Another Melo "gamble"

[SnowFella]

One of the local nurseries that the wife has a membership in put on a saleday today with 20-50% off on all plants for members so a short cartrip was in order. Not to impressed by the selection of cactii that they had this time around, usually have some gems among the common plants, but when I noticed the larger potted cactii was 40% off I could't help myself and came home with a mature M. matanzanus.

Looks to of been top watered over the cephalium so the seedpods haven't had a chance to dry but rather has gone soggy, going to try to remove them before they do any damage.
Brings my total up to 4 melocactii, not counting the 15 or so seedlings that slowly are growing away in a propagation box.

[hoteidoc]

Beautiful plant, Snowfella ! Don't have the heat for these guys -- don't even try to "push the envelope". Guess that's a blessing -- don't need another 1/2 dozen or so cacti to "want"!
Peter

[Saxicola]

I think you got a good buy! I need to give those a try sometime. Before I knew enough about cacti I thought they were some monstrose thing that only existed in horticulture. Basically I assumed it was a graft much like those red, achlorophyllous Gymnocalyciums. I'm not a fan of most bizarre horticultural mutants. Once I realized this is perfectly normal and just what that genus does it made me see it in a whole new light!

[majcka]

If I get me such one my kids will still have place to sleep if take that as a pillow. Right Peter?

[hoteidoc]

Glad you can still work the kids in, Maja. they must know they're loved or they'd be GONE
Peter

[majcka]

they must know they're loved

Of course they're loved. Cacti love them verrrrrry much.

[jnspire]

they must know they're loved

Of course they're loved. Cacti love them verrrrrry much.

Hahaha... CLASSY!

[SnowFella]

Luckily for me I don't have the kids problem to deal with. Got 2 out of 3 out the door already, just need to get rid of the youngest stepson and I'm in the clear

Be treating this one just like I treated the other ones last winter, as soon as I start getting single degree nights they come in for the duration of the winter. Last winter I had 2 plus the seedlings and atleast one of the large ones survived. Both lost their roots but it does seem like the larger one manage to reroot properly, the smaller one is still sitting in a pot and showing a fair bit of shrinkage and haven't put on a single new areole all summer but I'm not giving up on it just yet.

[SnowFella]

Looks like it's showing it's approval of my ownership with 2 tiny little flowers, saw no hint of these untill about midday today. One has opened and the other is just barely peeking up through the cephlium.

[hoteidoc]

Isn't it great when plants "let you know"! Not quit a cat or dog, but you've got plenty of fuzz to stroke! Or use for a pillow!
Peter

[SnowFella]

Think I'll keep it out of the bedroom for the time beeing, wife thinks I'm nuts enough as it is!

[majcka]

Think I'll keep it out of the bedroom for the time beeing, wife thinks I'm nuts enough as it is!

Thank goodness I don't have a wife to bother me about my cacti-holizm.