Top Ten Cactus and Succulent Blooms for 2009
But mostly cactus blooms. Come and relive the magic with me as we count down the Top Ten Cactus and Succulent Blooms (that I was able to photograph at the nursery) for 2009.
Not making the Top Ten, but still making this post, are extra bonus flowers!
Lewisia cotyledon in a shocking development did not make the Top Ten this year! Oh no!
Schlumbergera orssichiana aka Christmas Cactus – a very reliable bloomer in many happy colors.
Euphorbia flanaganii – the structure you’re seeing is also known as an inflorescence as Euphorbia blooms are tiny. The plant is also known as a Medusa’s Head.
Ferocactus tiburonensis – a classic striped barrel cactus bloom, and yet…
You’d think with all those runner-ups, I’d have just made a Top Twenty list but that would be wrong. And now, onto the Top Ten! I’m so excited…
10. Aloe humilis
9. Mammillaria bocasana
8. Neoregelia rubra – this made the Top Ten Bromeliad list too! Wow!
7. Eriosyce esmereldana – look at the extent of that cephalium! Now that’s a mature cactus.
6. Opuntia violacea is a very reliable bloomer, as are all opuntias. But this one has extra colors. Extra Colors!
5. Clusia orthoneura or the “Porcelain Flower” which it is indeed.
4a. Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi – some of the other Kalanchoes are better known for their blooms, but this one is the best of 2009.
4b. Rebutia krainziana – this was the best of the rebutias. And the rebutias are such a beautiful blooming genus.
3. Parodia ottonis is another small cactus with spectacular flowers. I don’t think you would disagree. Last year the P. crassigibba won out, and really gave it a run for it’s money this year, but there was no loss of certainty in this choice.
2. Echinocereus grandiflora Hybrid (Echinocereus x Echinopsis) I chose a pink flower for this, but the yellow is pretty damn nice too, so here’s both.
And the number 1 bloom of 2009 is….
1. Echinopsis subdenudata – this is the perennial winner, I mean, what can you do, like look at it! Holy moly it’s too much to bear. I’m blinded by it’s magnificence.
