Thursday, February 20, 2020

Jungle cactus, my latest obsession

Jungle cactus—actually this obsession isn't entirely new, I've been on a rhipsalis kick for awhile, and anything epiphytic tends to draw my attention. But our December trip to Southern California really amped up my jungle cactus lust...plants growing on plants, what could be better?

This opuntia-supported version was at The Huntington. Seeing the blooms would have been amazing I'm sure.

Also at the Huntington was this sculptural old tree with some form of jungle cactus crawling along it's trunk and branches.

ID is a tricky thing when it comes to these plants, at least for me. There are so many different types and I certainly can't tell them all apart.

This one is pretty happy, weaving up and down and around.

The folks at Rainforest Flora worked a few jungle cactus into their display...

During my visit to Dustin Gimbel's garden (photos tomorrow, finally!) I found a few more...

Doesn't this one look like it's reaching up and grabbing a hold of the top of the wall?

There was even fruit!

The thing about this crush is that I can't grow them the way they want to be grown, the way I like to see them growing—epiphyticly on trees and other plants. Our winters just don't allow it. However since I've already started collecting (see yesterday's post, and below is my haul from Portland Nursery's houseplant sale in January) I guess I'm going to have to get creative....

Weather Diary, Feb 19: Hi 55, Low 32/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

25 comments:

  1. I agree, the jungle cactus are so collectible. Seeing them climbing in trees is very cool. Have seen potted specimens hanging from tree branches to great effect.

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    1. And that's probably close to what I'll end up doing.

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  2. I keep flirting with the idea of a jungle cactus collection. Perhaps after my next purge, if I find myself with sufficient space. Epiphyllum chrysocardium and Lepismium houlletianum (Rhipsalis houlletiana) are two of my favorites!

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    1. I suppose when you eventually make your way to Southwestern Oregon you'll be able to grow these beauties outdoors?

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    2. Hm, I think it would be too cool and wet for too long to keep any of them outside year-round. Maybe with overhead protection.

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  3. A photograph from your visit at Sunflower Farm stuck in my head, and it could have easily been part of this post too: "Opuntia in a tree". Creativity will most defiantly have to play a major roll in this new crush.

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    1. I really need to find a place to get an opuntia going in a tree.

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  4. Gardening challenges make life so much more interesting!

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  5. You've got me wondering if I should try relocating one of my increasingly unwieldy Epiphyllums from my lath house (where they're rapidly running out of head space) to my chiminea. Hmm...

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  6. They are way way better growing in a tree or draped over a wall. The don't reach their potential in a pot.

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    1. Unfortunately some of us have no choice.

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  7. A fabulous haul indeed ! :) These are my favourite plants, half of my greenhouse is dedicated to Epies ! :)

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  8. What fun. I have my Epiphyllum oxypetalum, no thorns, hairs, spines or anything to hurt. Also have a Zigzag epi of some sort, a pass-along from a friend. No name for certain.

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  9. Pretty! Did you see the cacti growing in the palm trees at the Huntington? They can grow anywhere!

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  10. I have to be really careful when i've been asked to inspect a tree that have cacti inhabitants!

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  11. Getting creative does not seem to be a problem for you.
    rickii

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  12. Whoa. I was enjoying just looking through all the images of the cacti climbing and draping themselves everywhere. But then I got to the fruit photo and thought "holy cow that's a dragonfruit!" Then I googled a bunch and now my mind is blown. I had no idea it was the same plant. Amazing.

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