It an Echinopsis, not Echinocactus. My fingers were not listening to my brain :-).

randy

Absolutely GORGEOUS bloom and a really cool shot of the bee. Thanks for sharing with us!

WOW! I think I said that about the last photos I saw of yours! You must tell me though - aside from the gorgeous photo and stunning shade of pink (not to forget the equally handsome bee) - how in the heck does one get cacti to flower (other than Christmas Cactus)??? I have a number of cacti that seem to get larger every year, but very few have bloomed. I had a Mammilaria bloom once, but it has since gone on to cacti heaven. AND I also had Epiphyllum oxypetalum bloom last year - I think a total of two blooms, but they were spectacular. I'm hoping it will do it again this year. I almost missed it! My other epis have not bloomed, my Aporocactus flagelliformis hasn't bloomed yet, and I have others with the same sad story. Is there a secret? I want blooms like yours! Are there cacti that are easier to entice into blooming?

Are your cactus imprisoned indoors year round? If so, that might be something to think about. All of my weeds are on a seasonal release program. Spring thru fall they get to hang outside with the big boys :-).

randy

Oh no - they all get hauled outdoors during spring and summer. Usually takes at least half a day to get all my plants outside! My collection is probably small compared to yours - but hoping for a flower one of these days!

Well, a good fast draining mix helps to keep them healthy. I generally keep a 15-9-12 9-month time-release fertilizer on the soil. I think many people frown of regular fertilizer for cactus, but I donÂt se why not.

It might come down to how you hang your toilet paper. Mine didnÂt bloom much when the paper went over the roll. Now that it goes under, they are bloomin' fools :-).

randy

Beautiful pictures. Thanks. EP

Wow, amazing pics as usual Randy! Very pretty flowers.

WindsurfGirl