"Fat Plants" : cacti,succulents, caudiciforms, whatever..

[ChrisB]

Sedum pachyphyllum

[ChrisB]

Sedum adolphi.  One that was outdoors for the summer but is in the greenhouse over winter.

[ChrisB]

Graptopetalum amethystinum

[Maggi Young]

 This blog shows photos of an outdoor cactus garden in Poland -
http://ewainthegarden.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/cactus-gardening-outdoor-in-temperate.html     

[johnw]

Chris  - Nice colouring on your Sedum pachyphyllum.  I think your Graptopetalum amethystinum is mis-labelled as it should have angled edges.  It looks like one here that I have yet to id but then again mine has pointy tips which you see in some shots but nowhere seen on your plant.  These and Graptoverias are a nightmare to id, so many alike.

Fascinating that 2n=640+/-  I'd never guess it a Sedum.

johnw

[ChrisB]

 Hi John
The plant was Ray Stephensons, not mine.  He can be wrong on labelling but not often... He wrote the big tome on sedum, though this particular plant isn't one...  I think you can probably find him on a web site for the sedum soc if you want to ask about it.

[johnw]

Chris  - Much more likely mine is mis-labelled.  I have googled amethystinum and at least 3 different plants are shown.  I think Ray is likely to be correct then.

What I have as amethystinum may be a Gratopetalum paraguayense but could also be 'Opalina'??

johnw

[FrazerHenderson]

check out the following really good internet resource for references crassulaceae.net/

[johnw]

Frazer  - Thanks, it's an excellent site though the Grapto section is far from complete I know see how to properly navigate within a genus!

I'm still with four possibilities -  paraguayense, Marquise de Sévigné, Claret and Blanche-Neige.  Given their propensitiy to change both shape and colouration in different growing sites and conditions I will have to wait for flowers instead. Come to think of it I can't remember these flowering in the past.

The culprit's photo #1...

Now compare it with this one (#2) which is very close but has a sturdier habit without a tendency to flop or break.

johnw

[johnw]

Four others I should get straightened out.

The first I think is Cotyledon orbiculata v. orbiculata.
The second appears close to #3 - a Pachypytum sp. -  but notice the few older leaves which were, and still are, to some extent showing a bit of greenishness with a flush of pink, at that point it was moved to a very hot sunny site and changed its colouring dramatically. Unfortunately no 'before shot' that I can find.
The third I had as Pachyphytum sp.  Although close to #2 it has always been pure white regardless of the site.
The fourth and last I have labelled Pachyphytum oviferum but it doesn't look compressed enough.

johnw

[ruweiss]

Some weeks ago, some cacti enjoyed the hot and sunny weather:

[fixpix]

IS there a list of really hardy succulents/cacti?
I'd like to start a collection over here.
Grow from seeds/cuttings etc and later on sell them.

I know all about Sempervivum, Sedum, Orostachys, Delosperma, Opuntia but I was wondering if I'm missing some.

I'm sure there's a bunch I have never heard of.

BUT they would need to withstand both harsh winters and harsh summers (drought and temps. reaching at least 35 C).

Please help!

[johnw]

fixpix - Panayoti Kelaidis gave a talk here on this subject this past June.  Here are some of the ones he mentioned.  Click on succulents on the top also. 

http://prairiebreak.blogspot.ca/p/cacti.html

He said the best source of particularly hardy forms was in Canada at Beaver Creek Greenhouses.  For once we luck out.

http://www.rockgardenplants.com/plantcatmain.htm

Some even do well in this foggy climate - here a pic from the rock garden in Truro, NS.

johnw

[krisderaeymaeker]

Hildewintera 'Humkes Kleine Gelbe '

[FrazerHenderson]

Xerophilia

This online magazine is excellent. If you've not yet read it then I do recommend that you take a look. It is free, online and ready to download in low or high quality. It is excellent.

www.xerophilia.ro