My best guess would be a Kelly Griffin hybrid. Unfortunately, some of them look the same to me, so hybrid is as best I can do!

Now I have a place to start with research!

Whatever the ID, Weird Al is a great plant!

Sorry Char, I don't have an ID on Weird Al or Kelly. But whatever you wanna call it, that's a fabulous plant! You'll have to show us some more pics.

And yes.......you are right. The weeds are easy to tug out when the soil is moist. I've just been flat out lazy and that's all you can call that!

While it's still too early to bring the succulents outdoors permanently (still anticipate the dreaded Easter cold front), it's been nice enough to let a few get some fresh air. #soreadyforspring

That's a very pretty pot of succulents, GrammaChar.

Q

Succulents are so photogenic!

Speaking of which, somebody got a new camera. Patio propagation projects here...

Second plant (Aeonium) had its center chewed out by rodents a few weeks back and is going to be way better as a result. Your classic forced branching, done by mother nature.



This aloe (compare and contrast to Char's plant) is a hybrid I grew from seed, then cored (very much like the rodents but with a sharp knife), then rooted the branches. Its flowers are like dragon breath. The Dudleya is native to the region, a 4-month old propagation. I need to keep nipping the inflorescences so it concentrates on getting big and strong, not looking for ladies. (Or guys, for that matter.)

Beautiful! I can't pick a winner; all four tie for first place.

Hello guys and gals! How have you been? We are having a strange mix of weather, half of the day is cloudy half of it sunny. Well, it makes us even more impatient for spring!
My collection is getting bigger and soon I will have a nicer set up for it. Although I understand that improving the conditions on one's house/patio/balcony or garden has to be a constant and is a project that has no end.
I wanted to ask you, after congratulating on all your astonishing, colorful and vibrant plants and images, are succulents and cacti prone to spidermites? I have an ivy I'm treating, keeping it separate of course, but I'm worried and want to know. I'd rather get rid of it if my succs and cacti could be in danger of getting those buggers.

Plant pest come all the time. I treat mine mostly every mid-spring and again just before taking them back in for the winter season. I use a systemic like Bayor. I treat them before I see any signs of trouble. Simple to do, just add a small amount to there water. Any blossoms I get after treating them, I remove so not to harm the bees. Except the Huernias. I hate flies. They still land on them and lay their eggs and the tiny maggots die in a few days.

Faridat, spider mites hate humid air (like our ocean breeze) so I have never seen one here. In drier locations they can be an annoying pest of succulents. They do not typically respond to insecticides because they are closer to spiders.

Thank you guys! I don't want to use a systemic, only in an extreme case. I guess its time has come.:/

Unfortunately Ivy is so prone to spidermites, I don't even buy them.

Took a hike on South Mountain in Phoenix, AZ with a group from my Cactus Society to see Bursera microphylla. Saw beautiful specimens from near and far! The plants get wider instead of taller as they age. They are very slow growing and some were extremely old. The yellow flowers of the last photo is Larrea (Creosote Bush) which is very common in the Phoenix deserts.

Thank you for the photos, Nancy! I miss being able to hike around there. It's a beautiful area.

Very nice Nancy. Thank you for sharing.
Baja just lovely as always. What a gorgeous collection of goodies.
Faridat.............I hear you dude on the home improvement projects and the worry over spider mites.

O.K. need some help here. My prized possession, a rather large A. sisalana is showing some rather weird marks. Despite its new growth and thriving pup this is spreading.

What is this and what do I do about it? I loooooooooove this plant! It is my pride and joy and I want to save it. I am not afraid to go to war and bust out the ozone depleting Raid, the powders, sprays, chemicals, or any other thing that will kill what ever little nasty pest that may be attacking it. I need specific names of products and pics of them if you got them.

Or is it just from our freak weather with its abnormal highs and lows and cold snaps and droughts and should I not be panicking?

Help!!!!!

It is cold damage. This happens to leaves of some Agaves that are frozen/partially frozen and then they get defrosted quickly by being exposed to the rising sun.

Sisalana is frost tender, if you know it is going below zero you should cover it (if you can) and leave the cover on till the sun has been up for a while and the plant has a had chance to warm up.

I'm sorry for the damage on your agave Agavegirl! Those are tough plants though, she will be alright and continue to give you pride and joy!