According to the label on the container from the Garden Shop, this cactus is a hybrid between peanut cactus and Red Clown cactus. Click on the image to enlarge.
California
Aeonium Arboretum
This subtropical succulent, Aeonium Arboretum, has been growing on our patio for years. I don’t think I have ever posted an image of it. Click on the image to enlarge.
Wikipedia offers this additional information:
Aeonium is a genus of about 35 species of succulent, subtropical plants of the family Crassulaceae.
The name comes from the ancient Greek “aionos” (=immortal).
Most of them are native to the Canary Islands. Some species are found in Madeira, Morocco and in eastern Africa (for example in the Semien Mountains of Ethiopia).
The rosette leaves are on a basal stem. Low-growing Aeonium species are A. tabuliforme and A. smithii; large species include A. arboreum, A. valverdense and A. holochrysum.
Aeonium are not frost-resistant. They are related to the genera Sempervivum, Aichryson and Monanthes, which is easy to see from their similar flower and inflorescences. Recently, the genus Greenovia has been placed within Aeonium.
Golden Torch Cactus Flower
The first of the summer Golden Torch cactus flowers opened up last evening. I took this shot of it this morning. This flower will be done within 24 hours. I’m happy to see that this cactus variety does well in Arizona too. Click on the image to enlarge.
Triple Crown
The Devil’s Tongue barrel cactus had three open flowers today. I believe this is the first time that three were open at once. Click on the image to enlarge.
White Epiphyllum Flower
After we returned to our California residence, we found that the white epiphyllum “orchid cactus” was in bloom. Once a year, these beautiful flowers adorn our garden. Click on the image to enlarge.
Heading Back to California
We will be headed back to California tomorrow, having finished a great deal of business in preparation for our relocation to the Copper State. We’re planning another trip next month to conduct the next wave of business and to start the construction of our new Arizona home.
As we approached the Colorado River on I-10, this friendly saguaro cactus seemed to be beckoning us to come back soon. Photo courtesy of Damsel. Click to enlarge.
SmartConnect
A workman from SoCal Edison installed a new SmartConnect™ electric meter on our residence today. The power outage was only a few seconds after the workman waited until the computers could be shut down. Other than resetting a couple of clocks, there was not much impact to us.
According to the brochure (pdf), the new meter eliminates the need for meter readers, since it communicates with the power company to report usage data. It’s sorta big-brotherish too, because of the two-way communications implications and wireless connection to “smart” appliances in the household. I’m not saying they will do it, but there is a real possibility that they will be able to shut off your air conditioning and other stuff. Given the current nanny attitudes state and federal officials have, we could be headed there.
From the brochure:
Smart meters collect hourly energy use data for the home and are capable of two-way communication. This means they can send and receive energy use and cost information from the home to the utility and back again, all through a secure wireless network.
Smart meters are also equipped with wireless radio chips inside to support home area networking. This will make it possible for the meter to communicate with “smart” appliances and devices, such as smart thermostats and refrigerators.
Emphasis mine.