Columnar cacti in cultivation

[jp29]

The temperature outside of our Townhome early this morning was 37°F (approx. 3°C) after a day of rainfall (remnants of the California rain) with a high temperature for today predicted to be 55°F (approx. 13°C) so I may keep the small growing Brazilians indoors on the south facing windowsills. The daytime high temperature is expected to rebound into the 60s°F (approx. 16-20°C) tomorrow so they can go back outside under 30% shade cloth.

Following is a view of my Scriptorium windowsill early this morning -- the Trichocereus peruvianus, Myrtillocactus geometrizans, Echinocactus grusonii, Opuntia engelmannii and the orange and lemon trees growing outdoors in my front garden patch appreciated the rain.

[jp29]

For Minime8484:

How are the Brazilians you are growing outdoors handling the cooler and wetter conditions we are experiencing, Tristan? The low temperatures are usually a little higher in Phoenix than we have in Tucson.

[Minime8484]

So far, so good, James! The lowest it's gotten in my yard so far is 38F (3C) - and that was a couple of weeks ago. The forecast for the rest of the month puts us at a low of 32-33F (0C) a couple of times, so I will break out the Styrofoam cups and the freeze cloths this weekend to be safe. I don't cover anything unless the forecast calls for at least 34-35F (0-1C) for a low. The wetness doesn't tend to be a problem as long as the day or two after the rain is mostly sunny, which has been the case so far. Keeping my fingers crossed we don't get any significant freezes the rest of the Winter!

[jp29]

So far, so good, James! The lowest it's gotten in my yard so far is 38F (3C) - and that was a couple of weeks ago. The forecast for the rest of the month puts us at a low of 32-33F (0C) a couple of times, so I will break out the Styrofoam cups and the freeze cloths this weekend to be safe. I don't cover anything unless the forecast calls for at least 34-35F (0-1C) for a low. The wetness doesn't tend to be a problem as long as the day or two after the rain is mostly sunny, which has been the case so far. Keeping my fingers crossed we don't get any significant freezes the rest of the Winter!

I followed about the same regimen as you do when I was growing my Brazilian's outdoors here in Tucson, Tristan. But as you know, not only are the winter days and nights colder in Tucson than in Phoenix, but we have several micro-climate zones here. I live close to one of the major washes (which acts as a cold sink) -- if the thermometer registers, say, 30°F (approx. -1°C) at my home, it will be around 35°F (approx. 2°C) at Dan Bach's which is only 20 minutes drive from here -- but his nursery is located on a foothills plateau where it is much warmer. Anyway, I am glad you have prepared well for the winter.

It has turned out to be a nice sunny day: 55°F (approx. 13°C) at noon -- so my small growing Brazilians are off the windowsills and outside until nightfall.

[jp29]

I forgot to include my portrait photo with my Christmas greeting card post -- it is there now

[jp29]

I have lived here in Tucson for forty-five years and I only remember snow sticking on
the ground on about a dozen occasions or so. Saguaros, Mesquite, Agaves, et al bearing
a mantle of snow is an unusual sight.

[KittieKAT]

Frozen cacti! Oh no

[jp29]

I am going to add Cleistocactus varispinus (syn. Cephalocleistocactus schattatianus)
to the list of columnar cacti I will be growing from seed next year.

I have always admired this species which I first grew with Gil Tegelberg in 1964 as Cephalocleistocactus ritteri.
The nomenclature was not good, but it was brand new in cultivation at that time and the name was tentative. It bears
it's flowers and fruit from coalesced bristly areoles in a manner reminiscent of the slender stemmed Micranthocereus,
(not really a cephalium in the usually accepted sense) which adds to it's appeal for me. Anyway, I lost my plants of this
species several years ago -- it is time to re-instate it in my collection at Dan Bach's.

I don't have any photos of mature plants of this species -- the best I have found online are here

[Minime8484]

I am going to add Cleistocactus varispinus (syn. Cephalocleistocactus schattatianus)
to the list of columnar cacti I will be growing from seed next year.

I have always admired this species which I first grew with Gil Tegelberg in 1964 as Cephalocleistocactus ritteri.
The nomenclature was not good, but it was brand new in cultivation at that time and the name was tentative. It bears
it's flowers and fruit from coalesced bristly areoles in a manner reminiscent of the slender stemmed Micranthocereus,
(not really a cephalium in the usually accepted sense) which adds to it's appeal for me. Anyway, I lost my plants of this
species several years ago -- it is time to re-instate in my collection at Dan Bach's.

I don't have any photos of mature plants of this species -- the best I have found online are here

Here's a good photo of a mature Cleistocactus variispinus blooming:
http://www.cactuspro.com/photos/Cactace ... /4282.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have two plants but they are still less than a meter tall, so have a ways to go before they start showing a cephalium, I'm sure!

I also grow Cleistocactus ritteri, which is a bit different (paler spinage & yellow flowers), and has bloomed (as a matter of fact, I noticed a couple of buds in their very early stages just this week!).

Have you ever grown Cleistocactus chrysocephalus (also, as the other two, has been placed in Cephalocleistocactus)?
I've never seen a plant in real life, but I did sow some seed last month and now have several seedlings going - hopefully they all survive!
Here's a great picture of a mature plant with a cephalium:
http://www.cactuseros.com/Detalles/Iden ... HALUS.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So glad you are also showing some Cleistocactus Love! They are my favorites!...though, as you know, the Brazilian species are gaining ground rapidly!

[jp29]

............... Here's a good photo of a mature Cleistocactus variispinus blooming:
http://www.cactuspro.com/photos/Cactace ... /4282.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have two plants but they are still less than a meter tall, so have a ways to go before they start showing a cephalium, I'm sure!

I also grow Cleistocactus ritteri, which is a bit different (paler spinage & yellow flowers), and has bloomed (as a matter of fact, I noticed a couple of buds in their very early stages just this week!).

Have you ever grown Cleistocactus chrysocephalus (also, as the other two, has been placed in Cephalocleistocactus)?
I've never seen a plant in real life, but I did sow some seed last month and now have several seedlings going - hopefully they all survive!
Here's a great picture of a mature plant with a cephalium:
http://www.cactuseros.com/Detalles/Iden ... HALUS.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So glad you are also showing some Cleistocactus Love! They are my favorites!...though, as you know, the Brazilian species are gaining ground rapidly!

Great pics, Tristan -- thanks for posting those links I have not grown Cleistocactus chrysocephalus although I would like to. We should swap some plants of these specie, Tristan -- I always like to have examples from different clones -- IMO diversification enhances the vigor and viability of existing plants..

[Minime8484]

I have not grown Cleistocactus chrysocephalus although I would like to. We should swap some plants of these specie, Tristan -- I always like to have examples from different clones -- IMO diversification enhances the vigor and viability of existing plants..

Absolutely! I've got about 10 one-month old seedlings of that species coming along right now, and if they survive, some definitely have your name on them!

Cleistocactus chrysocephalus (2014-Dec16).jpg (44.86 KiB) Viewed 1828 times

[jp29]

................ I've got about 10 one-month old seedlings of that species coming along right now, and if they survive, some definitely have your name on them! ..........

Great stuff, Tristan. Same with the Cleistocactus varispinus, eh?

[Minime8484]

Same with the Cleistocactus varispinus, eh?

The Cleistocactus variispinus I should have for you sooner! I have two plants in-ground that I've had for years. Should be able to root a cutting this coming Spring-Summer for you!

Cleistocactus variispinus 1-2 (2014-Dec16).jpg (55.84 KiB) Viewed 1825 times

[jp29]

............... The Cleistocactus variispinus I should have for you sooner! I have two plants in-ground that I've had for years. Should be able to root a cutting this coming Spring-Summer for you! ...............

OK Now here is a varietal form (rosea?) of Pilosocereus fulvilanatus that should make you drool/salivate, Tristan ...............



............... compared to the normal form (I will be sowing seed of this next week) ...............

[Minime8484]