We’ve got a thing for hardy cactus in the garden, but haven’t propagated many to offer yet. One of our many favorites is Notocactus apricus. Above is our 17 year old clump in the garden, which is 4″ tall x 15″ wide. We’ve grown a few from seed, but are curious how many folks might consider purchasing one? We’ve only been to 7F since 2000, so we don’t know if it will take colder temperatures or not.
Visitors to our spring Open Nursery and Garden this year got to see the amazing Trichocereus ‘Irridescent Watermelon’ (bred by local cacti specialist, Mike Papay) in full flower (hardy so far to 7 degrees F). Offsets are almost non-existent, so we decided to grow some from seed. Each plant will be different, but all should be quite nice. So, if we offered these as a seed strain, would you purchase some, knowing each will be slightly different?
Yes and yes. I have a strange attraction to prickly beauties.
It always amuses us when people comment they don’t like prickly plants, but yet they grow roses. I guess desert plants need a better PR firm.
I’m always looking out for deer resistant beauties but don’t have much Sun.
Would love to but now live in zone 4 so can’t grow any, do miss them. They are beautiful
Definitely!
You got a trichocereus to grow in the ground here?!?! I’m in the western part of NC (6a/b) and a few years ago got into the trichocereus species (pachanoi, macrogonus etc) because of their gnarly spines. Grew out quite a few from seed. Then I realized I probably wouldn’t get the thick columns (or huge flowers) here. So I started collecting the smaller echinopsis this past year (even made a few crosses which I have yet to sow). It can be a lot of work during the spring and fall moving pots in and out of the garage and protecting them from the rains that can cause rot since I don’t have a greenhouse. Probably shouldn’t have selected non cold hardy varieties. Every time I try to thin out the collection, I come up with reasons not to get rid of certain ones (cool spines, grew from seed myself etc.)
We’ve killed quite a few trichocereus as well, which is why we’re so excited about this one.
Yes and Yes. I love having different textures to add to my border. I like the hardy cacti.
Too wet and cold here in N Alabama.
I wouldn’t be too sure. Plant the on the south side of large shrub, which will keep the soil dry in winter.
Having bought numerous suc.’s ( actually 100’s) and of course, many from PDN I would welcome new intros. Don’t forget Yucca Doo has called it a day. Go for it Tony and let’s see what happens!
We are also very sorry to see Yucca Do close, but we continue to work closely with them to get their new introductions to market. We are very blessed to have them as friends and have many exciting plants from them on trial. It’s hard to say enough great things about their contributions to horticulture.
Oh yeah! The more cacti the better! I would definitely love to buy some!
I love hardy cacti, but have a small garden. I have a spot right now that I am now considering for your Notocactus.
I grow a lot of cactus, hedgehog, pincushion, cholla, prickly pear and many kinds of yucca and agave. I live in Pennsylvania ( zone 6), and I am always interested in more and different items for my three flowerbeds in particular items from foreign countries. I currently grow items from South Africa, Argentina and Mexico. To everyone who has posted that they can’t grow cactus prickly pear will grow everywhere from Florida to Central Canada as long as you purchase the right verity. I have been a regular customer of Plantdelights for years and I would be very interested in buying any cactus that Plantdelights would be willing to sell.
Would love to purchase some hardy cactus and some offsets or propagated cuttings from your cholla cactus too!
Yes