This cholla sits on the embankment behind our house. Today it sure looked pretty against the partly cloudy Wickenburg skies. Very soon now, the cholla’s flowers will begin to open. Click on the image to enlarge.
Home & Garden
The New Homestead in 3D
This is a view of the new house taken from the west property line. I climbed up the hill and hiked along the fence until I could get an unobstructed view of the house and yard.
The RV Pull-through is at the left next to the patio. Verna’s Tomatoes and beans are planted in the pots next to the master suite wall. The back courtyard gate has yet to be installed in this view.
You will need your free pair of 3D glasses to view the 3D anaglyph picture. Of course, if you don’t have 3D glasses, you can see the 2D version here
Claret Cup Cactus Flowers
Bob and I took Bear to the vet today to get her immunizations updated. Just outside the vet’s office there is a cactus garden. I took some photos of this claret cup cactus fully in bloom. Click on the image to enlarge.
Acanthorhipsalis Monacantha
Bob says this cactus holds the record for the longest name of the plant to the tiniest flower size. The tiny flowers are no more than a quarter of an inch in width.
These two flowers opened today with dozens more getting ready to open soon. I took this photo this morning. Click on the image to enlarge.
According to cactusshop.com:
Acanthorhipsalis monacantha is an epiphytic cactus of the Rhipsalis family with flattened or 3-angled waxy green stems that become pendant with age. Acanthorhipsalis monacantha has springtime flowers that are a bright, golden orange, unusual for Rhipsalis, which usually have light or ivory flowers. This plant, as with all Rhipsalis, prefers filtered light and slightly more humidity than other cacti. Soil should be largely composed of organic material, such as peat or sphagnum moss. Water thoroughly when top of soil is dry to the touch. Prefers days that are 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Prefers nighttime temperatures no cooler than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, especially in winter. Protect from frost.
The Patriot Mailbox
I thought it would be nice for the summer and our upcoming July 4th celebration, to put some patriotic decorations out. I got some bouquets of plastic flowers the other day with a red, white and blue theme and placed them around the base of our new mailbox. Very Pretty, don’t you think? Click on the image to enlarge.
Hedgehog Cactus Flowers
What a beautiful Arizona day! With temperatures looming around 90° this afternoon, the cactus flowers are anxious to open and share their beauty with the world. This pair of pink flowers opened today along with several other flowers opening on the hedgehog cactus in front of the new house.
