Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Mammillaria hahniana

This is a small plant of the very hairy form of Mammillaria hahniana, about 1" across. I don't know if there is an official cultivar name for this form of the species. We've called it Super Clone, very hairy, etc. The species usually doesn't have as full a head of hair as this. They've been flowering all summer.
Enjoy your plants!

Euphorbia lactea crested and variegated

This is an old plant which we've grown for many years, a crest with two kinds of variegation. It's in an 8.5 inch (21.59 cm.) diameter pot. In an effort to begin reducing our stock, we have this up on E-bay

Monday, July 29, 2013

Hoya pubicalyx 'Bright One'

The hoyas are blooming...but then, when aren't they? This one is Hoya pubicalyx 'Bright One'. What's not to like about these plants? Oh, I know, they drip and the scent can be overpowering. OK, I'll concede; the sticky drip from the flowers can be a little messy. But it's a small price to pay for such outstanding flowers which have a big plus...the have a wonderful aroma!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

An Agave is Blooming in Brookings

The newspaper in Brookings, Oregon (on the Southern Oregon Coast) reported on the blooming of an Agave in the downtown area.
Actually there are quite a few agaves planted around Oregon and there are times when they bloom. Most of the information in the article is accurate. I just wish that writers would quit calling all things which are succulent and prickly a "cactus". This is not a cactus, and to call it such just confuses people, making it more difficult to learn how to grow them.
End of rant!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Haemanthus humilis

A South African bulb in the Amaryllidaceae family, the flower color varies from white to this gorgeous pink. In addition, it's quite hardy, being able to withstand temperatures to -6C. The succulent bulb grows to about 8 cm diameter.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Echeveria 'Tippy'

And a bonus for tonight, Echeveria 'Tippy'. We've never been able to keep enough of these in stock, but now that we've closed the nursery... Actually, the nursery is still here and I expect to have our first listing out by the end of August.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Haworthia emelyae var. emelyae

We have location data on the seed for this plant but couldn't find it tonight (it's on the other computer), so the picture will have to do. Removed dead branches from several of our trees today and watered a quarter of the larger greenhouse. I wish I could say that after the sale we now have lots of empty space, but that isn't the case. Still have more plants than we have room for...

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Echeveria 'Morning Light'

Appropriately, this picture was taken in the morning light...I think...or, maybe it was in the evening. No matter what, the plant is "Morning Light."

Monday, July 22, 2013

Euphorbia obesa ssp. symmetrica

Often sold as Euphorbia symmetrica, now considered a subspecies of E. obesa, this becomes a really nice specimen plant but is quite attractive as a small plant. And then there are the striking euphorbia flowers, which are either male or female, depending on the plant. Want to get seed, get two plants which have already been determined to be one or the other. Otherwise, buy a bunch and hope for the best!  :)

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Report on OCSS Show and Sale

This year's show and sale is over and it was a success. Thank you to all of you in the Portland area who came to the event. It was good to meet you. I'll get back to posting to the blog this week. Thanks for your patience.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Euphorbia flanaganii flowers

One of the Medusa Head Euphorbias, this one puts out quite a display of flowers. Several of ours are flowering right now.
And we're almost ready for the OCSS show and sale. We've potted up enough plants to fill 35 or so flats, plus some specimens. Now comes the fun of transporting them all there. The show begins on Friday at 9 am and ends Sunday at 4 pm. I'll be giving a presentation on succulent plants at 1 pm on
Saturday.
This all takes place at Portland Nursery, 5050 SE Stark St. in Portland. Hope to see some of you there (specifically, those who are in the Portland area; but if you want to fly in :) we'll give you the red carpet treatment!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

A Melange of Aloe Cultivars

It's more like a tangled web of aloes, thought the picture makes it look more tangled than it is. This is just a small view across some of the aloe trays with the sun shining through the leaves.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Sempervivums

 
I think our alpine beds are getting away from us. We were planning on dividing and transplanting this bed this spring, but it didn't happen, and it's certainly not going to happen while we're preparing for the show and sale. Maybe this fall...

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Opuntia flower

I'm not an expert on opuntias and since this plant isn't labeled I'm not certain. I think it's Opuntia gomei. Regardless, it's a wonderful specimen of a plant and is just starting its blooming.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Gymnocalycium pflanzii var. lagunillasense

I don't think the variety name is accepted on this plant any more. Let's just say that there's some variation with the species. Regardless of the name, it flowers beautifully every year.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Austrocylindropuntia vestita

I took these pictures in a bit of a rush today, just before the sun started to set, not even pausing long enough to remove the spider webs. This plant has been a part of many people's collections; it's the name that keeps changing. Regardless of the name, though, it's always very recognizable, the "vestita" referring to the "vestment" of white hairs. It's almost more common to see this as a crested plant.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Succulent Plant Fest 2013: OCSS Show & Sale

Succulent Plant Fest 2013:
A Weirder Portland & Northwest
One Plant at at Time

July 19-22, 2013
Portland Nursery on Stark St.
5050 SE Stark St.
Portland
Store hours (9 am - 7 pm), except on Sunday when we will close early (9 am - 4 pm). 
I haven't had much time to take photos or post anything for a while. We're busy potting up plants for the annual Summer show and sale of the Oregon Cactus & Succulent Society. If you're in the Portland area we hope to see you there. In the meantime, I'm preparing the sermon and worship service at Woodlawn United Methodist Church for tomorrow evening. Never a dull moment.