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Dutch Iris (Iris hollandica). I forgot that I planted a few of these bulbs last year.  What a great reminder.

The leaves give it the name fishbone cactus or zig-zag cactus but it is the flower that is the prize. It is not really a cactus but a type of epiphyllum. Disocactus (Epiphyllum) anguliger is native to the forests of Mexico and the flowers only come on mature plants, typically in early summer.  This plant was started as a single cut frond given to me by R. Gale three years ago.  This is its first ever flower and it has arrived in winter. It will only last 1 day.

Do plants get cancer? The answer is, ‘Yes’, if cancer is defined as dysregulated cell growth, but typically plant cancer is different than in animals. Plant cells have a rigid cell wall that limits metastatic spreading of cancer cells through the plant. Instead, the tumor grows as a single mass called a gall. Also, most plant tumors/galls are caused by a viral infection that disrupts the normal expression of genes.   Here is an example that I found in my garden. I think this is an onion bulb where the new shoot has developed as a tumor of abnormal stem/leaf cells.

Our club president recently had the chance to see the Butchart Gardens and loved it.  British Columbia may be a very different climate to San Diego but seeing a garden vision come to life is motivating for all gardeners.

Set on and in 55 acres of an abandoned quarry it is restorative living art.

The Butchart Gardens – Over 100 Years in Bloom – Victoria, Canada