Monday, May 29, 2023

My Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus, and a new succulent bromeliad

I don't have any idea how old this Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus (aka totem pole cactus) is, but it became mine back in 2017, a gift from Maryellen McCulloch

It's had a rough life since then, moved in and out of the house, in and out of various containers. I was thinking about what a trooper it is as I potted it up in it's summer home on the patio.

It has some battle scars.


These few thanks to my accidently/on purpose (the first couple were an accident, the others on purpose) removing it's arms. 

Sounds horrible doesn't it? Here they are, rooting in a pot of their own. I accidently knocked the largest two off moving it inside for winter one year. I decided the others looked silly and so I popped them off two, thinking they'd be insurance should I lose the big one. Now I wish I'd just left them alone and let them grow.

Ah well, live and learn. I think he looks handsome with the other plants in this corner the patio. It's quite the collection of things I've purchased and things friends have given me. 
In other container plant news, I've added to my succulent terrestrial bromeliad collection. The latest acquisition was a random find at Portland Nursery, from Burnt Bridge Creek Nursery, a Deuterocohnia lorentziana...

Which has much larger rosettes than Deuterocohnia brevifolia...

A side-by-side comparison...if I lived in SoCal I'd put these both in the ground, but since I don't they'll be living in containers. Aren't plants cool!?

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14 comments:

  1. Wow, that totem pole of a Catus is amazing.

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    1. Even better when you see them in a clump. But still, I feel quite lucky to have this one (and it's babies).

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  2. I've never resolved my feeling about that Pachycereus - it's undeniably interesting but I find it a little creepy at the same time. I almost expect it to pull itself up and walk away. I actually like the lineup of the broken arms in the pot.

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  3. AnonymousMay 30, 2023

    Pachycereus schottii is impressive, made even more so by being a gift.
    It seems you increased your collection of orange-red pots, I love that color. In the group photo, what's in the top row, second from the left?
    Chavli

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    1. Actually I haven't bought a new one of those orange pots in years, maybe it's just the way I photographed them? I think you're asking about the Aralia cordata 'Sun King'—the bright leaves?

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  4. The monstrous form of Pachycereus always reminds me of something that's had molten wax poured over it. A bit creepy but still so cool. The photo of all your cacti/succulents in their orange and black pots is striking. Do they live in these pots year round or do you repot every year?

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    1. I love the molten wax analogy, so true! I repot a few things each year, but some live in the same container longer than they probably should.

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  5. Yes, I love the red/orange pots and wondered if you have to move those plants in and out in summer and winter. It would be a heavy job. They are sure beautiful though!

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    1. Everyone of those post move every spring and autumn. Some just go into the shade pavilion greenhouse a few feet away, some go into the basement.

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  6. Totem's are the gentle beauties in my Tucson gardens. I adore the undulating bulges on the smooth surface of this cactus variety and it never hurts me when I pass by. Hope you can stop by next time you are in AZ!

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    1. I think one of the nurseries in Tucson is the first time I saw a grouping of totem pole cactus, breathtaking!

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  7. I bet it was Bach's. I haven't been there for quite a while, but it is one of the best for cactus. My jaw dropped the first time I was there!

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  8. AnonymousJune 02, 2023

    Wow!! Amazing cactus! I imagine it grows slowly, no?
    Jim N. Tabor

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  9. I understand the awkwardness of leaving some branches in place, especially when they are out of proportion to the rest of the plant or stick out in a weird direction. If one was brave, you could cut it off above the battle scars and reroot the top. Maybe best to wait until it’s too big to easily move around though. Then you’re almost forced to do an operation.

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