Once or twice a year the hybrid torch cactus in my front yard really outdoes itself. The plants are sychronized somehow, and all over town this variety blooms on the same day. The flowers will close up tonight and reopen tomorrow, but by Friday they'll start withering--so I thought I'd share the brief display with those of you who never get the chance to see it in person. Enjoy!

Thanks Ken, nothing more beautiful, to me, except maybe a fig. I live in the wrong climate for cactus:-(((. I guess I inherited some "Desert Blood" from my mom & her parents,lol. Enjoyed the pictures---Thanks!

It is beautiful. I grow several varieties of large padded cactus and the chula cactus as well. They all grow in ground and hardy, they have beautiful blooms.

Those are amazing Ken.  Incredibly vivid color.

Thanks for sharing these great pictures.

Best wishes.

John
North Georgia Piedmont
Zone 7b

They are so beautiful, Ken.  Thanks for sharing them with us.  I love the waxy, translucent quality of the cactus blossoms.

Do you live farther South than we do in Lafayette?  There are wild prickly pear cacti around here, or there once were before things got so built up.  :(  But maybe the more exotic cacti wouldn't do well here.

Vivian

Vivian, I believe you're farther south. If you have prickly pear, I can't see why this cactus wouldn't grow fine in your neck of the woods. The main thing it seems to require is neglect, and in Tucson it appreciates a little shade during the hottest part of the day.

John, Tim & Bass, I'm glad you enjoyed the shots as well. Plants are amazing!

Hi Ken.  Plants really are amazing.

So many people go through their lives, just walking past them, and not even realizing the great joy and benefits that plants bring to us.

For example, we have had much greater success using herbal treatments for common ailments, and they don't have the high cost or bad side-effects of drugs.

Among the reasons we are growing figs is that figs are extremely healthy, loaded with anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fibers.

Hope you are having a great summer Ken.

Best wishes to all.

John
North Georgia Piedmont
Zone 7b

Beautiful flowers, Ken.  Enjoy them while they last.

Oy vey!  I'm sorry Ken, I meant to put Tim's name in my second paragraph.  I was wondering if Tim lives farther south than I do (I think he does ) and if it is more wet/humid there than it is here.  :/

Vivian

Hi Vivian, I may be a little farther south, barely, but I used to live in Lafayette,as you know,and our climates are roughly the same. I do have some cactus still(those that didn't freeze or rot) and they are planted in raised beds with well draining soil. Prickly pear, I discarded, because they are not wind tolerant and break easily(probably because they grow extremely fast with all our water). Most that I still have are in the greenhouse so I can control the water. Enough about this from me, though, before someone reminds us that this is a fig forum,lol.