Peterb's new, revised 2012

[peterb]

The other Peniocereus in image 2 is maculatus, Harald, and that does put out flowers pretty much every year in high summer here, so I am hoping. Very fragrant.

PTCG, I prefer Neoevansia as I don't think the plant belongs in Peniocereus in a narrow sense. The currently accepted name is Peniocereus viperinus, however.

Greg, the flowers open a few hours before dawn and then are wide open in the early morning, closed by the afternoon. A cool flowering cycle that must have something to do with the pollinator.

peterb

PS, yes, it is one of the oldest from seed. Maybe the oldest.

[Ralf]

That are indeed really beautiful flowers! 17 years is a long way to wait for this awesome appearance.
Peter, you have to be very patient. Congrats!
It seems that the blossoms only appear on branches with a dried tip. Is it so?
So there is the question, do it flower better, if the branches will be cut at the end.

I do practice this with Selenicereus grandiflorus. Every spring before it begins to grow I cut all tips. The result is a sap congestion into the branches and therefore it produces more and more willingly its buds and flowers. If this works with Selenicereus, why not with Peniocereus?

[hoteidoc]

That's a Lo-o-o-ng relationship with a plant, Peter! And as pretty as the blossom is, I can't believe you held on that long just for the blossom! Certainly, in the eye of the beholder, because to me any of the skinny, gangly Seleni-types (so far) are ugly Esp. if most of them you have to be up in the middle of the night to see it! But that's just me. TFS!
Peter

[peterb]

I like the general habit of all the Peniocereus plants and their allies/relatives. On this particular plant, I especially like the strange spidery appressed spines on the blue gray lanky stems and the huge tap roots. I do agree there are some pretty dull Selenicereus, except for the flowers of course. Ralf, I do sometimes clip the dead stems, decided to leave some of them this year as it seems there is some new growth on one of them and maybe I can root a cutting. If I can keep this plant a little warmer and give it some water over the winter, the stems don't dry out, but it is less likely to flower. Ideal conditions for this one over the winter are cool nights (in the low 40s, no frost, although when dry the plant can take light frost for brief periods) and days in the 60s, with a little water every month.

peterb

[Minime8484]

Beautiful viperinus!! Really jealous - I've got two plants, but neither have bloomed for me yet. Crossing my fingers!

[CoronaCactus]

Great Neopenio!

[hoteidoc]

Thanks for telling me what your seeing, Peter! Hasn't made it to the "hit" list (yet), but then I never thought Opuntia's would either ! Really doubt I have 17 yrs left in me either, but as usual, it's almost never about flowers. Why else would I be growing Neoraimondia or Saguaro ?
Peter

[Ralf]

Thanks Peter, for share your experiences. Now I'll try to do my best.

[peterb]

A few new ones, flowering very much slowing down as the days edge toward 100 and nights stay up in the mid 60s.

peterb

[gemhunter178]

That's a lot of Thelos you have there! Cool flowers and plants too!....and a very expensive set of "glasses"!

[Peterthecactusguy]

nice new growth and flowers. I admit I like the glasses but 300 dollars? of course they are neat and rare probably so.. I get it..

[peterb]

The whole sets with pitcher and tray go for about 300. Turns out you can find pieces on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=bla ... us+glasses

peterb

[Harriet]

Beautiful flowers, cool glasses - no mater what the cost!

[tumamoc]

Nice. I got a few questions. First, and maybe the dumb question, (Thelocactus) bicolor is named for the flowers, right? Or is it the spines? Second, are those arms forming on the N. viperina or more flower buds? Last, which is the Grusonia pulchella?

[peterb]

Not a dumb question. I have no idea if bicolor is regarding the flower, but I assume so, since the no longer accepted variety "tricolor" definitely referred to the flowers. The viperina is forming new stems. As far as I know it flowers once and that's that. The Grusonia is mixed in with all the others...I'll take a group shot of the 8 or 9 pots later and post. Also, just to clarify, I didn't purchase the glasses. If I were going to spend $300, it wouldn't be on that, but on some kind of gargantuan Mesa Garden order.

peterb