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Monday, September 12, 2011

COULDN'T WAIT FOR BLOOM DAY

≈My Texas fishook cactus, Ferocactus hamatacanthus, sometimes called Texas barrel cactus, couldn't wait for bloom day. I noticed 2 of the 5 buds were getting larger each day. As soon as the sun reached the plant this morning they opened.

I'm really amazed at how they manage to push their way through those curved 'fishook' spines. I don' think I have ever got close to this plant without being snagged, and the hook is not easy to remove. That was how the plant came into my possession a couple of years ago at the cactus sale. I picked it up and it snagged my shirt. 'Take me home' it said. It has been a star performer though cold and heat.

It flowered in response to watering having been dry all summer.

11 comments:

  1. What a showy bloom, for such a deadly looking cactus. You have to be careful around that one!
    :)

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  2. Thanks for the great pictures of that plant. I've only seen that barrel used in a few places here.

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  3. Wow! It's like Beauty and the Beast. I hope you had a long lens!

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  4. Sue- It is pretty deadly. I pulled it out of the ground one time when I didn't realize I was hooked.
    Desert dweller- Not too many survive our strange weather in Texas. Neither one thing or the other. This one does.
    Danger garden- i am sure you are also used to gardening with car.
    Victoria- How right you are. I love nothing better than the cactus in flower.

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  5. Beautiful!!! I love how the cactus are often so showy. Nice surprises! Great shots!

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  6. That looks so beautiful and dangerous all at the same time. The macro is a flickr shot in my book.

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  7. I'd say anything that can survive and bloom in this kind of weather is a keeper! Gorgeous flower.

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  8. That bloom is so large for a cactus...lovely! The yellow is that 'happy' yellow...very nice.

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  9. Amazing what a little h2o will do.

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  10. Never heard of a fish hook cactus, it has an elegant flower. I would not want our nearly blind dog to stumble into it though.

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