More Bloomin' Cactus: Parodia Uebelmanniana

Here's a lovely cactus with origins in the uplands of Argentina. I don't see this one for sale often here, and I've grown this one outdoors for several years now. First, the buds....

And then, the bloom!

For me, growing Parodia indoors or outdoors has been a real dilemma. Indoors, their water intake is carefully controlled, so they stay nice and dry most of the time. But they really need outdoor sunshine. They never bloomed indoors. Outdoors, I worry that they are going to rot with the summer rains, but so far, it's a better environment for them. I made sure the soil in their patch was augmented with lots of perlite, so any monsoon-type rains would drain away from the roots quickly and  prevent rot. I don't fertlize them often at all, maybe just twice a year. So far, so good....

A Lovely Cactus Flower: Rebutia wessneriana (?)

Naturally, this little guy was simply labeled "Cactus" when I bought it last year at a nursery. Well, duh.

It's sometimes hard to tell one cactus from another, as many look similar to each other. Until they bloom, that is! Then it's time to pull out the cactus guide and do some educated guessing.

This is cactus-blooming month in my garden, and this amazing orange-red flower makes me think this little guy is a Rebutia wessneriana, also known as R. krainziana.  It's a small, clumping cactus from Bolivia. It can handle a little more frost, but can't stand super-hot, midday sun or prolonged intense heat. It's somewhat prone to rot and can't stand too much water or dampness. Each flower lasts for several days, and there are three to five buds per mature cactus. Adorable!