Dyckia blooming

Use this forum to discuss matters relating to xeric Bromeliads such as Hechtia, Dyckia, Puya, Tillandsia and related species. This is where one posts unknown plant photos for ID help.
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Spination
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Dyckia blooming

#1

Post by Spination »

I've had D. marnier lapostollei bloom twice now, and a D. Gray Ops bloom last year, but this is the first time I have 2 that are blooming at the same time. One has a stalk with yet unopened flowers, the other is starting out.
If the one can hang on, and the other get a move on, perhaps I can get some seeds for the first time. :D

Dyckia Tarzana
2016 04 01 Dyckia Tarzana #1 a X750.jpg
2016 04 01 Dyckia Tarzana #1 a X750.jpg (254.44 KiB) Viewed 2669 times
2016 04 01 Dyckia Tarzana #1 b X750.jpg
2016 04 01 Dyckia Tarzana #1 b X750.jpg (120.22 KiB) Viewed 2669 times
Dyckia Keswick
2016 04 01 Dyckia Keswick #1 a X750.jpg
2016 04 01 Dyckia Keswick #1 a X750.jpg (301.1 KiB) Viewed 2669 times
You can see the noticeable growth of the spike with these 2 photos taken only 3 days apart
2016 04 04 Dyckia Keswick #1 a a X750.jpg
2016 04 04 Dyckia Keswick #1 a a X750.jpg (270.71 KiB) Viewed 2669 times
These are not the original Bill Baker hybrids (I have the originals also, and they are not exactly the same), but the facsimiles floating around sold as such. Still, nice looking plants in my opinion, and would be interesting to try out my very first pollination/cross of Dyckia between these two, and see if I can come up with seeds.
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#2

Post by Spination »

An update

Dyckia Keswick F2... I'm hoping some flowers will open before the below stalk is finished
2016 04 11 Dyckia Keswick F2 x750.jpg
2016 04 11 Dyckia Keswick F2 x750.jpg (204.16 KiB) Viewed 2649 times
Dyckia Tarzana F2... lower flowers open, upper flowers still closed
2016 04 11 Dyckia Tarzana F2 a X750.jpg
2016 04 11 Dyckia Tarzana F2 a X750.jpg (228.26 KiB) Viewed 2649 times
2016 04 11 Dyckia Tarzana F2 a a.JPG
2016 04 11 Dyckia Tarzana F2 a a.JPG (95.88 KiB) Viewed 2649 times
And now I see another one getting into the act. Dyckia Brittle Star F2... this is starting to color up again and should turn a lot more purple in the following months
2016 04 11 Dyckia Brittle Star F2 a x750.jpg
2016 04 11 Dyckia Brittle Star F2 a x750.jpg (357.83 KiB) Viewed 2649 times
hard to tell exactly, but there are 2 developing stalks pushing their way out of that mess...
2016 04 11 Dyckia Brittle Star F2 a a.JPG
2016 04 11 Dyckia Brittle Star F2 a a.JPG (161.96 KiB) Viewed 2649 times
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#3

Post by Gee.S »

Nice!
Agave
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".

"Some talk the talk, others walk the walk, but I stalk the stalk"
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#4

Post by Spination »

Thanks Ron.

Some updated photos..

D. Brittle Star F2 stalks have broken through the crown of thorns
2016 04 16 Dyckia Brittle Star F2 a X750.jpg
2016 04 16 Dyckia Brittle Star F2 a X750.jpg (321.62 KiB) Viewed 2623 times
D. Keswick F2 stalk now 2 feet tall
2016 04 16 Dyckia Keswick F2 a x750.jpg
2016 04 16 Dyckia Keswick F2 a x750.jpg (238.06 KiB) Viewed 2623 times
D. Tarzana F2 flower progress
2016 04 16 Dyckia Tarzana F2 a X750.jpg
2016 04 16 Dyckia Tarzana F2 a X750.jpg (198.33 KiB) Viewed 2623 times
2016 04 16 Dyckia Tarzana F2 b.JPG
2016 04 16 Dyckia Tarzana F2 b.JPG (159.84 KiB) Viewed 2623 times
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#5

Post by Melt in the Sun »

Looking good! The Tarzana F2 is quite nice - does it not offset frantically? I have not yet had the opportunity to buy any that were not prolific to the point of being a gnarled mess.

Ever tasted the nectar? It is surprisingly vile.
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#6

Post by Spination »

Thanks.

So far, the Tarzana has been a modest offsetter, unlike the Keswick which pups more. I have 2 (F2); 1 acquired under the correct name (Tarzana), and one with an often seen corrupted name (Tarzan). To date, only 2 pups from each, so the plant stays rather clean looking. I also have the original Bill Baker Tarzana, which looks very much the same as the F2s, but hasn't pupped (yet), and may not if it's similar to the difference between the original Bill Baker Keswick, and the F2 versions floating around. With Keswick original vs F2, one can see more visual difference between the two, with more distinct coloring on the original, and more delicate leaves that don't start as wide at the base as the F2 tapering towards the ends. But the original Keswick doesn't pup at all, but rather divides, whereas the F2 pups prolifically. Within this next year, I may find that this difference is consistent with Tarzana as well. The original Bill Baker versions of each came from a well known Bromeliad grower in Florida, who got hers directly from Bill Baker before he passed away.

I haven't tasted the nectar, but based on your experience, it's less likely now that I will. lol
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#7

Post by Spination »

Looks like I got my wish. The Tarzana still has flowers on top, while the Keswick (F2) has been opening for business at the bottom. This Keswick scape is unlike any of the others I've seen so far. First, it's huge...easily 4' tall. Also, there's a branch at the bottom, with a number of it's own flowers, and then an abbreviated branch directly above, with a flower and a couple of smaller flowers at the side of it, and then the rest of the stalk features the form and flowers I'm more accustomed to so far. The pollination is one-way, because for whatever reason, the Keswick doesn't seem to have any, but is dripping with nectar. On the other hand, the Tarzana is loaded with pollen falling off the flowers, and very little of detectable nectar. Hopefully, I'll get seed pod formation on the Keswick. Here's current pics of the unusual Keswick flowering.

Overview
2016 04 29 Dyckia Keswick and Brittle Star flowers a crop X750.jpg
2016 04 29 Dyckia Keswick and Brittle Star flowers a crop X750.jpg (176.74 KiB) Viewed 2567 times
flowers - lower branch and odd shortened branch with large flower and small flowers at the side, with then normal flower formation successively higher on the stalk
2016 04 29 Dyckia Keswick flowers b x750.jpg
2016 04 29 Dyckia Keswick flowers b x750.jpg (174.5 KiB) Viewed 2567 times
curious branching
2016 04 29 Dyckia Keswick flowers d X750.jpg
2016 04 29 Dyckia Keswick flowers d X750.jpg (311.21 KiB) Viewed 2567 times
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#8

Post by Gee.S »

Hey, you aren't the only one swinging your Dyckia.... :))
L to R: Mangave 'Bloodspot', Agave spicata, Dyckia schmyckia, Mammillaria karwinskiana ssp. beiselii, and Mangave 'Macho Mocha' bringing up the rear
L to R: Mangave 'Bloodspot', Agave spicata, Dyckia schmyckia, Mammillaria karwinskiana ssp. beiselii, and Mangave 'Macho Mocha' bringing up the rear
dykia 002.JPG (102.17 KiB) Viewed 2559 times
Agave
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".

"Some talk the talk, others walk the walk, but I stalk the stalk"
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#9

Post by Spination »

:U D)) I like how they all got the bird too ::wink::
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#10

Post by Gee.S »

That's my scarecrow. Get it? :U:

Seriously though, why is my Dyckia bloom stalk brown and kind of wooden while yours are green? I don't suppose that's an identifier of any kind...
Agave
"American aloe plant," 1797, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at".

"Some talk the talk, others walk the walk, but I stalk the stalk"
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Re: Dyckia blooming

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Post by Spination »

I like it (scarecrow). :U
I hadn't noticed that, but now that you pointed it out, I reviewed the only Dyckia blooms I experienced previously. Unfortunately, the three current blooms represents a full 1/2 of my total experience, and only now in total are 6 blooms among 5 different species and/or hybrids. Indeed, I don't see much variation in the green color of the stalk (initially), although I would say it is rather stout, and seems rather stiff and strong considering it's relatively thin diameter. I do make sure they get plenty of water, as I figure the energy spent to so quickly grow such an impressive flower structure considering the size of the plant must require adequate, constant hydration. Not sure if a factor such as that could account for the difference, nor do I know how much water yours is getting. Perhaps too it's completely normal due to being a different species/hybrid as mine which have bloomed so far. If memory serves though, I do believe the green does gradually darken and brown throughout the process when finally they are spent and drying up.
For your perusal, here were my previous three blooms
2014 Dyckia marnier lapostollei
2014 01 27 D marnier-lapostollei #1 da X750.jpg
2014 01 27 D marnier-lapostollei #1 da X750.jpg (185.11 KiB) Viewed 2549 times
Same plant a year later - blooming again, but for whatever reason, nothing doing this year
2015 02 13 D marnier lapostollei #1 c X750.jpg
2015 02 13 D marnier lapostollei #1 c X750.jpg (143.91 KiB) Viewed 2549 times
And this 'Gray Ops' which timing wise, was unexpected, blooming late last year
2015 10 14 D Gray Ops a X750.jpg
2015 10 14 D Gray Ops a X750.jpg (145.05 KiB) Viewed 2549 times
2015 11 02 Dyckia Gray Ops bloom a X650.jpg
2015 11 02 Dyckia Gray Ops bloom a X650.jpg (124.09 KiB) Viewed 2549 times
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#12

Post by Spination »

Melt in the Sun wrote:Looking good! The Tarzana F2 is quite nice - does it not offset frantically? I have not yet had the opportunity to buy any that were not prolific to the point of being a gnarled mess.

Ever tasted the nectar? It is surprisingly vile.
Curiosity got the best of me. In pollinating each morning, and getting the dripping nectar on my fingers from the Keswick F2, I decided to see for myself what it tastes like. I guess not all Dyckia nectar is equal, because this one is very sweet, like honey. Actually, very very good!
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Re: Dyckia blooming

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Post by Spination »

Dyckia Brittle Star F2 twin stalks progressing nicely, but dwarfed by the Keswick F2 stalk behind.
2016 05 01 Dyckia Brittle Star F2 X750.jpg
2016 05 01 Dyckia Brittle Star F2 X750.jpg (151.7 KiB) Viewed 2523 times
I'm always forgetting this plant is even here, since it's unattended and neglected off the beaten track. I just noticed that it's blooming too (D. brevifolia)
2016 05 01 Dyckia brevifolia X750.jpg
2016 05 01 Dyckia brevifolia X750.jpg (229.83 KiB) Viewed 2523 times
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#14

Post by Azuleja »

I was going to start a new thread for dyckia blooms, then saw this one. Hope you don't mind me just adding on.

Rosette diameter on this one is about 18". I thought it might be Burgundy Ice, but it didn't flower orange so I'm back at square one for ID. These are 2 halves of the same plant. One is kept in the shade of a loquat tree, the other on the deck in half day sun. Does it look a little wet? It's 63°F today and we had a passing rain shower.
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Dyckia unknown
Dyckia unknown
20170531_105432.jpg (155.34 KiB) Viewed 2296 times
Dyckia unknown
Dyckia unknown
20170531_100841.jpg (88.36 KiB) Viewed 2296 times
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Re: Dyckia blooming

#15

Post by Spination »

Of course I don't mind.

That's a very lovely flowering one - I think yellow flowers are not very common on them, and I think they look very fetching. Against the purple foliage, it's very striking. Most of mine have been orange, although I too got a yellow this year, but it's almost done.

It's an obscure hybrid D. 'Whit Merrin #1 Silver' X remotifolia (lol) hard to see just how yellow like yours the flowers are (or were), because the lighting where the plant is in the daytime is not conducive for taking good pics.
Here it is anyway. Seed pods forming as I crossed it with a much more miniature (so far anyway) hybrid called 'Misty Night' X 'Keswick'. (and I highly doubt the real Keswick either - probably an F2)
2017 05 31 Dyckia White Merrin #1 Silver X remotifolia a.jpg
2017 05 31 Dyckia White Merrin #1 Silver X remotifolia a.jpg (144.38 KiB) Viewed 2294 times
2017 05 31 Dyckia White Merrin #1 Silver X remotifolia b X800.jpg
2017 05 31 Dyckia White Merrin #1 Silver X remotifolia b X800.jpg (293.23 KiB) Viewed 2294 times
I think Dyckia flowers are super easy to pollinate. In the past, I've had seed pods form from only ants seen crawling on them. With a paint brush, pollen loads up very easily and easily transferred to another one.
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