...am I not the lucky one?

[nachtkrabb]

When I just sat here on my south-facing balcony, I suddenly thought: I am really the lucky one. This here is a quiet paradise, where loads of plants purr like content cats.
This is continued on the Western balcony & on the garage roof.
Next to every day of the year, something or other is flowering.
I admit being grateful.
N.

One of today's flowers: Lobivia hertrichiana, first time ever in stereo.

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Eastern half of South balcony

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Western half of South balcony

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[jerrytheplater]

Very nice.

[MrXeric]

Nice plants, lovely balcony. A little paradise.

[ohugal]

Very cozy!
What's the trailing plant below the middle shelf of the rack?
Also, the roof on the right side in the third photo has a rail system of some sorts. What is that? I remember seeiing it whenever it visited Germany.

[nachtkrabb]

Thank you very much.

Trailing plants:
On the Eastern side, there is a Hatiora salicornioides, a cactus needing incredibly amounts of water due to home in the rain-forest.
On the Western side, there is a Pachiphytum clavifolia with its bluish-grey leaves.

The railing on the roof is a "Schneegitter" = snow grid (?). We used to have loads of snow in the winter and this grid would stop avalanches gowing down on pedestrians, parked cars etc. Today we are happy if we get a bit of powdered sugar more or less covering the lawn... So I am not sure if they still build such a grid or grille in new houses today.
And that grill has very strong fastings so that a roofer can walk on those along the roof.
N.

[anttisepp]

Beautiful cosy balcony, there's possible to fit much more cacti!

[nachtkrabb]

Yes, Antti,
there are a lot more. Only the upload from the tablet to the cloud was that slow that I didn't add further pictures. Here they come: Along the balcony's grid, on the floor, are further grids crowded with cacti & succulents enjoying morning & evening sun without midday's scorch. The picture shows but a small part of them.
Some plants are hanging on the balcony's grid. I am so happy that I have a small Stapelia-population again -- it was somehow lonely without them.
Also my breakfast place is on that Southern balcony.
Added a pic of the Western balcony. Yes, there are some tomatoes, too.
N.

clipping: on grids on the ground, with morning & evening sun only --

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hanging gardens

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hanging gardens

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breakfast place -- today it's raining hard

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Southern end of the Western balcony ;-)

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Northern end of the Western balcony :-)

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[ohugal]

Very cozy!
That Cycas in the last picture looks amazing. You have it for a long time? It always stays outside?

[madkactus]

nice collection and cozy looking .

[greenknight]

I don't think it's luck, but rather well-selected plants that are well grown.

I thought the Hatiora was easy to recognize, but I'm surprised it doesn't turn all red in that much sun

[nachtkrabb]

Very cozy!
That Cycas in the last picture looks amazing. You have it for a long time? It always stays outside?

Thank you. The cycas I bought in Jan. 2010. In the winter, I take it inside, but as the very last plant. I also try to bring it out early. Maybe I am a bit overprotective: There are pictures of them from Japan with loads of SNOW on them! But our climate here is totally different from there, eg. we have no influencing ocean in front of our doorstep (what a pity!). Thus I don't dare to try what would happen.
During winter, the cycas has to survive my living room -- there is no other space for such a huge plant. But when I enter the flat & look into the living room, I see it as if I would look into a botanical garden. I love that, too, although we are a bit cramped.
The plant has started a bunch of of pups, maybe nine or so. I saw them first in last May. The biggest should be a bit smaller than a fist. A fortnight ago, I detected the very first couple (=2) of leaves on one of them. They are now about 12cm / 5in long.
N.

[nachtkrabb]

I don't think it's luck, but rather well-selected plants that are well grown.

I thought the Hatiora was easy to recognize, but I'm surprised it doesn't turn all red in that much sun

Thank you. The Hatiora gets evening sun but is pretty much shielded from mornig & scorching midday sun. Maybe that's why it stays that green...?

Sorry, just checked it: It does get midday sun. Then I have no idea why this cactus from the rain forest likes it there so much. You can watch it grow there. Maybe it helps that I have to give the Adenium some water each day during the summer & then next to always give a spoonful to the Hatiora, too.
To me, "why" is quite often a too difficult question when plants are concerned...
N.

[nachtkrabb]

Usually I buy one cactus in a year. This year has so far been a very dangerous year -- loads of new plants. I just couldn't stop myself.
The little alien has no name yet, but I hope this is going to change.

Those four joined me on my way home. Three had names attached to them, not so the non-cactus. From left to right: Parodia ottonis (ex Notocactus o.), Gymnocalycium anisitsii (ex G. damsii), a tiny green alien & a small Stapelia gigantea secured in a glass.

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