It's November and the temperatures have already dipped below freezing more than once this year. So what's up with this? Flowers? In November? All the bugs have already gone! What is supposed to pollinate these flowers? Why has this cactus (and all of the other cacti of mine that have chosen to do the same thing ... at least a half dozen of them) elected to flower at this late date?
Pictures taken and posted on 11/15/2017
Anybody have an explanation for this? Oh ... this is a Mammillaria geminispina v. nobilis BTW. It's a greenhouse occupant. At least, that is where it gets its mail.
From the side ...
... the crown ... this should have show all the unopened flowers ... there are probably as many as there are opened flowers ... but they didn't show very well did they? Well, you can see a couple ... at about the two o'clock position ... better luck next pic ...
... and last of all a view from the top. You CAN see some of the unopened flowers here. Again, about the two o'clock position ... and NOT well focused, eh? ...
Please ... PLEASE ... Stay safe while driving people. It doesn't always matter what you are doing ... all it takes is one fool in a hurry to get somewhere, and NOT watching what he/she is doing, to ruin the rest of your life
What is up with this?
- WayneByerly
- Posts: 1240
- Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 10:35 pm
- Location: In the north end of the Sequachee Valley, 65 miles north of Chattanooga Tennessee USA. Zone 7a
What is up with this?
Make the moral choice & always do what's right. Be a good example. Be part of the solution & make a contribution to society, or be part of the problem & end your life with nothing but regrets. Live a life you can be proud of! Zone 7a
Re: What is up with this?
You. Grab a Q-tip.WayneByerly wrote:What is supposed to pollinate these flowers?
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- Posts: 87
- Joined: Mon May 01, 2017 4:36 am
Re: What is up with this?
I have several Mammillarias and one Pseudolitos miguirtinus with flowers and these plants are growing outside in Southern California. I even have some seed pods on some plants. The high is 70F and the low is 60F where I live, but the days are getting shorter. There are bees flying around and pollinating plants.
- WayneByerly
- Posts: 1240
- Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 10:35 pm
- Location: In the north end of the Sequachee Valley, 65 miles north of Chattanooga Tennessee USA. Zone 7a
Re: What is up with this?
I didn't even think about other environments... I just wondered why my cacti waited SO late in the year to flower. Thanx ever'one for your replies... I appreciate you taking the time out of your (probably busy) day to provide me with information regarding my curiosity...
Make the moral choice & always do what's right. Be a good example. Be part of the solution & make a contribution to society, or be part of the problem & end your life with nothing but regrets. Live a life you can be proud of! Zone 7a
Re: What is up with this?
Very nice plant! Many Mammillaria will flower in spring and fall. It's all about the photo period for some species. A fair number of Mamms are also self-fertile. The bud with the "innie" on the right looks like a pollinated flower.
Disclaimer: I'm in sunny Arizona, so any advice I give may not apply in your circumstances.
Tim
Tim
- greenknight
- Posts: 4819
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:18 am
- Location: SW Washington State zone 8b
Re: What is up with this?
According to Llifle, "flowers are carmine in late spring and sometime in autumn too. " It's a native of central Mexico, a bit warmer there.
Spence
Re: What is up with this?
Are you sure that plant isn't a mammillaria spinosissma 'un pico'. It doesnt look like gemispina nobilis at first glance.