Plantidote of the Day 2012-08-23

Mamillaria gracilis

Thimble Cactus

This is a great miniature succulent. It originates in central Mexico, flowers in winter, Zone 9. About 4" high, it forms dense mats. Here in Jersey it is a potted indoor plant most of the year.

More info and a pic of the plant flowering, here. Also a bonus kitty pic below the fold.

So... to balance the small and prickly with the small and fluffy, here's a pic of the new rescue kitty, who came to be named Charlie. He came to us as "Swagger" (and he doesn't have one) and it took a couple of weeks to land on a name. Even then, I had a dream where my partner looked at me and said, "for heaven's sake his name is Charlie... doesn't he look like a Charlie?" So I woke Dave up and told him the new kitty's name and he said, I told you so, and went back to sleep... I try not to think about it too much.

He's a big softy love boy, two years old, pretty chunky. No social skills at all and was getting beat up pretty bad at rescue. I finally decided we'd just have to work him in. As you can see he's decided to bond with Dave although I think the giant recliner is also part of the bonding process. Smudge has declined to notice him and Steve finds him to be an excellent morning stalk.