Cactii recovery operation.
John West John West

Cactii recovery operation.

Five months ago I repotted a number of plants that had languished for a year in the tiny pots I found them in. Most exploded into life but one fared less well.

This is a happy tale of Cactii who survive the rigours of life on my deck in Kumeū.

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Fuchsia plants and the flowering frog.
John West John West

Fuchsia plants and the flowering frog.

I first became acquainted with fuchsia flowers more than 40 years ago during my “pre camera” days.

A dream chemist’s career in Research and Development with Glaxo Laboratories and Syntex Pharmaceuticals was history.

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Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii, I think.
John West John West

Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii, I think.

My plant recognition app identified this cactus. The flower opened incompletely in the late afternoon sun. It wasn’t the first small Gymnocalycium plant that has failed to open fully for me.

After a quick read through articles by “cactus people” the phrase “incomplete opening” cropped up a few times.

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Cactulents in Red
John West John West

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.

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Pōhutukawa Season
John West John West

Pōhutukawa Season

I love the flowers on this tree. Nothing more to say on the first day of 2025. Happy New Year Everyone

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Streptocarpus Parviflorum with delicate blue flowers is worth a second look.
John West John West

Streptocarpus Parviflorum with delicate blue flowers is worth a second look.

I bought this plant on a whim. It looked tired and jaded and past its best in the plant shop. It did have several curled-up stems that were beginning to grow; I felt sorry for it. The flower has an unusual stigma and anther configuration. I’ll leave it alone and have a closer look later. Our new cat, Freddy, has also taken a closer look. He broke several flower stems in the process.

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