Unknown Cactus

[alpines]

I would appreciate any help in identifying this plant. It is hardy in Zone 6, flowers early May, one flower per barrel. Barrel is 3 inches high and the flower is 2 inches across.
Thank you
Alan

[christian pfalz]

hello alan,
it looks like a echinocereus reichenbachii form, also hard here in germany.
cheers
chris

[alpines]

Thanks Chris,
I picked this up at a local plant sale three years ago and it wasn't labeled. It flowered this year for the first time.
Appreciate your input.
Cheers
Alan

[Lesley Cox]

What a litrtle beauty. I'm almost getting interested in cacti, having had 6 of my supermarket 7 flower for me.

[alpines]

Chris, Lesley,

I have actually had this identified as Echinocereus reichenbachii v. albispinus. by the guy I bought it from at the plant sale. It is a native of Oklahoma.
Can't praise this enough. As well as being winter hardy, and we have had one of the longest, hardest winters for years here in KY, this plant does not require (well, it doesn't get) overhead protection from the rain.

I don't know if it will set viable seed but I'll keep a look out.

[Maren]

That is lovely. I keep quite a few cacti but none outdoors and would love to try. Where does one get these? There are none in the UK. Maybe in Germany?

[ThomasB]

Hello Maren,

I've seen hardy cactus offered by several shops here in Germany. Just one example is Kakteen-Haage, europes oldest cactus nursery at my home town. Have a look but unfortunately there are just a few pics online.

[christian pfalz]

hello,
some pics from my outdoor collection...
echinocereus triglochidiatus

echinocereus pectinatus red form

another echinocereus

escobaria minima

here on an yucca strunk...

and the last one...

cheers
chris

[alpines]

Great photos of exquisite plants. Definitely on my 'wants list'. Thanks for sharing Chris.
What is the name of the pink flowered plant in photo 4?
Thanks
Alan

[alpines]

Ooops. My mistake. I see it is Escobaria minima.

[christian pfalz]

 

[JohnLonsdale]

Hi Alan,

To purchase more hardy cacti within North America, look at Roger Barlow's Beaver Creek Greenhouses offerings (he's in BC) or Steven Brack's at Mesa Garden in NM.  Both have incredible cacti.  Rogers are potted, Steven ships them completely bare root, quality and prices are excellent.  I'm growing around 200 hardy cacti, mainly from these 2 sources.  They are spectacular right now.

Best,

J.

[Maggi Young]

Hi Alan,

To purchase more hardy cacti within North America, look at Roger Barlow's Beaver Creek Greenhouses offerings (he's in BC) or Steven Brack's at Mesa Garden in NM.  Both have incredible cacti.  Rogers are potted, Steven ships them completely bare root, quality and prices are excellent.  I'm growing around 200 hardy cacti, mainly from these 2 sources.  They are spectacular right now.

Best,

J.

We'd love to see photos, John.......

[JohnLonsdale]

Hi Alan,

To purchase more hardy cacti within North America, look at Roger Barlow's Beaver Creek Greenhouses offerings (he's in BC) or Steven Brack's at Mesa Garden in NM.  Both have incredible cacti.  Rogers are potted, Steven ships them completely bare root, quality and prices are excellent.  I'm growing around 200 hardy cacti, mainly from these 2 sources.  They are spectacular right now.

Best,

J.

We'd love to see photos, John.......

There are a few here - http://www.edgewoodgardens.net/Plants_album/The%20Plants%20-%20%20Complete%20Collection/Cactaceae/index.html

Lots more to follow when I get chance to process and upload them.  The flowers are amazing but like cyclamen they are worth growing for the 'leaves' alone.  The form and shape of the plants and the patterns and colors of the spines are remarkable all year round.

[alpines]

Thanks for that John. I'd never dreamed of growing cacti....until this spring......but seems like I have the climate for some of the cold hardy beauties.
Great to hear from you again. Don't know where I can get a decent pint on this side of the pond do you? 
Cheers
Alan