SOUVENIR DE FRANCE

In September 2017 we went to the south of France for a holiday and when we visited a gardencenter there I found a cactus that I really wanted to have and as it was small it was easy to take it home in the car without damaging it.

THIS IS HOW IT LOOKED WHEN WE BOUGHT IT . OPUNTIA INDICA BURBANK.

Much to my surprise it grew a new disk in the Summer of 2018.

And in 2019 it got another disk.

TINY AT THE BEGINNING BUT GROWING VERY FAST.

This year, no new disk, I don’t know why, it is healty and growing good, those brown spots are normal. I was hoping for a new disk and maybe a flower or 2.

The following pictures were taken only a few days ago.

But this plant with only 3 disks is soooo very heavy I can’t lift it anymore, luckily I have a husband and a son. In Winter it stays in an unheated greenhouse cos it doesn’t like wet weather but in Spring it comes out again and gets the sunniest spot in the garden. Each time I look at it it reminds me of France.

Why I wanted this cactus ? There are lots of these cacti in the south of France, some turned into really big “bushes” with bright yellow flowers and edible fruits. It can take frost as long as the soil is dry. And last but not least it is almost spineless. There are other opuntia’s that are more beautifull but they all have a lot of spines, I have grandkids and dogs so that would be too dangerous.

At the moment we have a heathwave and the end is not in sight. So I have a lot of watering to do in the garden and especially the plants in pots need a good watering every day. But my French opuntia loves it.

Have a great weekend all and keep safe !

I HAVE GOT ANOTHER ONE !

OPUNTIA FICUS INDICA BURBANK (PRICKLY PEAR)

You probably think I’m crazy but I am excited to have a new pad on my cactus, I started with one pad 2 years ago, last year I got a new pad and this year I got another one. I know for some people this is just weed as it grows very well where it is native but I live in Belgium and that is not exactly cactus paradise.

HERE IS A VIEW ON THE WHOLE PLANT AS IT LOOKS NOW.

I am pretty pleased with it.

DO YOU REMEMBER ME ?

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THIS WAS HOW I LOOKED WHEN WE FIRST MET

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I GOT A PUP LAST SUMMER

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AND THIS IS ME NOW.

I’ll get a new big pot soon and then I’ll have my picture taken again. I wonder how many pups I’ll get this year !

Have a great week !!

THE BABY IS STILL GROWING

Remember the baby bud on my opuntia ? The one I bought in France last year ?

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This is mum last year in France.

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This is mum and the little baby bud on June 23rd this year.

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This was taken a few days later on July 1st

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July 17 th

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August 12 th

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And this was taken today October 27 th. So in 4 months time the bud grew bigger than mum ! Amazing hey !!

Have a great weekend all and thanks for visiting !

 

 

LOOK AT ME !

Ten (10) weeks ago I looked like this ;

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ME AND MY MUM

Now I look like this:

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IN 10 WEEKS TIME I AM TALLER THAN MY MUM BUT I AM STILL A BIT SKINNY BUT THAT IS BECAUSE I AM NOT AN ADULT YET, RIGHT ? By the way, my name is opuntia ficus indica Burbank.

 

 

Have a great Sunday all and thanks for your visit !!

IN JUST ONE WEEK’S TIME

I have a new disk on my opuntia indica Burbank !!! I bought this opuntia last year when we were on our holiday in France.

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THIS IS HOW IT LOOKED LIKE WHEN I BOUGHT IT

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JUST ONE WEEK AGO I NOTICED SOME GROWTH

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SEE HOW MUCH IT HAS GROWN IN JUST ONE WEEK !!!!

I am so happy about it !!

Have a great week all ! Thanks for visiting.

MY NEWEST LOVE

When we were on vacation in the South of France we visited a few garden centers as that is something I really enjoy. And I found something I had been looking for for years.

 

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OPUNTIA FICUS INDICA BURBANK SPINELESS

That is quite a mouthfull isn’ it ?! Some of you will think this is quite a common cactus and it is but for me he is special as he has no spines so the kids and the dogs can’t hurt themselves when they come too close to it. And they are usually sold as big plants as they can grow rather big, I never came accross one with just one leaf, as we have to take it home with us in the car. The dogs took a lot of space as they were travelling in a big bench. And I like small cacti and see how they grow.

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AND HERE IT IS, STANDING HAPPILY (I HOPE) IN MY VERANDA.

Have a greate day and thanks for visiting  !

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"Pay attention to the world." -- Susan Sontag

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THE MATURE ART OF TRAVELLING ALONE REBECCA@ART-WITH-ATTITUDE.CO.UK PLEASE LIKE AND SHARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST!

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loujen haxm'Yor

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ecopoet / Lori Zybala

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Blending with the latest art exhibitions.

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Right <> correct of the center

Floss and The Flowers Blog

A blog about eco-minimalism, gardening, money-saving and more

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Motherhood after 40. Adoption story. Menopause. Laughter, tears and a lot of strong coffee to make it through life.

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making it up one bit at a time

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Make your mark...colourful....

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