South Texas Growing Medium?

You know you're in Texas when . . . when you can fry an egg on the sidewalk and go swimming in the river in late December. But what about this? How many times have you ever seen this growing medium used successfully? (Oh and yes that's concrete.)

This is a close-up of what my little cousin calls "The Owiee Tree". It's about the same age as he is (now about 10 yrs) and the two kind of grew up together. They lived next door to me when he was just a toddler until just a few years ago, yet to this day he still calls it that.

It's not actually growing "in concrete" though it appears that it is. It's actually growing through a hole that was originally intended to be used as a drain pipe hole in the slab when it was poured. However, when my little cousin was over visiting, at that 'just learning to walk' age, the hole was somewhat of a tripping hazard. So, to keep him from having an accident I took a small tin can and placed a single section of a cactus plant I had in the can and then placed the can in the hole. I took him over to it and explained that the cactus would bite him if he touched it. He said oh owiee; hence the Owiee name. lol

Well that was about 10 years ago and it's still there to this day. I've seen cactus growing in trees in south Texas, always wondered just how it 'got up there', but never before have I seen anything growing in the middle of a concrete slab. Just wondered if anyone else has anything similar to share?

Hope ya'll enjoy,
GD

What was once just a small section . . . all grown up now . . . complete with blooms :)

GD very cool pictures. It's always interesting to see plants that have some how survived and flourished in the strangest places- I love seeing that sort of thing, my kids on the other hand think it's boring! My grandson asks me about certain plants if they are "ouie" plants or not! LOL best way to describe them I guess.
April

That is most interesting, cactus never cease to amaze me. I have a little Opuntia in a pot we shall see what it becomes with time.
Josephine.

What a neat memory for your cousin. Cool owie tree and flowers!
:) Donna

Thanks :) yeah cactus are pretty amazing in general. I've seen them 20' off the ground growing in Mesquites and Oaks down here. I guess birds help them get started up there?

But what is the name of the pink Opuntia ? I've been trying to find that one for years. I just need a name. The other one is a owie tree. So now I know that. Thanks for sharing, Norma

I'm not sure, but this may be the one I have?
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/67945/index.html

Howdy GB..err...I mean GD ;), lol..you're all over the place! I think what you have there is a Chola Cactus. Whenever I drive to New Mexico...I always collect holey wood that is left behind when the branches die back. I've made some real fine western crosses with 'em. :) I know they can get pretty big.....almost tree-like out in the Sonoran desert of West Texas and New Mexico. The general shape of yours is beautiful!
Yep...its terrible..but I look for a pleasing balance in the way that thing grows into itself. I think its the artist in me. Hmmm...maybe I should try Bonsai Trees... lol.. ;)

err...make that a "cholla cactus." lol

I found this one in the plant files that looks very much like it.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/66650
Josephine.

lol @ all over the place . . . no matter where ya go . . . there I are :D
Those crosses sound cool . . . ya needa post a pic of one of those for us to see TxT :)

That could very well be the one . . . I'll have to double check tomorrow in the sunlight :) Thanks for the link/info.

Here is my cholla wood cross. 'Scuse the dark photo..my living room is sort of dark this time of the day...but ya get the idea. I made this cross about 10 years...after I saw one in Santa Fe. I made my own because I didn't want to pay 150.00 for one just like it...lol... It has dried cedar, a sage bundle...and beadwork on the arms.. :)

This message was edited Jun 29, 2006 4:38 PM

I can see that you have quite a cross collection, they all look very nice.
Josephine.

Thanks frostweed :)
I'm not really sure as to why I like crosses so much. I guess its just the shape that I'm find interesting. Plus after making my cholla cross, friends and family have added others to make a huge collection. I can't resist NOT putting them up.. :)

Indeed Frostweed, I do believe that's a match :) Wonder if I should add my 'concrete owiee' pic to the PF list :D

Very nice cross TxT, thanks for share'n . . . that's pretty cool. I've always wanted to go to Santa Fe and do the Gallery Stroll, but have yet to make that trip. Maybe someday :)

Santa Fe is by far one of my mostest favorite cities.. ;) I've been there quite a few times, most recently last late September. However, It was a bit sad to see the Wally-Marts, Home Depomaters and the Starrybucks sprouting up all over the place out there! As much as I love the city, it appears that everyone else loves it too...lol... If Taos becomes Wally-Marted as well...then indeed...it'll be a real loss. But ya get past the sprawl and into that famous Northern NM crystalline air and sky...and its just pure magic. :)

Yeah TxT, that's so typical anymore huh? Some things should be left as they are, but nooooooooooo!!!! lol

Either way, I'd still love to see it someday. Maybe I can sneak away from the pups for a few days sometime and make it out that way :D

Naw...just take yourself and the pups as well....they'll love it too...lol

lol yeah I guess I could do that . . . they doooooo love to ride :D