Big Bend State Park 1

Claret Cup Cactus - Echinocereus triglochidiatus

Texas Rain Bombs

Mammillaria heyderi - One of the pitfalls of growing cactus in Austin, Texas is the occasional "Rain Bomb".  Over the last three weeks I have recorded over 12 inches of rainfall at our house, filling the elevated cactus garden to overflowing and not giving the cactus adequate time to dry out.  Several cacti have turned to mush including this formerly handsome Mammillaria.

Echinocereus reichenbachii var. fitchii - from far South Texas

April 4 - Claret Cup Craziness

Echinocereus triglochidiatus - Claret Cup Cactus - This Central Texas native may be my most favorite cactus of all.  Strikingly brilliant long lasting red blooms, cold hardy to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, tolerant of full sun, soil is optional actually it prefers to grow in cracks of rocks, several specimen can be seen blooming in late March on sheer cliff faces along Interstate 10 west of Sonora.  Sadly this plant is more well known and appreciated in France and Germany, few Texans have made note of its disappearing presence in rocky portions of the Texas Hill Country and parts further West.

April 2 - Claret Cup Cactus