NPR is running a story about interesting bark

And they point out one of my favorite trees:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130811023&sc=fb&cc=fp

Great article.  I like the Blue Gum Eucalyptus also.  That's the tree they get the oil to make Vicks Vaporub out of.  There is a grove of the Blue Gum Eucalyptus Trees on Maui, about halfway up Haleakala, and it is magical.  Picking up a huge shipment of plants today, so I'll be spending the next day or two in the garden.  Watch for updates soon!

Liliko'i, Passiflora edulis is in bloom

Finally the wait is over.  After watching this Passionflower(Passionfruit) grow larger and larger on the fence and clothesline in my backyard, and wondering all the while when it is going to bloom.  Finally it has, and it was worth waiting for.  Starting to take cuttings/trim it back, is probably what has triggered the large, showy 3" diameter blooms.  Dark purple centers surrounded by white and a scent that enchants the area.  My son describes the scent as "like sugar" and while I agree that it is a sweet smell, I fiind it closer to honeysuckle.



12 inch potted plants are available in 4 inch pots for $11.99

Beautiful Opuntia cochenillifera!

I just picked up about 100 lbs of Opuntia cochenillifera.  Thank goodness it's spineless, because I think the flowers are spectacular.  I especially love how the flower buds start from green, to a bright yellow and then eventually to reddish orange flowers.  Maybe they should call it the 'Stoplight Cholla'. 

Cuttings available by the flat-rate boxfull. $19.99  Will have rooted plants available  Dec 2010. 

Makes EXCELLENT turtle or tortoise food. 

Here I am again: October 2010, The Opuntia cochenillifera is directly behind me (photo below) with these giant bouquets of pups and flowers (shown above).  To the right and left are Opuntia ficus-inda, Prickly Pear cactus.

Pleased to offer: Passiflora caerulea, Blue Passion Flower

These are new in stock, thanks to Jen who mastered taking cuttings from the huge mother plant.  This is also the host plant for native hawaiian butterflies and each morning I am greeted by several of the fluttering guests as I sip my morning coffee. 

Plants are about 12".  Cuttings rooted firmly in 4" pots, offered at $11.99 while supplies last.

Banisteriopsis caapi shortage

So.  To no avail I attempted to buy some local Banisteriopsis caapi.  While the dried specimen at uncommoncactus.com is perfect, live plants in the USA remain elusive.

Toothpick Cactus, Stensonia coryne

In it's habitat at the Ace hardware.

http://www.hear.org/starr/images/species/?q=stetsonia+coryne&o=plants

Some pictures from the last year.

all pictures copyright Justin Myers 2010

Word of the day, and cactus to save the planet?

Word of the day is:  Liana

and Can planting cactus save the planet?  Less water more stored carbon than trees.  Let me know in the comments below.

A trip to the Honolulu Zoo

Ok, so the orchid show wasn't really what the kids wanted to do.  What they REALLY wanted was to hit the Zoo. 

This Opuntia sp? was gargantuan.  As you can see in this next picture:

What a weekend!  I'm wiped out after al the excitement.  Time to take a break and upload a few new products over at http://uncommoncactus.com/ocart/  Thanks for stopping by.