Both parents of this Ray Lemieux cross of Hechtia lanata x myriantha have some interesting characteristics that should express themselves when the plants grow out. The seed parent, H. lanata, has broad, scurfy, twisting and curling leaves in habitat, which is a tropical desert environment on nutrient poor cliffs.

In cultivation, seedlings of this species tend to have straighter foliage, at least here in sea-level Florida. The pollen parent, H. myriantha, is a giant grower, perhaps the largest of all Hechtia species. Anecdotal stories report that this plant can reach the size of a VW Beetle! The intent of this cross was to produce a large growing hybrid with twisted foliage and silvery scurf. Only time will tell if that will happen. 

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There are few Hechtia hybrids of any kind which is unfortunate because there are many with great potential. This hybrid has a few cultivars of (texensis x stenopetala) by California Hechtia expert Andy Siekkinen, selected for nearly identical characteristics. This means that it is quite possible to have both male and female plants within this hybrid grex.

A very leafy and of course stiff and wickedly spiny rosette with leaves that taper to a long, narrow point and large spines are hooked inward. Depending on growing conditions, the plant can reach 30 inches across and color in bright light to full sun can vary from red to maroon.

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*Lower leaves may have some spotting

A Tropiflora hybrid with our best red rosea (formerly meziana). These are running the gamut from silver to red, some with scurfing, some without, all nice.

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 A large growing terrestrial to 24 inches across, that has abundant silver 'fuzzy' trichomes on both sides of the leaves. When stressed is blushes purple. This usually happens in winter.

A decorative clone of this Mexican species that blushes bright red in stress conditions. We find that the plant is more likely to produce the desired red coloration in winter, or when the plant is under-potted and under-fed. The plant has stout and pronounced red marginal spines. With maturity the plant will produce abundant silvery ‘fuzzy’ trichomes along the leaf margins. The undersides are silvery.

Leaf tips may be trimmed.

This handsome species described in 2008 by Espejo, Lopez-Ferr. and Ramirez came to us from Andy Siekkinen who found them growing on and between limestone boulders on cliff walls near the Río Estorax, Querétaro, Mexico. The climate is hot and dry and the plants survive on little water. Clusters form a dam of sorts, trapping soil and debris to create a terrace like gardens that support other plant species, according to Andy. A handsome, compact rosette shape and silvery color make this an attractive species to cultivate.

This Tropiflora hybrid definitely came out looking more like the H. coerulea parent, with semi-stiff, green, grassy leaves. The leaf margins, although 'spineless', are very sharp and can give a swift ’paper cut’ to the unwary. For something unusual, give one a try!

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