Conservatory cactuses
Our
conservatory cacti are rewarding us with pretty flowers this year.
This is the one that flowered in May.
There is a belief that indoor cactuses will only flower once, but if they have sufficient sunlight, they will continue to flower annually. Some, like the Christmas cactus, may flower several times.
This is the currently flowering plant. It has just one flower, but what a beauty it is.
This cactus flowered some months ago, but something interesting is happening on
the surface. Having investigated, courtesy of the internet, I have a horrible
feeling it’s giving succour to mealybugs, in which case it will go in the
garden for a holiday.
Update: blogging is so helpful. On Lyssa Medana's blog she mentioned Dragonfli, a company that provides biological, environmentally friendly solutions to naughty bugs. I have ordered some mealybug predator larvae (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) They're not cheap, but it will be worth it, if they work. I can't wait to set them loose on my poorly cactus. Thank you, Lyssa!
Now, which is the correct term for more than one cactus? Is it cacti or cactuses? Both forms are perfectly acceptable. Cactus is a Latin name, so cacti is the Latin plural, and the one most frequently used. Cactuses is the Anglicised version, obeying the rules of English pluralisation.
My crazy Christmas cactus has bloomed since mid March. It has new buds on it now.
ReplyDeleteObviously, it really loves where it lives.
DeleteVery pretty blooms and an interesting read :)
ReplyDeleteThey're worth waiting for.
DeleteI just say cactus for singular and plural, one cactus or many cactus.
ReplyDeleteThat's so much simpler.
DeleteYour cactuses are real beauties. How are Gilbert and Jellicoe doing?
ReplyDeleteOh, I just saw your header photo! Exceptional photography. Is this a Barry photo?
DeleteGilbert and Jellicoe are well, thank you, though we're keeping a careful eye on Gilbert's face by his eye.
DeleteYes, the header photograph is one of Barry's. Thank you. He's a 'proper' photographer, not a pot luck one like me.
What a great example of how the blogging world can offer both support and solutions; I hope your predator larvae thrive and restore your cactus to full health
ReplyDeleteWe can all learn from each other, which is so encouraging.
DeleteLive the geraniums header photo. No idea about cactus - I avoid gratuitously prickly things.
ReplyDeleteVery wise of you. I'm not keen on prickles, though we do seem to have quite a few, one way and another, both indoors and out.
DeleteCacti, definitely. Same as radius and radii.
ReplyDeleteMy preference is for cacti, too.
DeleteThe first time I saw flowers on cacti I thought there were artificial and glued on. I had no idea they could produce such beautiful blooms.
ReplyDeleteThey are quite extraordinary.
DeleteMy Christmas cactus lives on a sunny window sill and flowers 3 or 4 times a year, in November I get a full bloom, the other times just a few. Most of my nasties I keep in the greenhouse away from small hands.
ReplyDeleteOur cacti are up high, in hanging displays.
DeleteI am not a fan of cacti but some do have quite wonderful flowers.
ReplyDeleteThey do.
DeleteHow lovely to have cacti that flower, I have had cacti in the past but they've never flowered.
ReplyDeleteIt's just luck and the right conditions, serendipitously.
DeleteYour header photo is impressive. Of course it is cacti but I only say that because it is how I learnt that many years ago.
ReplyDeleteOld lessons and habits remain with us.
DeleteHi Janice - I'd say cacti, but would understand cactuses. They are amazing plants - a dose of outside weather I'm sure will improve said bug infestation. I agree the blogging world is fantastic re help and info ... good for Lyssa - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteSo often help comes along just at the right moment.
DeleteFingers crossed that the nematodes work on your cactus. I really hope that it comes back. Isn't it strange what you see online?
ReplyDeleteMother had a Christmas cactus that we had throughout my childhood and it bloomed every year until she passed when I was in my forties. It was so early that we called it the Advent cactus and so prolific that it was a menace.
I love your new header, it looks so elegant.
Did the Advent cactus survive after your mother passed away? I gave my mother a clivia that flowered once. After she died, I brought it home, where it thrived and flowered at least once a year, sometimes twice.
DeleteIt'll be very interesting how those larvae work. Hope the cactus survives and gets to bloom again another day. My Christmas cactus that I had to cut back is still alive but it's been entirely too cold to even think about putting it outside.
ReplyDeleteThey seem to survive neglect, generally, but the cold will do them in!
DeleteThose first two have pretty blooms on them. Hope the larvae work.
ReplyDeleteSo do I. They may arrive tomorrow.
DeleteWhat pretty flowers. Ugh, I do hope that you will be able to save your cactus. One does become attached and protective of the living things under one's care.
ReplyDeleteYes, pests are just that - pests!
Deletethey are beautiful, we miss our tall pine tree and the lovely night blooming cactus that lived in its upper branches. glad someone could help with the bug problem
ReplyDeleteA night -blooming cactus sounds amazing. I'm sure you miss it.
DeleteCarlos has the green thumb in our house and he has several cacti in the sunroom that flower; such pretty blooms, too.
ReplyDeleteThey are quite extravagant flowers, too.
DeleteMy cacti are blooming this year too...first time ever!!
ReplyDeleteOh, congratulations. It's good to have pleasant surprises.
DeleteBeautiful blooms on your cactus plant. I am beginning to explore the cacti family and add them to my front yard. After all...they really like the Texas heat..
ReplyDeleteThey should perform well for you, then.
DeleteBeautiful. My grandmother had a Christmas cactus that bloomed twice a year, at Christmas and Easter.
ReplyDeleteI took the watering advice too literally - 'don't overwater' - and my Christmas cactus used up all its resources and the water sadly came too late to revive it.
DeleteI’ve always heard and used the cacti variation. Not sure if I have ever heard the other, but I probably have.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be listening for it now!
DeleteI've had Christmas cactuces in the past that grew quite big and flowered annually. (Now it's been a while since I had any.) I don't think I ever had any other kind of cactus that actually flowered.
ReplyDeleteInterests and fashions come and go in my conservatory. I had lots of begonias at one time . . .
DeleteSo pretty!
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteLovely to see them flowering. I've added a couple of cacti (cactuses) to my houseplant collection this year, it will be interesting to see if either of them flower.
ReplyDeleteIt can take quite a while for them to flower. I don't know if restricting their roots has an effect. Ours are all in small pots.
DeleteThey are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI think so, too.
DeleteI think your Cacti look lovely.
ReplyDeleteI've always used the term cacti as the plural, probably from my school English teacher, as certain words seem to stick with me over the years :)
All the best Jan
PS Hope the mealybug predator larvae works.
Sometimes the things teachers tell us do stick. I wonder if any of my 'advice' ever stuck.
DeleteI've always used the word cacti.
ReplyDeleteSo have I.
DeleteLet us know how your mealy bug predators do, will you? Another hand raised for 'cacti'
ReplyDeleteNo doubt there will be a blog post in the fullness of time!!
DeleteSuch lovely flowers
ReplyDeleteThey are, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteAh, another cactus lover. I only have a few but they are fun. My Thanksgiving cactus bloomed briefly last month. Good luck with the mealybugs.
ReplyDeleteCacti and succulents are such interesting plants, I think.
ReplyDeleteThat first one has some really pretty blooms! I'm glad you found a possible solution to the mealybug problem. Poor thing does look done in ... xxx
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed!
DeleteI think cacti flowers are pretty special. They are so unexpected. I only have a Christmas cactus here and it has been a bit neglected of late. I hope the mealy bug predators have a super huge binge feast on your cactus when they arrive.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, too.
Delete