Showing posts with label Succulents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Succulents. Show all posts

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Succulent Salon

Succulent succulents.  I think that says it all!!


No names.


Although this one reminds me of coral in the ocean.


This one reminds me of those tubular sponges waving back and forth with the current.



These two compliment each other beautifully.



These little rosettes like to sprawl and will soon hang over the lip of their pot.



My daughter potted this combo - quite lovely, I think.



This one has already found its way over the edge of its pot. 
I love the variegated little stars complimented by their sweet white blooms.



When I was given these lovely little succulents, I thought this pot the perfect new home.  However, they are all growing so quickly that I may need to find a new residence sooner than anticipated.


These pencil cactus rank in my favorites list. 
I was given the smaller one at the bottom of the photo
that has doubled its size in just a few short months. 
The two larger ones,
supported by a bed head board for the time being,
were found in a garbage pile. 
Lucky day!


This Zig Zag cactus was also a cherished gift
and tops my favorites list.
It has tripled its size!!!


This singular cactus was brought from my previous garden.
I worried that it felt lonely and wasn't thriving.


I was wrong. 
She was working diligently to produce her first bloom!
I can't wait to see it!!!



This, sadly, is the sight of a cactus grave.  It showed no hope.
But if you look closely...


Never give up on a suculent!



This little pot of pricklies was given to me by a woman having an estate sale.
The pot was waterlogged and the cactus looked beyond hope.
It's recovering nicely and will be fine.


On a completely different note, our hen, Cameron, is not a "Cami" at all, but rather a "Cam" instead.  Yes, Cameron belted out his first crow, proudly announcing his misidentified gender. 



Indeed he had shown protective behaviors over the other two hens and displayed his tail feathers like a peacock.  He is larger than the girls, and commands respect.  We are still waiting patiently for the ladies to produce eggs, but seeing that Cameron is going through puberty and finding his voice, I imagine it won't be much longer! 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!!


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

A Bevy of Barter Benefits

Once upon a time in my very diverse career, I was employed by an international bartering firm where I created and distributed their bi-monthly newsletter.  It was a fascinating job as I was exposed to the age-old system of barter, or the exchange of goods and services for other goods and services.  People would trade anything!  Items were both new and used but of the utmost quality; service providers were licensed professionals who guaranteed their work; travel companies offered exclusive vacations...not just 3-day hedonism jaunts; luxury vehicles, homes, apparel, etc. were offered.  In other words, barter was not for the unfortunate lacking funds to obtain what they needed to exist...it was for anyone with something worth while to trade who needed (or wanted) something of quality in return.  
Barter is still a successful economic system, alive and well in today's society!

I recently reaped the benefits of the barter system. 
I received a couple of plants on my "hot" list in exchange for plants on my friend's wish list.  I have to admit, though, I received much more than I asked for!  My friend not only made my day with the two plants I'd requested, but with a bevy of additional surpises that sent me for a loop! 
Holy Succulent Heaven!!!

The two coveted specimens...


the Pencil Cactus, or Euphorbia tirucalli. 
As it's a Euphorbia, it's not a cactus at all but a succulent. 

and the Zig Zag Cactus!
Other names include Cryptocereus anthonyanus, Selenicereus anthonyanus
Anthony's Rick-Rack, and Fishbone Orchid Cactus.
I found photos of Zig Zag in bloom too!!!!
 (scroll down toward the bottom of the screen if you click on the link)
 
Absolutely awesome, aren't they? 

I first saw them last year at a local botanical garden, Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens. 


The pencil cactus I noticed was a TREE!!!
CRAZY! 
I fell in instant love! 


Then I rounded a corner and noticed the ZIgZAG cactus
in a planter on a bench and was overcome all over again! 
Actually, at the time, I had no idea what it was...
I referred to it in my previous post as a "succulent fern".
These two succulents made my head spin with their uNusual shapes. 
And now, I have two of my very own!! 
I can't wait for my young starts to grow into such
spectacular displays as seen on my garden tour.

But my good fortune did not stop there. 
I was blessed with a plethora of succulents! 
I won't pretend to know the names of them all...
I'm still conducting some research. 
However, I wasn't the only one excited to examine and plant
each scrumptuos succulent...my daughter
had to get in on the fun, too.  In fact, she designed this container....


Aside from my two grand prizes, this one is my favorite. 



I love the colors and patterns, especially in the matching pot!
(not to mention the lovely  model, of course!)


This one is so fun...it's soft, fuzzy and velvety with a bumpy underside!
I believe it's called Kalanchoe beharensis, Felt Plant, or Velvet Leaf Plant.
It beckons to be pet!


And this one has beautiful contrast and architectural structure!


This one is very dainty with petite rosettes spreading about...


And this one is even softer with it's grassy leaves and pretty white flowers...
(reminds me of gold sedum)




Another gorgeous rosette with burgandy hews...

Then there are the majestic, statuesque type...
I imagine this guy will grow tall!

This one has teeth...



These next two are similar in their nubby form but different in color!
LOVE IT!!!




This is the smallest...
I wonder if it has a spreading habit or if it will hang over the side of the pot?

And this one is the largest in regard to sprawl...I curled it around into this pot.
I like the flat pancake or paddle leaves.

These are all starts at the moment...
I wonder how big they'll grow given light, care and space?!?!
What FUN!!!!

The best part is not just the physical prize,
but the intangable prize of building relationships with other gardeners!! 
I'm so happy for these friendships and look forward to seeing them grow
as well as the plants we share!!! 

THANK YOU!!!!!