Ariocarpus

Ariocarpus fissuratus v. lloydii in bloom in Hamilton, Ontario late September.

Its amazing how different opinions can be about the appeal of an Ariocarpus. I've heard everything from ugly from the uninitiated to the greatest of all treasures from aficionados. Ariocarpus are perhaps the slowest growing genus of cacti which is saying something significant since there probably is no cactus that is really a fast grower. This is probably why old specimens of Ariocarpus are rarely seen in collections and the more knowledgeable collectors are impressed with big old plants of Ariocarpus. If there are plants anywhere in the cactus family that would qualify as living stones these are it. They are reliable fall bloomers.

Ariocarpus used to be one of those cacti that was never seen at Sorensen's nurseries. That is not until the Ontario Cactus and Succulent Society asked them if they could get some. Shortly thereafter dozens of small ones showed up at that nursery for the first time and a number of OCSS members were able to add them to their collections. I was very fortunate to acquire the old specimen of A. fissuratus v. lloydii in the photo from another long time collector. It could easily be 50 years old. This plant has been blooming for me in Hamilton for several days now in mid September.