Thursday, July 7, 2011

Visit to Spicewood Spines

This past Saturday, Amy and I went on a road trip of sorts with our husbands to Spicewood, Texas.  I'm really not sure what all is in Spicewoods, but Spicewood Spines was our destination.  In case you're wondering what that's all about...succulents of course!  We ended up going to another really cool place in Austin called East Austin Succulents, but I'll do a separate post on that one. 

It's probably a good thing that Spicewood Spines is an hour and a half from my house.  I could get in a lot of trouble if it was any closer!   I opted to try Amy's technique, walk through everything to look before going back and picking out what you want to take home.  Normally, I walk and grab, so it took more than a little self control on my part.  My husband was funny too, I really think deep down he likes them as much as I do, ok...maybe just a tiny bit bit less!  

The first one is great, and I had never seen it in any of the nurseries around here.  The picture doesn't do her justice, she's segmented like a cucumber with scalloped edges.  The leaves and twirly vines are reminiscent of grape vines.  Love it!!

Cissus Cactiformis 'Cucumber Cactus'

Huernia leachii
I couldn't resist the next one either, I've dubbed her "my little gourd".  The pumpkin looking seed pods are too cute, and are now covered with a pantyhose foot so that I can catch them when they explode.  They are supposed to have three seeds in each pod, but without the "catcher", chances are I would never find the seeds.  
Jatropha cathartica
This next little Kalanchoe was another great find.  I bought another variety as well, but I can't get the photo to upload.  The other one isn't serrated.  What made this a fun find was that we had just seen a rather large one of these at another nursery with a hefty $24 price tag with no identification.  I had taken a picture of it with my phone, so after a quick check to confirm she and her counterpart made it to the basket.   
Kalanchoe sysepaia v. dissecta
 This little lady is in the same family as the 'Vick's Plant', but smells more like Pine-o-Pine.  I've never actually smelled that particular brand, so I'm taking Amy's word for it.  She's so much more interesting though because she has chubby little scalloped leaves.  I was not coming home without her in the box.
Plectranthus
How could I not bring home this one with perfectly circular leaves, it's also the first one of these I have in my collection.
Xerosicyos danguyi
I almost squealed, yes, you read that right, when I found this next one!  I came across one of these last year at a Whole Food store, but lost her in the greenhouse mishap.  She's definitely not as glorious as she will be, but the promise is there!  It shouldn't be too long before the entire stem is covered in leaves and offshoots appear at the base.   
Portulaca molokiniensis
As we're checking out, it came up that we were from San Antonio and I mentioned that I had actually read about them on Not So Angry Redhead's blog.  The owner says, "Oh yes, Not So Angry Redhead has been here before."  I'm not sure why I thought that was so neat, but I did! 

Mandy



7 comments:

  1. Yaaaaay!!! I'm so glad that you went there! I was there just a couple weeks ago. Isn't it a totally awesome place? Btw, it's Spicewood, and the Jatropha berlandieri is Jatropha cathartica. You have one now as well!! I also have a Cissus cactiformis, and the funny leaves and curly vines? It IS in the grape family! Howcool,howcool,howcool. I'm so happy you went! :D

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  2. Thank you for catching the names, I went back and edited so it would be right! I thought you had the Jatropha when I saw this one, I could not pass it up! I really enjoyed how they had everything labeled clearly and how organized they were. I'm looking forward to the next visit already!

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  3. Oh, I am so jealous of you girls!!! :) What a great haul you came home with , Mandy!!! Soon, you can open your own Mandy Gardens!!!

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  4. My portulaca molokiniensis lost most of its leaves and looks like the one you show in the photo you posted. Do you know what causes the leaf loss? I know some leaf shedding is normal during dormant seasons, but I'm not sure how much is normal- I've just had the plant for about six months. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Jaymelee

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    1. Jaymelee,

      I'm not exactly sure what causes the leaf loss. I think it might have something to do with overwatering though. Mine seems to lose leaves if I water it too much; from the hose or natural rain. I try to keep mine somewhere that I can control how much water it gets. Is yours getting full sun? I know they like full sun also.

      Good luck with your plant, I hope you're able to keep it going...my fingers are crossed for mine as well!

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  5. The Plectranthus with pine-o-pine smell is most likely Plectranthus socotranus.

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  6. The Plectranthus with pine-o-pine smell is most likely Plectranthus socotranus.
    The Elk horn one is a hybdrid Kalanchoe, available under the commercial name "Lucky Bells".

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