Cacti in the ground.
The information here and
photographs are based on Taranaki experience.
These species respond to Tauranga conditions with a
slightly heavier soil equally as well as in Taranaki.
Click here to see the North Taranaki climate and soil notes.
And yes, the Tauranga climate is a little harsher than the North Taranaki coastal strip from Urenui to Oakura, especially in spring time.
Winter 2006 was particularly harsh in
North Taranaki with many frosts and several in a row in June down to about minus
4 or 5 C. Some plants were wiped out completely (Euphorbia turicaulii) and some
were maimed (E. ingens and
Consolea corallicola a Carribean
opuntia type plant). On the upside, several species which are quoted in
reference books as not liking temperatures below 10C did fine. Brasiliopuntia
brasiliensis is one that has established without damage. It looked a bit
chlorotic and dehydrated for a while, as many opuntia spp do in winter, but as
the weather warmed up it freshened up, grew about 20% and flowered reasonably
well.
This photograph from the New Zealand Gardener magazine shows us among the cacti and Agapanthus. We are associated with the New Plymouth Branch of the NZ Cactus and Succulent Society.
The thumbnails from the picture above are being set up as links for more information on each species.
There are 3 clones of Cereus that
I loosly refer to as "Peruvian Cereus".
Euphorbia ingens is an African equivalent to
the Cereus cactus. This was damaged by frosts to minus 5 in 2006, with the
growing tips burnt out of several plants.
Opuntia ficus-indica is another tree type cactus we have
in the garden.
Oreocereus hendriksenianus var. densilanatus is otherwise known as
"The Old Man of the Andes"
Cactus and Succulent Society of New Zealand (Inc)
Alex's Cactus Page contains a range of material and links.
Cactus and Succulent Plant Mall is a mine of information.