 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
WATERLESS PLANTS FOR WATERWISE GARDENERS
SUCCULENT PLANT SUPPLIER AND WATERLESS GARDEN DESIGNER |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
DRYSCAPES SELLS ECHINOPSIS + ECHINOCEREUS CACTI SEEDS AND PLANTS IN DIFFERENT SIZES, QUANTITIES + PRICES.
LOPHOPHORA PLANTS IN DIFFERENT SIZES, QUANTITIES + PRICES
|
DRYSCAPES CACTI ARE TOUGH, WELL BEHAVED, FREE-FLOWERING AND EASY TO GROW.
OUR FINEST PLANTS ARE FOR SALE HERE AMONGST INFORMATION ABOUT
THE BEST PLANTS TO GROW. Few people collect only one species of Cactus without later collecting more.. Cactophiles talk of having the Cactus-Bug because Cacti are very interesting and uniquely beautiful, striking plants to grow and exciting when they flower, and can fit in the most unlikely landscapes with incredible results.
More to come in future- keep visiting and submitting images. This question is nonsense because cacti are succulents. The true cacti are members of the botanical family Cactaceae and are distinguished from the succulent members of other plant families such as Euphorbiaceae by the structure of the flower and the presence of the areoles on cacti.
It therefore should be: Q- "Is this plant a cactus or some other succulent?" A- A Cactus is always a Succulent (plant) but ... a 'true' Succulent is not a Cactus The flowers of all cacti range greatly in color from brilliant fuschias and magentas to bright or pale yellows, pastel pinks, white and light green and orange.
There are many species which bloom at night and have very pungent fragrances with extremely large flowers. Some species have dark purple, red, pink or green markings in the florets and very interesting delicate and beautiful stamen and pistil arrangements. Flowers can range in size from only one quarter of an inch across to one foot across and as long. Many Cacti, under the proper conditions, will flower all summer. Many Cacti flowers have a fleshy base which develops into a fruit. The mature fruit ranges in color from green and yellow to black, red, orange, magenta and purple with various colored fleshes, often dark red or fluorescent magenta. The flesh is often juicy containing many small seeds. A FEW WORDS OF WISDOM. . . Give correct conditions and a cactus can live for decades , ... but ignore the 'golden rules' and your plant will be doomed and unlikely to fulfill its potential orbe worthy of being a' friend'. Many cacti are sold as young plants for 'pocket money'. AVOID these - they often need to grow huge before they flower but are unsuited to 'windowsill' locations. The easiest way to kill a cactus is with a cold,damp winter - these cacti seem to suffer most and are more demanding than the average cactus.! AVOID plants which have any 'white fuzz' in plant crevices- little beetles called mealy bugs can infest large areas and disfigure and eventually kill ... so choose from the 'bargain bin' carefully and if you see any signs of peat and disease DO NOT BUY ANYTHING - they will infect your own plants and disfigure them... badly! AVOID plants with fake colourful flowers or eyes 'glued' on or 'stuck' in - damage will show later on it will always be prone to disease. BE CAREFUL... Cacti are fun but some are very capable of growing fast and repelling - such as our CACTUS HEDGE. There's a great selection of cacti on the internet - EBay is full of 'green and yellow' variegated cacti selling at a premium price. ~ BEWARE~! These will be dead in a few years , this is a sure sign that the plant is infected with virus or bacteria. Buy from reputable specialists such as DRYSCAPES Avoid buying from DIY stores,Garden Centres and Florists...YOU WILL AVOID PROBLEMS LATER ON !
 Some popular genera of cacti are described below Astrophytum
 Cereus This genus comprises some of the largest cacti in the world. These cacti are usually large columnar plants, sometimes with branches or "arms" that sprout with age. They retain large amounts of water in their stems and individuals can weigh in excess of several tons. Most of these cacti can stand little or no cold temperatures. Varieties of Cereus were well known for their size but also prized by Native Americans for their nutritional fruits. This practice was also followed by the Mexican and South American Indians. The cereus dead wood skeletons were used in construction of their huts and sometimes in furniture. The best known of the genus is the Cereus giganteus "carnegiea gigantea' [the saguaro] of Arizona and neighboring Mexico. It often reaches heights in excess of 50 feet and has truly become a symbol of the southwest deserts. Another Arizona cereus is the Cereus thurberi commonly called the Organpipe cactus. Other cereus cacti include the trichocereus species from South America; the giant pachycereus cacti of Baja California, often exceeding 60 feet in height but even more massive than the saguaro of Arizona; cephalocereus and oreocereus [the old men cacti] which all have white to grayish wool & hair growing from their tips to up and down the most exposed sides of the cacti; and some of the tropical cereus from Florida, the Caribbean, Central & South America. These particular cacti are not only known for their columnar growth for also for their exquisite blooms and fragrance. The best known U.S. fragrant cacti is the cereus greggii [Queen of the night] from Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. It is an exception to the rule on large size. This cacti looks like a couple of sticks with tiny spines and once a year, large nocturnal white blooms are produced, filling the night air with their fragrance.  Not to be confused with Trichocereus (as many do!). Not as hardy, and more hairy than Trichos! Coryphantha
 A wide ranging and solitary to clustering species with lovely flowers. Many of this genus are cold hardy ranging from southern Canada to the Dakotas south throughout the Western States and into many parts of Mexico. Sometimes referred to as the ball cactus. Coryphantha vivipara is one of the most common and includes many varieties. This cactus is distributed over a wide area in elevations from a few hundred feet upwards to 9,000 feet. The flowers are light to deep pink, clustering at the top of each stem. It is known to endure temperatures below -40 degrees F. One of the largest of this genus is Coryphantha recurvata, with long downward- curving central spines and greenish blooms edged with yellow. Many of these will survive in the Great Plains from North Dakota to Texas if the soil is fast draining and the plant receives full sun. These are sometimes confused with the Mammillaria genus.
This usually clustering or sometimes solitary "barrel" type cacti is much more limited in species, but contains some interesting and intriguing varieties. Dry fruit is produced by the echinocactus and is not edible. All of this genus are easily grown from seed. Echinocereus
The echinocereus was historically used as a supplemental food source by animals and also by native Indian tribes, especially in regards to its fruit. Echinocereus varieties are found from Central Mexico to as far north as the Dakotas in the United States. Echinocereus viridiflorus [green flowered], and the smallest of the genus, is found from northern Mexico and even into Wyoming and the Dakotas, where the temperatures regularly plunge well below zero degrees F. The claret cup [Echinocereus triglochidiatus] hedgehog is one of the most brilliant flowering and seems at home in lower elevations as well as up to 9,000 feet on some mountains. The beautiful Arizona rainbow cactus is Echinocereus pectinatus v. rigidissimus. Hedgehog cacti occur as far east as Oklahoma and Texas, represented by the showy "lace cacti", Echinocereus reichenbachii. These are produced large quantities by commercial growers. Another favorite is the Strawberry hedgehog, Echinocereus stramineus of New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. Other types of Echinocereus occur south into Mexico and usually are not as cold hardy as the U.S. species. Many of these are easily grown from seed, and most will not bloom without a definite cold period. Echinopsis
 A robust group of diverse plants with huge, colourfull blooms. Able to withstand dry frost and years of neglect.
Echinopsis Subdenudata is lmost spineless and quick growing, producing many large, white trumpet blooms over summer.
The typical echinopsis is white, but many breeders such as schick have created wonderfully colourfull hybrids worth seeking from a specialist Epithelantha
 The small genus contains only two species. It is commonly called the Button Cactus and is found in Arizona, New Mexico and south into Texas, and into Mexico. Both species have tiny white circular spines with white wool at the top and on spines. A cold hardy genus that is a great addition to any collection.Epithelantha micromeris is the most common of the cacti and also the smaller of the two. It has tiny pink flowers followed by red fruit. Both types cluster freely and are found growing on limestone to igneous outcrops throughout its range. They are not always easy to find due to their small size. Epithelantha bokei is much larger than its cousin but still a very tiny species.  EspostoaThis columnar Cactus from The Andes grows tall with wooly white spines can reach tree-like proportions. Avoid winter damp - remember cacti prefer to be dry so add plenty of grit and ensure good drainage when planting. This genus is noted for its fierce heavy, sometimes curved or straight spines and is one of the true "barrel" type cacti. They usually are solitary stems growing up to 10 feet tall or so, although many of them are lower growing. Their stems are storage places for large quantities of water and were cut open in the U.S. and Mexico for use as cattle fodder and as a life saving source of water for early settlers and stranded travelers. Wild animals will even eat the tender inside to survive in droughts. These barrel cacti are represented by 20 - 30 species occurring from California, Nevada and Arizona south into Mexico. Ferocactus acanthodes and wislizenii are the two most common types in the United States. One of the most unusual and beautiful cacti in this genus is the Ferocactus hamatacanthus with its striking curving long spines. All of the species produce edible fruit which is sometimes sold fresh. Ferocactus
Hose off regularly to prevent mould. Funnel shaped yellow or violet flowers followed by small yellow berries. LOPHOPHORA WILLIAMSII - PEYOTE CACTUS BUY ONE OF NATURES 'CUDDLY-CACTI' WHILE YOU STILL CAN
Mammillaria
 A wide ranging and desirable species ranging from Nevada, California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and south into Mexico. These are propagated in great numbers by commercial growers and are some of the most free flowering of all species. Many of these are semi-tropical, although several of the U.S. species are found at elevations above 7,000 feet. They produce bright red fruit pods and are easily grown from seed. Neobesseya
 This small genus is sometimes clumped with the rest of the Coryphantha, but is somewhat unique and includes 4 varieties. A very small usually clumping cactus that extends almost to the Canadian border and known for it cold hardiness, and beautiful variable flowers, although many tend towards red or pink. These cactus will survive throughout its range from Central Texas to Idaho and even into Montana. All of these cacti are readily propagated by seed. The most common variety and wide ranging is the Neobessya missouriensis v. missouriensis, found from Montana, Central Idaho to North Dakota, Kansas, into New Mexico and northern Arizona. Neobessya v. marstonii has much larger flowers and found in a limited band from southern Utah to Northern Arizona. Neobessya v. caespitosa is strictly in the grasslands of the Central United States and tends to have the largest flowers of this genus. It is found from Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas at much lower elevations than the others. Neobessya v. robustior is the last of the genus and found only in Texas from the Panhandle to the Edward's Plateau near Austin. It tends to be a larger version of the variety caespitosa. Neolloydia
 Similar to the sclerocactus, but occurring over a much wider area from Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, California, Arizona and southward into Mexico. These are a beautiful genus and found in much hotter sites than sclerocactus. They are noted for their dense spines and striking flowers. Neolloydia johnsonii is one of the most typical. Opuntia
 The name prickly pear or Cholla ( pronounced choya ) is used to describe the large genus of Cacti having pads or stems (joints) called: Opuntia. Opuntia was particularly prized for it's several species which were used for food and for the production of cochineal, a red dye which is taken from a common pest Cochineal scale insect. The Native Americans of the southwest encouraged the Cochineal scale in certain areas because the bright red dye was so prized. One species, Opuntia ficus-indicais grown for its edible fruit although the fruit of many are also edible and tasty. Pads of some species are also eaten like green beans. Many species of Cholla became very popular in the 1950's as the 'dead' trunks were very decorative with unique criss-cross patterns and were used almost ubiquitously for lamps and souvenirs in Western trading posts. Cutting, removing, Transplanting or damaging most or all natural species of Cacti is now highly illegal in Arizona. A permit is generally required and planted species must bear a special permit tag. The Opuntia genus is generally considered among the large cacti, with succulent stems sometimes reaching up to 12 feet high. The true leaves have almost evolutionally disappeared and consists of only a few very inconspicuous fleshy transistional glochids or scales, but the succulent, often flattened, slab-like stem segments or pads (cladodes) contain chlorophyll and take the place of leaves. The stem segments are often grey-green in colour and are covered with numerous, stout, spines varying in color from red to yellow to silver or white and sometimes sharp secondary bristles which radiate around the main clusters of spines. The spines and how they are shaped, colored and their specific numbers and relative lengths are used commonly to help identify various species from one another. Pediocactus
 This is a somewhat northerly genus, referred to as the "foot" cactus and occurring from the Black Hills of South Dakota, west into Wyoming, much of Idaho, southeast Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. There are several varieties within this genus, although the Pediocactus simpsonii has the largest representation. Some of the tiniest of cacti are found in this group, although larger varieties are being discovered. It can be a solitary stem to clustering depending upon the variety. Pediocactus are found mainly in rocky isolated areas [lava and limestone] and most are fragrant and all have beautiful flowers. These cacti are found at elevations from 600 and upwards to 10,000 feet, and hence are very cold hardy. One of the most recent additions to this genus is the beautiful deep pink flowered, Pediocactus nigrispinus, which is found in southeast Washington, one site in Idaho, and in locations in Oregon. It tends to be one of the largest of the genus, freely clustering and armed with black spines. Pediocactus are currently being studied by several individuals in an effort to determine all of the varieties and its range. Pediocactus simpsonii and its varieties are found in the most abundance in Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico. These are all free flowering with a dazzling array of colors and spine variations. These also occur mainly in isolated hillside to mountainous locations and rarely are seen by the public. Pediocactus bradyi is very rare and small and occurs only in a 15 mile long area of northern Arizona. Pediocactus knowltonii is very tiny and found only in New Mexico and Colorado in a very limited area. This one is difficult to find since it is so small. Another rare one is P. paradinei, found in grasses only in northern Arizona, and is hard to find because of the habitat. Pediocactus sileri is one of the most prized because of its white and brownish black spines. This is also known as Utahia sileri since it is found only in the Strip Country of Arizona and Utah. It usually does not cluster. An often overlooked Pedio is P. peeblesianus with its 2 varieties is unique with tiny white crosses of spines. The 2 varieties are found only in Arizona. The last and most unusual variety is Pediocactus papyracanthus called the grama grass cactus. It reminds one of the Patagonian flat paper-spined opuntias, except that is clearly in the Cereus family. Grows only in Arizona and New Mexico in or near "fairy rings" of blue grama grass. Rebutia Sclerocactus
 Sclerocactus are sometimes referred to as "pineapple" cactus and are one of the smallest genus', made up of eight species occurring mainly in the northern reaches of the North American Desert. This genus and the Pediocactus are currently highly desired by collectors from throughout the world. Most of this species are fragrant and very cold hardy if kept dry in the winter. The Mesa Verde sclerocactus is one of the rarest of the genus and found in isolated portions of the four corners region of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. The other seven varieties are as follows: S. glaucus [found only in Colorado and Utah], S. wrightiae [found only in one location in Utah], S. pubispinus [found only in Nevada and Utah], S. spinosior [beautiful spines, found in Utah and Arizona], S. whipplei [found only in Arizona], S. parviflorus [2 varieties, found in Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, beautiful flowers] and S. polyancistrus [red and white spined and the largest of the Sclerocactus, found only in California and Nevada]. All of the Sclerocactus are highly prized and easily propagated by seed. Field research is still being done as to new sites and possible new varieties. Trichocereus - SOME DIFFERENT 'SAN PEDRO'S ' ...LOOK LEFT+RIGHT! |
Cacti can look fantastic when they flower...
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Each 3+ cm WIDE,
6+ cm WIDE,
8+ cm WIDE,
7+ cm WIDE, 
