Autumn colors

Well past the autumnal equinox the cacti are displaying a range of beautiful colors as they get ready for winter.


Cylindropuntia whipplei

Cylindropuntia whipplei is turning reddish as it prepares for winter. Some of the not fully developed stem segments are going yellow-orange and will probably be shed before winter. The pictured plant is growing in a pot outside all year, only protected by a house wall. I had a C. whipplei growing unprotected in a bed, but it didn’t make it through last winter.

Opuntia humifusa was very popular with the bumble bees when it flowered and their activity has now resulted in many fruits.


Opuntia humifusa fruits

The glaucous coating gives the fruits an almost velvety sheen. I don’t know if O. humifusa is self-compatible or if the fruits are the result of hybridizing with other plants – I’ll sow the seeds and know in a couple of years ;-)

One of my Cylindropuntia viridiflora plants is growing completely unprotected in a bed. It had a hard time last winter and is now shedding some of the damaged branches that are turning deep Tyrian purple in the process.


Cylindropuntia viridiflora

The plant grew prolifically during summer so I hope it’s not completely set back by the upcoming winter.