Succulents And Bonsai
Succulents & Bonsai
Barrel Cactus
The barrel cactus [ Ferocactus wislizenii ] can be identified by its thick [2 foot diameter], barrel shaped body and long hooked spines. The yellow/red flowers and yellow fruit always grow at the top of the plant. It is most often used for two large-stemmed North American genera, Ferocactus and Echinocactus.
Echinocactus comprises six species native to Mexico. Plants are more or less globose, usually growing to about 60 cm (2 feet) high and about 30 cm (1 foot) in diameter. The genus is distinguished primarily by its numerous wavy ribs and elongated fruits. The golden barrel cactus (E. grusonii) is a common desert ornamental, noted for its striking golden spines; the plant is an endangered species in the wild.
Barrel cactus are cultivated by plant nurseries as an ornamental plant. They are considered easy to grow and relatively fast growing. They may produce round offshoots.
Barrel cactus can fall over because they grow based on sun orientation. They usually grow towards the south to prevent surface tissue sunburn, giving the name "compass cactus."
It is one of the most popular cacti in cultivation and has increasingly become popular as an architectural accent plant in contemporary garden designs.
The cactus is considered easy and relatively fast growing in warmer climates around the world. The plants do have some basic requirements; an average minimum winter temperature of 12 °C (53.6 °F); and good drainage with less watering in winter. Excess water in cool periods may lead to rot. Golden Barrels are hardy to about −8 °C (15 °F) for brief periods.
Beyond Central Mexico, Echinocactus grusonii specimens may also be seen in collections of desert plants in many botanical gardens.
Ficus Microcarpa
Ficus microcarpa is a small, easy bonsai often found in DIY and home furniture stores.
Facts about Ficus microcarpa
Name – Ficus microcarpa
Family – Moraceae (mulberry family)
Type – indoor plant
Height – 16 to 40 inches (0.4 to 1m)
Soil – indoor plant mix, well drained
Exposure: indirect but luminous
Foliage: evergreen
Watering: moderate
It is great for growing in any home and doesn’t require any complicated follow-up. This indoor bonsai will do great both in nice living rooms and in cozy bathrooms, as long as it gets light and proper moisture.
Botanical name – Mammillaria spp.
Common name – Mammillaria, pillow cactus, cushion cactus, and more depending on the species
Family – Cactaceae
Type – Cactus
Height – 16 inches (40 cm)
Use – pot
Exposure – light, but without direct light
Soil – sandy, gravely, well-drained, dry
Planting – spring
Flowering – May to June
Native to Latin America and to the Southern United States, the Mammillaria genus includes 180 different species, among which you’ll find: M. candida, M. longiflora, and also M. plumosa…
However, those species most commonly found in garden stores are without a doubt Mammillaria elongata and Mammillaria matudae.
These small cylindrical or spherical cacti never grow any larger than 8 inches across for 16 inches in height (20 cm wide and 40 cm tall). Their areoles are equipped with spikes which, depending on the species, are sometimes covered with woolly, silky strands. These cacti often start off as solitary growers, then bunch out as many spontaneous side shoots appear.
They flower during the day with funnel-shaped blooms set all around the top crown. Each flower ranges from 1/4th in to nearly 2 inches (7 to 40 mm), and colors range from white, yellow orange to pink and red, depending on the species. Blooming generally occurs in spring, and each flower is followed by small oval fruits that are green or red.
