soil after the cut wound has healed over.  This one seemed to handle the move alright, initially–It is currently potted in a large wooden barrel planter. But, I think after this bloom cycle, the main plant will die as there are no signs of new rosettes forming at the top of the trunk.  Luckily, there are 3 nice runners that have sprouted at the base of the mother plant!

So, enjoy the pics and join me in bidding this fine Lady farewell!  😦

My Yucca Thompsoniana’s “Last Hurrah”…

Orthphytums I picked up…

Posted: November 19, 2012 in Bromeliaholic, Plants
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I was looking through my plants and realized I had NO Orthophytum Bromeliads in my collection! Oh, the HORROR!!!  This was not at all acceptable, because there are MANY of these that I want and have wanted for a really long time.  Of course, one can NEVER find any of these beauties in nurseries around here in the Palm Springs area…

Understanding that “Orthos” can often command steep prices (such as many Dyckia species), I wasn’t  sure I’d be able to buy more than one at a time.  Luckily, I did a search on eBay and managed to find a couple at a decent price–provided a bunch of other collectors didn’t start competing with me for these plants!  The vendor was “bromlady” at “Bromeliads R US”.  I was very pleased at the condition of the plants on arrival as well as the fact that they sent me a bonus plant (a pup of Orthophytum ‘Pewter’).

All orthophytums are native to areas of Mina Gerais, Espirito Santo, Bahia and Paraiba in cenrtal to northern-eastern Brazil.  They usually all have white flowers.  These attractive and curious plants are found growing in rock crevices and high on granite cliff faces above streams, frequently at high altitudes, with constant water seepage often providing dampness to their roots.  In their natural habitat, cool to medium temperatures of 10° C to 24° C are experienced all year and although they will tolerate higher or lower temperature conditions, they will NOT tolerate low light.

Orthophytum Iron Ore

Close-up of Iron Ore

These first 2 photos above, are of Orthophytum ‘Iron Ore’.  Iron Ore is a hybrid of O. magalhaesii x O. saxicola var. aloifolium.  The hybridizer was Jim Irvin.  These are really cool looking plants.  I have heard that Orthos are fairly slow growing.  Perhaps this is why I haven’t ordered any before.  I hate to admit it, but I kind of like “instant gratification” of a fast growing Brom!  Of course, no plant will grow inches and inches over-night, or instantly throw out pups—but, I think I have matured to the point where I can wait awhile to see a slow-grower come into its own!

Orthophytum ‘Brown Turkey’

Unfortunately, I don’t know anything more about this plant pictured above, Orthophytum ‘Brown Turkey’.  If I find any more info on it, I will update this post with additional information.  I just thought it was attractive, was a good price and was offered by the same seller.  The next pic is of the bonus plant sent—Orthophytum ‘Pewter’.  It is a very young pup, but already has a good root system.  I hope he will grow up to be a fine strong plant!

Orthophytum ‘Pewter’

Orthophytum ‘Pewter’ is actually the Silver variety of O. saxicola.

I am looking forward to picking up a few more Orthos for my collection–such as:  O. navioides, O. vagans and Orthophytum gurkenii.  *Sigh*  Slowly but surely I’ll have a decent collection.

I can’t expect to EVER have all the plants I would like to, but trying to gives me good reason to get up every morning!  😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My “Mystery Bromeliad” Clump (Update–Got an ID: Hechtia sp. from Tehuacan, Oaxaca)

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Every so often I get a species that stumps me! (No Longer!  It is Hechtia sp. from Tehuacan, Oaxaca MX)

Hechtia sp. from Tehuacan, Oaxaca MX

I just purchased a clone of Hechtia sp. Tehuacan, Oaxaca from redfinklestein on ebay–Matches my clump 100%!

Now I just have to wait for my 2 clones to bloom–Maybe I will luck out & will have both sexes!

Image  —  Posted: November 16, 2012 in Bromeliaholic, Plants
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BIG BOY TILLY: Tillandsia Secunda

Posted: November 7, 2012 in Bromeliaholic, Plants
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T. secunda anchored in pot w/ Orchid bark, charcoal, perlite & gravel (my cat’s in the background)

 

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Tillandsia secunda is a large growing species native to Ecuador.  This plant was a MUST HAVE for me.  As someone who likes not only to collect all types of Bromeliads to grow as container plants, but also to use for landscaping where at all possible.  Secunda is capable of growing very large (usually, when grown as an bare-rooted Air plant or epiphyte–it tends to dwarf it somewhat. To grow faster and larger, grow as a potted plant in a fast draining potting mix).  It will eventually throw up a tall, colorful, jaw-dropping & long-lasting inflorescence AND WILL GROW BUNCHES OF NEW PLANTS on the bloomed out flower stalk!  A perfect opportunity to test out growing some of your newly grown brood in trees or mounted to patio beams. 😉  Also, when you have baby secundas to spare, you can give them to your plant-friendly friends and help introduce them to Bromeliads they wouldn’t normally encounter at your local home & garden center!   I purchased this plant from Scott McKenzie at Scotts Airplant Paradise on eBay.

Here in the So. Cal Desert, I keep my T. secunda under my covered back patio where it is shielded by the scorching afternoon sun by other plants.  It gets bright light though, the suns refection from the glass of the French doors bounce filtered light all over it in the late afternoon.  Normally, I would keep my Tillandsias outdoors under a 50 to 65% shade-cloth to keep them from burning.  But we get very high winds from time to time and this can dry out Tillys very quickly–Not to mention, rip apart a shade-cloth  and launch it many blocks away!  I keep most of them growing indoors, safe in my bathroom window.  The secunda needs more room to grow, and seems to be quite durable thus far.

Hechtia: The Perfect Bromeliad for Desert Landscaping

Posted: November 7, 2012 in Bromeliaholic, Plants
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Hechtia montana

 

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Hechtia tillansioides

 

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Hechtia lundelliorum (rear) and Pseudoananas sagenarius in foreground (False Pineapple)

First picture: This particular clone of Hechtia montana (now a clump!) I obtained from Dutch Vandervort almost 10 years ago.  It has matured very nicely, although it hasn’t bloomed for me yet.  Dutch told me the Hechtia montana he sees around in Mexico look quite different from this guy—growing conditions and spontaneous mutations in particular clones can vary the appearances of plants of the same species.

Hechtia is a genus with about 50 or so species and a few hybrids of evergreen terrestrial Bromeliads.  Most Hechtia are from Mexico. They are in the family Pitcairniodeae along with Dyckia, Deuterocohnia and Puya.  Although I have quite a few Hechtia species in my collection, I have barely scratched the surface of actually collecting them all.  Also, new species are being documented all the time—many without proper names, just location markers as to where they were observed and collected.  This sure doesn’t help my Bromeliad addiction any!!!

In the third photo above, you’ll notice how much healthier the Hechtia behind the Pseudoananas looks.  I’ve had both plants for quite a few years.  The False Pineapple plant is a tropical Bromeliad, these plants prefer much more humidity and filtered sunlight.  The intense desert sunlight here fries most tropical Broms without some amount of shade.  I haven’t had any problems with my Hechtias, either here  in Desert Hot Springs or down in Palm Springs, CA.  With direct sunlight, filtered sunlight–like under palm trees, or full shade…these guys thrive.  The only thing that could hurt these bad boys are poor drainage situations.  If keeping these plants in pots, DO NOT use a pot saucer under them as the soil needs to drain completely after watering well.  I personally, have never kept a Hechtia indoors as a houseplant—I suppose if you took it outside to water it well, let it drain out fully, then take it back indoors and place it on a drainage saucer, that would work well.

Most species of Hechtia are found in desert/arid regions of Central America: rocky canyons, steep cliff faces, and sandy deserts. They can be seen in the wild growing alongside Agave, Cacti, Yucca and Tillandsias.  So why oh WHY are they not used more in Xeriscape planting designs here in the Coachella Valley???!!!!  I can’t help but think it is just ignorance that Landscapers and “Weekend Gardeners”, such as myself, don’t use them as a Desert planting staple.  My hope is that someone who has a rock garden or Cacti collection might read this and decide to try out some of these great plants alongside old favorites in their own front or backyard.  There is really no excuse for not picking some up!  With online suppliers listed in the United States from  coast to coast, you can have these spiny devils (or spineless–such as H. tillandsioides & H. lundelliorum) delivered to your doorstep within a week.  Yuccado.com, Tropiflora.com, Birdrocktropicals.com  to name but a few….The sources are almost endless!  I will endeavor to create links to all my fave Brom suppliers in the future.

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Hechtia Podantha

GET CARTER! -or- Hybrid Theory…

Posted: November 4, 2012 in Bromeliaholic, Plants
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This post is about a lovely Hechtia hybrid I bought several months ago from Annie’s Magic Garden.com.  It is a Hechtia x “Carter”.  This sharp barbed plant is a hybrid between H. macdougallii & H. guatemalensis (I’m hoping to add clones of each of these Hechtias to my collection—Alas, we are going to be moving soon, so I bought the Carter instead to satiate my Bromeliad desires and keep the plant numbers down!)  It has curved spined leaves and forms a rosette to 18″ across.  I was surprised that within a month of my plant sitting on it’s stand against our side block wall, the leaves all flushed a brilliant fiery red.  I had read that this occurred when the plant was exposed to FULL SUN.  In this particular spot, the plants get bright sunlight, but NOT direct sun.  I guess the high UV-Index we get here in the So. Cal Desert is sufficient to flush the plant here even without direct sun exposure!

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Hechtia x “Carter” flushed red

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One reason I am stoked to have this plant is because it is a hybrid, and being a hybrid it has the potential to grow larger than either of the parent plants after several generations.  Compared to many of my other Hechtias of the same approximate age, the strap-like leaves are very wide and thick.  I will be keeping a close watch on this guy to see how he does here in Desert Hot Springs.

Speaking of hybrids:  I have a Tillandsia “Eric Knobloch” that has started it’s blooming cycle.  This Tillandsia is a hybrid of T. Streptophylla and T. Brachycaulus.  (I traded some pups from my Bromelia Balansae with Louis, from Plant Oddities.com for this “Eric Knobloch”).  It is a really cool Air Plant with a frosty green hue to the leaves.  As it has started blooming it is blushing pink.  These hybrids are documented to pup profusely & I am very happy about that as I would love to always have some of this plant on hand!

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Tillandsia “Eric Knobloch” starting to bloom

2 Dyckia & a Puya walk into a bar…

Posted: September 26, 2012 in Bromeliaholic, Plants
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I have no idea where I’m going with THAT title!!!  I was just thinking how the plant names sound like dirty words…AAAaaaaany-Hoo!

So here are a couple of interesting Dyckia I’ve neglected to share.  This lovely silvery lady is a Dyckia hybrid known as ‘Precious Metal’.  I picked her up at Sunset Blvd. Nursery in Silverlake, CA (a trendy neighborhood East of Hollywood in Los Angeles—My old Hood!) the last time I was there.  They have quite a few Terrestrial Bromeliads tucked away behind all the Agave and Yucca outside in the “Xeri-section”.  It takes a keen eye to zero in on them through all the various spines—And pull them out from their hiding spots carefully, so your arms don’t look like they were just mauled by hungry Hyaenas!!!Image

Dyckia ‘Precious Metal’

Next we have a Dyckia hybrid cultivar called, Dyckia ‘Lad Cutak’ (My pet-name for him: Cute guy).  I think the rosettes on this sharp little fellow are about full size at 4″ (If anyone knows differently—Please! Let me know…).

Update:  Right…So, a friend let me know that since Lad Cutak is a hybrid, and the clones vary greatly, it could get quite a bit bigger. 😦  (I actually bought him because I thought he was going to stay small.  The guy at Sunset Nursery assured me it would—There again, he barely spoke English!  Oh well…)  The habit of this plant is to pup profusely before plant is even mature.  Also, when gradually exposed to direct sunlight, the leaves redden deeply, eventually appearing almost BLACK!    I will have to give this a try…

Dyckia hybrid: D. ‘Lad Cutak’

Last up for today is a groovy Puya that has EVER SO SLOWLY grown from a very small offset I was very glad to get from an accomplished Brom Collector, Richard Size (Sadly, now deceased) from Los Angeles, at least 15 years ago. His mature plant was in a giant pot an looked like an immense Medusa head-dress—It was SPECTACULAR!  I understand when mature and blooming, these plants shoot up a tall flower spike w/ BLACK FLOWERS!  I am anxiously awaiting when she will bloom for me…  PUYA LAXA

Notice the “furry/wooly” leaves of Puya Laxa. Really cool looking plant.

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