Thread: Flowering cactus

I have just a cactus flower (i think its a cactus) looks all red and fluffy, smells kind of like rotting meat.

The reason for the rotten meat smell is that they are polinated by flies.

Zenwood
They are just damn beautiful.

Zen, Nice shot - long time coming! At least you had the prescence of mind to get out the camera! I have a similar looking cactus outside my shed that sprouted a flower stem about 10" long in just 2 days. It opened about midnight the 3rd day and was shrivelled by midday following. Stunning pink/yellow flower but didn't have a chance to grab the camera - thought it would at least last a full day!

What can I say? I like cactuses.

The flowering one is still flowering, and almost has four on the go now. It doesn't smell bad: it has a very faint odour of sweetness.

I like the symmetry of cactuses, along with their endearing personality. They just love being left alone.

Wow, Zenwood - neat cactii and fantastic photography! They do have loads of personality - you have some very different ones, there, too.

Cheers,

Jill

After a fine crop of flowers earlier in the year, the big cactus has sprouted these objects, which I assume will develop into seed pods. I look forward to seeing what further surprises this wonderful plant has in store.

TTIT reminds of the 1st Denise the menise (sp.?)

Originally Posted by zenwood

After a fine crop of flowers earlier in the year, the big cactus has sprouted these objects, which I assume will develop into seed pods. I look forward to seeing what further surprises this wonderful plant has in store.

Hi Zen ,

Looks like a Ferrocactus herreae(sp?) I have one just like it but mine hasn't produced seed pods .
I have been collecting cacti for a number of years ,and have quite a collection.
Have also grown a lot from seed .
I have been selling a few at the local markets to thin the herd so to speak ,amazing how well they sell.

I have recently burnt all my pics to DVD disc (claiming back space on my hard drive) and will have to locate the disc I'll post some pics when I find it.Here are some from my webshots album















I thought I was the only cactophile on this forum , so I didnt mention it.




Cheers
Kev.

Originally Posted by Miltzy

I have just a cactus flower (i think its a cactus) looks all red and fluffy, smells kind of like rotting meat.

That would be a Stapelia , common name Carrion Plant ,not a cactus but a succulent .
Lots of differnt ones ,but the most smelly is the Stapelia grandiflora ,big dark red flower looks like velvet.

Any plant that stores moisture in it leaves ,branches , trunk or roots is a succulent.
As the saying goes "all cacti are succulents ,but not all succulents are cacti "

Pic here



Kev

Cool! Another cactophile! I thought I was the only one, too!

The flowers and spine configuration do indeed resemble those of the Ferocactus herrerae, as shown here. However the overall shape isn't quite the same: the ribs on mine are straight and the shape is globular, whereas the article shows helical ribs and a cylindrical shape. It may be that mine is still too young, especially since this is the first time it has fruited.

Any information on the names of the cacti in my other photos?

Would love to see your photos too, if you get a chance to post them.

Originally Posted by zenwood

Cool! Another cactophile! I thought I was the only one, too!

The flowers and spine configuration do indeed resemble those of the Ferocactus herrerae, as shown here. However the overall shape isn't quite the same: the ribs on mine are straight and the shape is globular, whereas the article shows helical ribs and a cylindrical shape. It may be that mine is still too young, especially since this is the first time it has fruited.

Any information on the names of the cacti in my other photos?

Would love to see your photos too, if you get a chance to post them.

Zen ,

Give it time it will get the helical look , these plants grow reasonably slow .
These pics above are old ones , I haven't taken a lot over the last couple of years ,most of the plants are much bigger now , a lot have gone to the gods as well .

I think through those pics in my previuos post you link to other pics on my Webshot albums.

Pic four of yours looks like some type of Mammilaria .
The first one could be a type cereus or pilocereus .
But I'm no expert by along shot .
Heres a link to a good forum ,lots of knowledgable folk there.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/cacti/

Cheers
Kev

Beautiful photos, Woodlee. Maybe in 100 years mine will be 6 feet tall. SA must be a bit cool for cacti.

Originally Posted by zenwood

Beautiful photos, Woodlee. Maybe in 100 years mine will be 6 feet tall. SA must be a bit cool for cacti.

Zen ,
The cool weather certainly slows them down a bit ,The ferrocactus comes from the American desert country so hot during the day and cool at night , sometimes snow in winter ,so they can certainly handle extremes.
I fert mine twice a year in the hotter part of the year using 1/2 strength Phostrogen or tomato or rose fert.
Cacti prefer less nitogen and more Phosphorus which promotes flowering.
Also they prefer slightly alkaline soil so mix 1/2 cupful of garden lime in a 10l bucket of water and mix it up and water ocasionally with that , to reduce acidity in the soil.
The lime also helps the plant take up the fore mentioned nutirents from the fert,as acidic soils can lock the nutirents away preventing up take by the plant.

Cheers
Kev.