Windowsill and patio growing

[jp29]

The flowering season for Arrojadoa multiflora (started in December) is finally winding down:

[jp29]

The flowering season for Arrojadoa multiflora (started in December) is finally winding down ..........

.......... however, the tip cuttings that are currently rooting are producing new flower buds:

[jp29]

Tacinga inamoena ssp. subcylindrica (sensu lato) growing in 3¼" (8cm) square plastic pots
Equal parts washed, coarse pumice and cocopeat

This species produces large and plump fruit:

[Minime8484]

My A. multiflora are blooming now too and also have a few buds forming. A. rhodantha is also slowing down with just one developing now. No A. dinae flowers in a while though.
A. penicillata and A. bahiensis just pouting and refusing to flower at all this year!

Yours are beautiful as usual!

[Arjen]

I always find the waxy flowers of arrojadoa fascinating, too bad they need so much warmth in winter
yours look lovely

[fanaticactus]

I always find the waxy flowers of arrojadoa fascinating, too bad they need so much warmth in winter
yours look lovely

How warm do they like it? I have some that don't like going below 50F, or even 60F. Those I have been bringing in from the greenhouse each winter. Do they still need a lot of light and less water during the winter? How hot can they stand it during the summer?...and how much fresh, circulating air do they require?

[jp29]

I always find the waxy flowers of arrojadoa fascinating, too bad they need so much warmth in winter
yours look lovely

How warm do they like it? I have some that don't like going below 50F, or even 60F. Those I have been bringing in from the greenhouse each winter. Do they still need a lot of light and less water during the winter? How hot can they stand it during the summer?...and how much fresh, circulating air do they require?

Please refer to my cultivation notes (sig link). I have, on occasion, grown all Arrojadoa species outside here in Tucson where the winter nights sometimes get (slightly) below freezing -- but then I throw freeze cloth over them. Otherwise (and mostly) I treat them as I describe in my Cultivation notes. But that is here in southern Arizona where cold nights are usually followed by warm, sun-shiny days that rejuvenate the plants. Additionally, our winters are mostly very dry with abundant daily sunshine. For me, plants of this genus have no problem handling the fierce Tucson summers -- 100°F+ (approx. 38°C+) days with 75°F+ (approx. 21°C+) nights -- with occasional 110°F+ daytime temps -- under 30% shade cloth (which I find provides optimum shading and air circulation here). As always, your own growing environment, substrate choice, type of containers, climate, plant staging and light intensity are the determining parameters for successful cultivation.

[jp29]

Coleocephalocereus purpureus makes a nice, compact windowsill plant


Coleocephalocereus purpureus growing in 3¼" (8cm) square plastic pots
Equal parts washed, coarse pumice and cocopeat

[Arjen]

I have, on occasion, grown all Arrojadoa species outside here in Tucson where the winter nights sometimes get (slightly) below freezing -- but then I throw freeze cloth over them. Otherwise (and mostly) I treat them as I describe in my Cultivation notes. But that is here in southern Arizona where cold nights are usually followed by warm, sun-shiny days that rejuvenate the plants.

of course, I should have mentioned the difference in growing context.
I live in the netherlands, cold and moisture go hand in hand here, no warmth in months.

your coleocephalocereus look amazing!

[K.W.]

Coleocephalocereus purpureus makes a nice, compact windowsill plant


Coleocephalocereus purpureus growing in 3¼" (8cm) square plastic pots
Equal parts washed, coarse pumice and cocopeat

Great plants James!

Thanks for show.


Best wishes

K.W.

[jp29]

I am currently recovering from my third abdominal surgery. That episode, coupled with my difficulty walking due to lower leg edema and deteriorated knees dictates that my potted plants must be light weight due to my winter maintenance regimen which involves staging my plants indoors on south facing window sills at night, and during cold days, and carrying them outside to the patio for the benefits of sunshine and fresh air during the 60°F+ (approx. 16°C+) days that we frequently experience during our Tucson winters.

My cactus and succulent collection here at our small retirement Town Home consists mostly of miniature species, growing in small containers, maintained indoors on south facing window sills in 2" (5cm) - by 3" (7.5cm) deep, 2¾" (7cm) and 3¼" (8cm) square plastic pots, or outdoors in plant boxes under 30% shade cloth as weather conditions dictate.

I have selected the plants that I grow according to the following criteria:

1. Relatively "shrubby" and thin stemmed species that are of light weight.
2. Do not require a cold winter rest to produce flowers.
3, Can be grown to maturity - producing flowers and fruit - in small containers.
4. Approx. 12 inches (30 cm) maximum height.
5. Can be easily propagated via cuttings or freely produced offsets.

Current plant selection:

I now have to prepare to drastically reduce my "Town Home Collection" of plants before they become primarily winter windowsill staged plants. My current plan is to maintain one or two specimens of my very favorite Brazilian Cacti and Madagascar Euphorbias in carry trays as depicted below:


Arrojadoa dinae growing in 2¾" (7cm) square plastic pots


Arrojadoa dinae in bud, flower and fruit


Pereskia portulacifolia growing in 2" (5cm) - by 3" (7.5cm) deep square plastic pots


Pereskia portulacifolia growing "bonsai style"


Euphorbias - left to right - growing in 3¼" (8cm) square plastic pots:
E. cylindrifolia x didieroides, E. sakarahaensis, E. cylindrifolia ssp. tuberifera


Euphorbia cylindrifolia x didieroides


Euphorbia sakarahaensis


Euphorbia cylindrifolia ssp. tuberifera

[Minime8484]

Good to have you back, James! And, great photos - do you use a photo box with a blue background, or just a blue piece of paper, or ??

[jp29]

Good to have you back, James! And, great photos - do you use a photo box with a blue background, or just a blue piece of paper, or ??

Thanks Tristan. Actually I just use one of my trusty reference books ..........



.......... remove the tattered old dust cover .........



.......... prop it open slightly and position the plants against it as a background

[Minime8484]

Ha! Great idea!! I'll have to find me a book that color too!

[fanaticactus]

Thanks for the tip on a background for photographing.