Setiechinopsis mirabilis in bloom

[estación seca]

Now transferred to Echinopsis mirabilis, this is better known to hobbyists as Setiechinopsis. It is from Argentina.

This is one of the easiest of all cacti to grow and flower, in any collection. It will grow and bloom in full Arizona sun and heat if watered well, or in a windowsill almost anywhere in the world. Flowers are 7" / 18cm long, nocturnal, and have a fresh, sweet fragrance. The plant flowers regularly through warm weather. Even if not pollinated, each flower sets a fruit; seed is very easy to sprout and grow on, usually flowering by the 3rd growing season. Fruits are visible in this photos. They develop one longitudinal split, and seeds spill out.

Echinopsis have furry or spiny flowers. Fuzzy old flowers scars are visible on this plant's body. Cactus flowers are short to long tubes with neither bracts nor sepals; there is a gradual transition from scales to pigmented or white structures resembling petals, and all together are called tepals.

This species grows slender cylindric stems that sometimes clump from the base. The epidermis is a curious grey-brown color rather than green. Spines are short and not very stout, so it is easy to pick stems up without getting stuck. It has a reputation for being short-lived, and flowering itself to death, but this has not been my experience.

I grew this plant from seed. It is one of the easiest of all cacti from seed, and hobbyists recommend learning with this species. I am growing it as a dangling plant, which is not its usual habit. It is also extremely easy from cuttings.

The other hanging plant is a Rhipsalis species, and epiphytic jungle cactus. The large, spiky-leaved plant is a cycad, Dioon spinulosum. There is one visible leaf in the upper right corner of Cestrum nocturnum.