@porkpal
That may have been the cause. Unfortunately I don't think it's the only possibility. I can't find truly recent info on how far the Cactoblastus cactorum moth has increased its range, but I believe it definitely found north central Texas last summer. It was in my container plants, but I believe it's entirely possible, even likely, the original source was among the native cacti growing here. The native Opuntia are truly plentiful right now, but it's entirely possible the invasive pest will change that in the future.

Here's a link showing where it has been found in Texas, including in Brazoria county in 2018 which is not that far from you. https://www.texasinvasives.org...

Here's the link to the Wikipedia information which doesn't seem to have been updated for several years. Still a lot of good info. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

I tried to find a place to report it and have it either confirmed or identified as a separate pest, but the links and email contacts I found didn't work and I gave up trying. I had never seen it before last summer and it's going to be hard to spot in situ. I'm not sure after it's killed a plant that the reason for the plant's death would even be obvious. Even looking for it on the container plants, I failed to spot it in time. That was with picking up a 6" container and looking very closely.

skopjecollection said: You are in luck, since I was able to find it.
https://www.facebook.com/group...




But just in case, photos...

Thank you, Stefan. Except for the height of the barrel, it looks like texensis. The local population here has a lower profile than the one in the photo - by more than half. The configuration of the spines is a bit variable in the local population, so what I see in the photo wouldn't exclude that from being a texensis though most of the local population have a flatter array for the spines.

The article says for texensis it has changed from Echinocactus to homalocephala. That, so far, is not in the database here at NGA. Do you know what source the posters may be referencing for the change? I seem to recall reading that a name change was in the works several years ago, but never saw where it actually happened.

Waaah! I don't want to have learn another new name. It's hard for an oldtimer .

Well, from what I read, they put it back in echinocactus. Mostly they will use the old name.

This bud popped open, and the flower is beyond my wildest dreams!! I bought this adorable little plant for the pink spines. I guess this little Arizona cactus has a real spirit to survive, being stuck in AL.




Do these pics confirm the ID of Echinocereus rigidissimus subsp. rubispinus? It has not been questioned, but this is the first time it has bloomed, so I figured I would ask.

@purpleinopp
Very nice, Tiffany. I think rigidissimus is likely based on the bloom. Not sure about the subsp. part of that. I had to wait a couple of years to see mine bloom and it ended up dasyacanthus (I think) with yellow blooms - spectacular yellow blooms. Hope it does it again this year.

Thank you very much, Donald : )

I really can't tell the difference between Echinocereus rigidissimus subsp rigidissimus and Echinocereus rigidissimus.


But, there seems to be two entries for the subspecies?
Alicoche (Echinocereus rigidissimus subsp. rigidissimus)

Arizona Ruby Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus rigidissimus subsp. rubispinus)

purpleinopp said: This bud popped open, and the flower is beyond my wildest dreams!! I bought this adorable little plant for the pink spines. I guess this little Arizona cactus has a real spirit to survive, being stuck in AL.




Do these pics confirm the ID of Echinocereus rigidissimus subsp. rubispinus? It has not been questioned, but this is the first time it has bloomed, so I figured I would ask.

i have had one of these for about 3 years (bought on the back of pics like the ones you posted) I would say it has grow about 5mm and once threated to throw out a bloom, but quickly aborted once it had succeeded is getting my hopes up
Steve

Awww! If it's still alive, don't give up. I got mine in 2018, so it has taken a while to feel like blooming here. You can see from the wavy profile, my plant has had some struggles because I have no idea what I'm doing. It did rain like cats'n'dogs yesterday. Maybe it is a more thirsty thing than I think. IDK, could just be coincidental timing.

It has progressed glacially slowly from this, June 2018. I guess it has grown somewhere around 2-3 inches. (Y'all's turn to convert a measurement for a change - LOL!):

ketsui73 said: i have had one of these for about 3 years (bought on the back of pics like the ones you posted) I would say it has grow about 5mm and once threated to throw out a bloom, but quickly aborted once it had succeeded is getting my hopes up
Steve

Mine took longer than that to bloom the first time. It aborted a lot of buds before it was successful. No sign of a bud this year. I think the one I bought must have been fully grown at about 8". The only way I've been able to tell it's growing at all are redder spines in the center in the spring. That growth has added minimal size to the plant. Very slow, so it may have been a mature plant when purchased.

Awesome! Usually I pick plants that I have to keep mangling because they get too big. Doubt that's possible for a cactus, but sounds like it won't be a problem.

Attacked but not defeated by a barrel cactus yesterday during its garden installation



And a strong week's work in the garden, in one plantless image



A couple of plants tossed, various plants repotted, various plants put in the ground. I wash the pots before reuse.

Ouch!
This post sounds like happy work!

Baja was so happy he hugged his cactus?

Well, that would be pushing it a tad! 😄

That cactus made its point 😂
Here is one I love for its big spines

Ursula said: This post sounds like happy work!

Progress in the garden makes me happy.

The left two barrel cacti are new here (middle one attacked me, it was really heavy)



Two of this week's plants here



And my largest potted Euphorbia (which weighed a ton) in place



Shots from down below to show perspective

I love the whole look of this!

Finally got everybody transitioning outside!






The Haws will remain indoors. I debated putting the Gasteria out, but it thrived in the window last year, and if it ain't broke..!

Nice healthy collection.