Micromegas Posted December 4, 2008 (edited) A drive along the mighty river. Brigessii, the fattest San Pedro ever (40cm girth), unknown, the river, a wild datura wrightii, a huge echinopisis in flower with cylidraopuntia (?), t. grandiflorus/huascha and yes, finally, the elusive tree climbing San Pedro. Heard of around campfires and in bed time stories, rumoured in cactus collecting circles everywhere, yet unknown to science until Dec 4 2008. A day out in the country. A few different spots. Well worth the 350+km round trip. Enjoy Edited December 4, 2008 by Micromegas 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Micromegas Posted December 4, 2008 Just in case you missed it 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hebrew Posted December 4, 2008 fuckgin awesome stuff micro i hope you got some cuttings where possible great photos man Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
watertrade Posted December 4, 2008 thats great Micro. looks like a fun day out thanks for sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiral Posted December 4, 2008 DUUUUUUUDE....where is that..that is insane...you lucky bastid..excellent stuff. H> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teotzlcoatl Posted December 4, 2008 Most interesting... A new form of Trichocereus... Do you think it's just a fluke? Or a new type of Trichocereus cactus? Where are you exactly? Some-where in South America, I assume? But where? Excellent work! Keep it up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ace Posted December 4, 2008 That Bridgesii is orgasm worthy There's some fantastic looking specimens there - thanks for sharing micro! The tree climber is hilarious It seems to have some fairly long spines - was thinking PC at first but on closer inspection it must be another pedro clone? The really girthy pedro however looks to be PC under very favourable conditions, yeah? Teotz, SA also stands for another place - South Australia I think this might be the location of this mysterious new clone The name drop 'the mighty river' might indicate that these were found long the longest river in Australia. My guess, anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PD. Posted December 4, 2008 mmmmm nothin better than a pedro hunt. Awesome stuff Micro, good to see your still out there lookin Beautiful finds mate! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kushizm Posted December 4, 2008 Very very cool, awesome pics and read!!! Lucky man! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Micromegas Posted December 5, 2008 (edited) The tree climber is indeed a new form of pedro AFAIK. Definately not PC. A new pic has been added so you can see exactly how different it is. Note the terminating growing tips, which is why it falls over readily, and long spines. Ace, I've added another pic so you can judge for yourself about the trich. Also, definately not a PC, IMHO. Too fat. Too blue. Sometimes good old south australia can rival even the andes. And it was really nice to see the river as well Edited December 5, 2008 by Micromegas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strangebrew Posted December 5, 2008 I think the tree climber is the famous SA sausage plant - macrogonus if you believe Huntington Gardens. Awesome find. ;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yawning Man Posted December 5, 2008 (edited) Micro, you take a good picture my friend. That bridgesii is the most healthy, beautiful looking cacti i've ever seen I wonder how old it is. Interesting how that trich grows up trees, genetic mutation maybe? Nice looking pedro as well, certainly a phat barstard lol. I always knew there was something cool about SA. cheers Edited December 5, 2008 by peaceful_son Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlackDragon Posted December 5, 2008 (edited) Nice pics Micro That Bridge is what i would consider var "Bruce", Pretty sure its the same plant, it has put on some nice growth since. Edit, Just checked the forums and couldnt find it, so here tis again, 2005 How big/tall is she now? (if it is the same plant) That "SA Sausage/Huntington" macro, ive seen multiple clumps as large as 20m+ wide thru that country. Incredibly sprawling plant. Would have been planted out that way quite some time ago. Neat growth paterns. Cool pics. BD Edited December 5, 2008 by BlackDragon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Micromegas Posted December 5, 2008 Interesting. That is definatley the same plant. In that case Bruce has grown extremely quickly! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiral Posted December 5, 2008 Be interesting to do a soil analysis and see whats in it...be great for us home gardeners to learn and perhaps try and mimic those conditions...seriously great Cactus.... H. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Posted December 5, 2008 absolutely sensational! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Micromegas Posted December 5, 2008 Floodplain or alluvial floodplain. Sandy loam. High watertable/access to ground water. Tho the tree climber has been observed doing as well on red mallee sands, poor drainage, low rainfall, very low nutrient profile, deep water table. Go figure, strange beasties them cacti. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheFriendlyPlanter Posted December 5, 2008 Holy CRAP Batman! Awesome pics micro, esp the Bruce! I can't believe I already have a cutting of that thing. I think I'll go into mass propagation, aerole style. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bit Posted December 5, 2008 For the love of god look at the size of that opuntia!! no wonder they're classified as a weed! That bridgesii is clearly an ancient plant that was severly trimmed/chopped back 2004ish (look at the diameter of the stumps!), and it's massive root structure has fuelled crazy growth :D thanks for the photos... itsmad :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlackDragon Posted December 5, 2008 (edited) Just for height/growth comparison, the tree climber macro just as it started to enter the branches.... You can see two or three arms (to the left and top behind) starting to lean into the branches. Crazy growth for only three years as you can see in micro's pic. I imagine as the arms were growing thru the Eucy they eventually got too long, the had no support, high winds(maybe) snapped them (as you can see at the top of one of the arms) and fell. Now it is turning around and headin back toward the sky. I recon BD. Edited December 5, 2008 by BlackDragon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerbil Posted December 5, 2008 absolutely stunning, thankyou for sharing!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hebrew Posted December 5, 2008 awesome photos blackdragon and micro. good to see these old ones out in the countryside Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob-bob Posted December 5, 2008 oh god.... thats nice.. thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
~shameless~ Posted December 5, 2008 Thanks micro, for sharing the photo's and some growing condition info too, that photo of the 'bruce' three years later is really interesting!! Worth while topic!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites