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.
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11 comments:

  1. SueSeptember 12, 2011 at 1:28 PM

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

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  2. Desert DwellerSeptember 12, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    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. danger gardenSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Beautiful!

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  4. Victoria SummerleySeptember 13, 2011 at 1:57 AM

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

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  5. Rock rose September 13, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    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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  6. khakiSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:10 AM

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

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  7. Patrick's GardenSeptember 13, 2011 at 2:48 PM

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

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  8. Morning Glories in Round RockSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:09 PM

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

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  9. The Sage ButterflySeptember 14, 2011 at 7:51 AM

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

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  10. greggoSeptember 14, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Amazing what a little h2o will do.

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  11. Randy EmmittSeptember 15, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    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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