Weird winter flower!

Arzberger · Post by **Arzberger** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 4:20 pm

Hello together,

anybody have seen this one flowering in winter?

Regards
Alex

iann · Post by **iann** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 4:27 pm

Not in England! I think it is used to winters that are actually cold, so it probably thinks your winter is spring

Post by **daiv** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:34 am

What a beauty! I'd bet there are not a lot of those being grown in Paraguay!

Saguaro123 · Post by **Saguaro123** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:40 am

Beautiful flower!

Arjen · Post by **Arjen** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:20 am

its clock may be off but it's a fantastic sight! which plant is this?

Peterthecactusguy · Post by **Peterthecactusguy** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:30 am

That does have cool flowers...is it a Fero?

Arzberger · Post by **Arzberger** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:10 am

Thanks!
I think, the actual name ist Thelocactus uncinatus, but there are a lot of synonyms:
Glandulicactus uncinatus,
Sclerocactus uncinatus,
Ferocactus uncinatus,
Echinocactus uncinatus,
Hamatocactus uncinatus,
Pediocactus uncinatus

@daiv, I'm sure that these I've grown from seed are unique in the country.

@StrUktO, sure that the 3 weeks of higher temperatures produce the flowering. We call this here "veranillo de san juan" (little summer of st. john). It was longer than usual, but the cold is coming back...

Best regards
Alex

iann · Post by **iann** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:18 am

Rarely called Thelocactus or Ferocactus any more although there are obvious similarities. Hamatocactus is a sort of confused drop-zone for plants that won't quite fit in Thelocactus or Ferocactus, but not currently an accepted name.

It definitely isn't a Pediocactus. Echinocactus is what it was first called but certainly not as Echinocactus is currently defined.

Sclerocactus uncinatus is the name in the NCL, but Glandulicactus uncinatus is a very likely better name and still commonly used. It is nice to see a really dark clone, but the flowers range all the way through browns to maroon. The range of subspecies and varieties is confused and confusing.

Arjen · Post by **Arjen** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 6:23 am

that little summer is amazing! how warm does it get? and what does cold mean in paraguay?

Peterthecactusguy · Post by **Peterthecactusguy** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:05 am

Arjen,
I would guess that it's a little warmer then cold means in the Netherlands, but I could be wrong there!

Arzberger · Post by **Arzberger** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:30 am

Thanks, guys...
I also feel more comfortable with Backeberg's name Glandulicactus (although I was told it is wrong), but genera names are just points of view.. arghh!

Regarding our "warm-cold conditions", it is typically south american: on the last warm days we had about 29ºC (84.2F). On Sunday we got a thunderstorm with much rain and within a few hours the temperatures dropped to 10ºC (50F) with strong winds from south. Last night we had 6ºC (42.8F). Tomorrow night I will cover the brazilian cacti with plastic sheets, just in case. There's also a wall around my garden, giving some protection of the cold south winds.

These conditions are something extreme, but I think the plants tolerate it well. I've only watered the graftings, some Gymnos and Fraileas. The northern cacti (USA, Mexico) are still remaining dry (with exception of some outside grown grusoniis).

Best regards
Alex

Peterthecactusguy · Post by **Peterthecactusguy** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:25 am

Alex thanks for describing your conditions. I have to admit that I am somewhat ignorant of the ways of South America. I haven't been down there but it sure seems like a neat place.

For some reason I had to think a minute when you said cold south winds.. haha winds from the south up here bring heat!