Can there grow cacti here ..? In a pine forest? Mats Rolfson
was surprised what he found at Hualapai mountains, near Kingman
in Arizona. At a first glance it looked like a typical pine forest
in Sweden.
A creeping Opuntia spec.
in buds growing in pine forest. |
Escobaria vivipara
among pine needles!
This is a very variable and wide spread species. It is a perfect
plant for a rock garden and can survive even the harsh, wet and
cold winters in Sweden where the temperature vary from +10 to
-30 C. I have tried one or two clones of E. vivipara with rather
good result. I have three or four new forms from different localities
which will be placed outside or in an unheated greenhouse the
winter 99/00. Two forms are from Canada. It will be very interesting
to see how they will like the Swedish weather.
|
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
growing under a bush. A very variable and freely clumping species
with flowers in red and orange. Some populations very cold resistant
and possible to grow outside in Sweden. This plant was found
at Hualapai mountains, Kingman, Arizona at 2900 metres. |
Opuntia spec. near Phoenix.
A bushy species with cylindrical stems
and fantastic flowers in yellow-orange. |
Echinocereus engelmannii
v. nicholii has
bright yellow spines
and somewhat smaller pink flowers. It can form large and decorative
clusters. |
Mammillaria microcarpa in full flower at Organ Pipe National
Park. An easy species that do well in cultivation. |