Trichocereus Grandiflorus
Red Torch or Cherry Red flowers opening this week in the courtyard. These have never disappointed us for the last nine years or so since we purchased and brought home this cereus cactus from a local nursery. There will be more other than these two over the next few days and perhaps weeks, judging from the buds seen on other cacti in our xeriscape garden. Click on the image to enlarge.
More about Trichocereus Grandiflorus:
Trichocereus Grandiflorus “Torch Cactus” is similar to many other cacti – it requires little water and likes partial to full sun. The latter means that it’s best to be kept outdoors.Besides, with some newer hybrids growing up to 1-2 feet tall and 12 inches wide, the Torch Cactus may be a too bulky cactus for indoor keeping.The Torch Cactus is more cold-resistant than the typical cactus – it can survive in temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-9.4 degrees Celsius). While it still won’t survive harsh winters, it can do pretty well in mildly cold areas if kept dry.
Hedgehog Cactus Flowers
Three Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii) flowers opened today on the little cactus by the mailbox. These have been reliably opening on various of the native cacti around the property ever since we arrived at our retirement paradise nearly fifteen years ago. Click on the image above to view enlarged.
Saguaro Cactus Flower Buds
It’s not a big deal in the Arizona Desert to see Saguaro Cacti with flower buds in the springtime, but this is a first for our transplanted Saguaro in the front yard; the local cactus farm planted this cactus in our yard thirteen years ago when the cactus was only about four feet tall. Now, it is thirteen feet tall and currently sporting, for the first time, numerous buds which will bring forth the gorgeous Saguaro blossoms in a few weeks.
We had one other cactus planted at the same time across the driveway to the west that has had a few buds over the last couple of years, but nowhere as numerous as this cactus, as can be seen in the image above. We will update the website with photos of the flowers when they become available. Click on the image to enlarge.
Cactus Wren Nest
I have been observing a cactus wren nest in a cholla cactus by the west fence for a few days. I frequently see one of the wrens attending to the nest as though there may be hatchlings in it.
Today, I was lucky enough to see one of the wrens coming out of the nest. I had my Canon EOS Rebel SL3 with me on my morning walk and got the photo above. Canon Normal Program Mode with EF55-250 lens set at a focal length of 250mm.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Backyard Critters on
the Ides of March
A male cardinal “hiding” behind dead cholla branches:
A pair of cactus wrens on the block feeder:
A house finch looking at the camera:
Finally, a white-tailed antelope ground squirrel foraging:
Click on the images to enlarge.
