Big Bend Trip - April 20, 2012 - Part 3/8- CDRI

[John C]

After touring Sul Ross, we went straight to CDRI (Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute). We met there around noon time and had lunch. After lunch, Cathryn Hoyt gave us a tour of their collection of Chihuahuan Desert plants, then let us wander their gardens.

This is where CDRI is located:



Here are a few photos from the drive to CDRI from Alpine.







Here we are!












Lunch time!






Here is a photo tour of CDRI’s greenhouse. They have quite the collection!



















































This Thelocactus bicolor is stunning! It is growing in a prefect spiral and is very tall.





















Moving outside we walked through the gardens of desert plants.







































Moving away from the gardens there is a short trail that leads to a lookout point. Here are some photos of what we saw along the way:





A garden area:





Here is the view:





Next comes the drive from CDRI to Big Bend National Park! Next stop – Dagger Flats!

[gemhunter178]

Wow! That's quite a collection!

[peterb]

Great stuff, really enjoying all these photos.

peterb

[CoronaCactus]

Lots of tasty goodies!

[daiv]

Really neat John! Thanks for taking the time to post the photos for us. SOME DAY I am going to visit that area - may just have to add that to the list of places to see!

[majcka]

All pics are nice. But I like the tables. I sure could use one in my new GH. Especially if some of those things that are on would stay on.

[John C]

Thanks everyone! Many more pictures are still coming. I just need to get them posted.

SOME DAY I am going to visit that area - may just have to add that to the list of places to see!

It really is beautiful out there! Well worth the trip!

[Tony]

Really enjoying your post John, thanks for sharing!

[RichR]

Thanks for the pics, John. Makes me realize I need to visit West Texas again soon.

The 2-year drought has been so devastating out there. I think the cactus community in Big Bend will need at least a decade to recover (especially the opuntias) assuming a normal rain pattern resumes soon.

The good news is that the park has had some decent rains recently. I'm eager to see your pictures from there.

[tudedude]

wow, was that giant pelecyphora ony 12 bucks? I'd buy that whole table!

[John C]

Thanks everyone! It sure was a great trip!

I am still working on getting the other pics uploaded. I will be away this week, so either I will have more time to post the pictures, or I will be totally busy. I will see.

wow, was that giant pelecyphora ony 12 bucks? I'd buy that whole table!

No, those plants were not for sale. I don't know what the 12 stands for.