Experimenting

 Some Thinkings:

Yes, this is an old image. New ones I must learn how to get them from my cel. I hope I manage to get them soon.

You may click on this image to enlarde it and see the details. This is a Dyckia delicata hybrid, Spines are well rubbery. Also you may notice what we call "Dyckia lines"  on the leaves underneath.

Another point and a very important one the plant bears many leaves. This means a Southern origin. Dyckias native to a norther part of Brazil tend to bear fewer leaves. Just one look and we get to know where this plant comes from or the parents are native to.

Why do plants from a northern areas tend to show fewer leaves? Well I may conjecture this is to deal with the low temperatures. I wonder the growing point must be protected from low temperatures. Temperatures may drop to -10 degrees Centigrades and even lower in many areas where Dyckias are found here in nature. Dyckia reitzii grows only in very cold areas. They take severe frosts. Leaves are usually burned but the growing areas in the eye of the plant remains alive. Of course dried grasses help and we also noticed this type of companion may be vital to a Dyckia survival.

Everything is changing all the time. Nature counts on this. All populations must have some weird inividuals and those are the thicket to heavens to a certain species, Plants talk to us! They always show and tell us what is going on. One must have eyes to see, ears to listen, brains to think and gut to dare.

I do love to wander amid Dyckias and wonder what is God´s idea of ideal.

Human beings are going farer than ever and this is so thanks to those who dared to think  and the weird. We must be more than sapiens, wise.

Constantino Gastaldi 09th July 2024                                                      Joinville - Santa Catarina - Brazil