The cacti are focus stacked, the rock, time stacked.
What do you call a gathering of Cactii? Interesting.
I don’t normally focus stack with my macro lens outside. Even the slightest breeze moves plants around and you lose definition.
Cactii are sturdy, with large tubular or globular stems that don’t sway in the breeze. I threw a rock into the composition for fun.
The rock needs a connection.
Polygala Unplugged
Polygala flowers share a keel shaped petal feature with gorse.
Despite this similarity they belong to different families. (Polygalaceae and Fabaceae for gorse).
White Poppy flowers.
I’m taking a break from orchids.
Poppy flowers emerged from the bud orange in colour but died from lack of water. White flowers followed.
Make the most of Coreopsis, it never ends well.
A crazy flower arrangement. Shades of Jackson Pollock.
Gorse flowers and leaves.
Clear cut, curved, outlines. Smooth rounded surfaces painted fresh yellow.
Pansy’s Progress.
Pansies drop seeds where they grow or scatter them to the four winds. I’m not a gardener but have noticed pansies popping up around spaces vacated by the original plants.
This second or third-generation plant was not in good health when I found it in an unused planter. I dug it out and left it in a pot.
Gorse, a closer look, caution advised.
Gorse is all over the place like a weed. It is designated a weed in Aotearoa. This is a pity because the bright yellow flowers are very pretty. Most references deal with how to kill it. Gorse has its own defence and it will stab you with its bayonet shaped spines if you mess with it.
It was never a weed in Scotland however, it did get burned as a fuel.
Despite its very pretty flowers you rarely see it in supermarkets or garden centres. Apparently it’s in the same family as peas. I’ll have a closer look later.
Hidden in the long grass, Lomandra Longifola.
This grass is everywhere, a kind of goto green scrub for landscaping. It grows from rhizomes and, given half a chance, forms large tussocks.
Tiny flowers lurk in the long grass.
A first look at Crassula Pellucida.
This plant caught my attention in the plant shop. It looked a bit sad but perked up when I got it home.
Impatiens Walleriana, gender fluid.
The flowers are hermaphroditic when they emerge. Once pollen has been released the female side of the flower takes control and remaining male parts are dispensed with.
Dianthus Delight.
A liberal Greek translation of the genus title “Dianthus” is flower of the gods. I thought it referred to the two prominent twirly bits sticking up.
I’m a bird, I’m a plane, I’m Epidendrum Pacific Rose
If you like orchids. If you like orchids that are neurodiverse. If you like orchids that won’t rot and die. If you like orchids that just keep throwing out flower spikes that deliver for four or five weeks then Epidendrum Pacific Rose is the answer.
Rainy Day Marigold Show
Bright yellows and deep reds.
Where do the bright yellows and deep reds come from? Ask a chemist and the answer is xanthophyll.
Its a thrilling story of carrots and enzymes
If you can’t be bothered with the chemistry enjoy the pictures anyway.
A gif for chemists follows the pictures.
Portuluca Grandiflora, a first look.
With a name that suggests a higher status among flowering plants this wee beauty was purchased from my local plant shop in Kumeu. Terrific value at $2.50.
Just sitting watching the flowers grow, Echinacea.
Echinacea is such a fun plant to take pics of. It literally explodes into action
Oncidium Twinkle “Pink Profusion”
I picked up this cute little orchid at Tuckers Orchids in June. The wee flowers were stunning and it is showing signs of flowering again. I took some pics but didn’t get around to completing an investigation. I will when it flowers again. Its worth a look.
Cactulents in Red
Cactii and succulents have become a passion of mine recently. They are utterly captivating as they adapt to harsh environments with style. Today I just wanted to have fun taking a few pics.
Epidendrum Pacific Rose Part 1
Epidendrum Pacific Rose is apparently a cross between Epi. Pacific vista and Epi. Orange Glow. It’s easy to see which side of the family lent it’s colour genes to the mix..
Zygopetalum flower surprise.
There are flowering plants and then there are orchids. Orchids thrived in their adopted niche as they evolved a distinctive flower structure and root system.