Gymnocalycium Graft

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Title: Gymnocalycium Graft
Medium: Digital Photography
Photographer: Aaron J. Greenblatt
Camera Type: Panasonic DMC-LZ7 Lumix 7.2 MP
Editing: Edited in PhotoShop 7.0 for color accuracy, size, and to apply copyright and border.

Location: Photograph taken at the University of Michigan-Dearborn (UMD) greenhouse which is attached to the Science Building on the UMD campus in Dearborn, Michigan.

Permission to take this picture was granted by Dr. Don Miller, faculty member in the Department of Natural Sciences at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Description: These brightly colored cacti were growing in the greenhouse. They are actually two cacti which have been grafter on to each other. The bright pink and orange cacti are Gymnocalycium, while the green cacti stalk they're attached to is some other type - exactly what type I don't know. The grafting makes for an interesting pairing and color contrast.

About Gymnocalycium: Gymnocalycium, commonly called chin cactus, is a genus of about 70 South American species of cacti. The genus name Gymnocalycium (from Greek, "naked calyx") refers to the flower buds bearing no hair or spines.

Their main area of distribution is Argentina, part of Uruguay, Paraguay, southern Bolivia and part of Brazil. Most species are rather small varying from 4 to 15 centimetres in size. They are popular for their easy flowering habits, although the flowers are generally brightly coloured.

About Grafting: Grafting is a method of plant propagation widely used in horticulture (gardening), where the tissues of one plant are encouraged to fuse with those of another. It is most commonly used for the propagation of trees and shrubs grown commercially.

In most cases, one plant is selected for its roots, and this is called the stock or rootstock. The other plant is selected for its stems, leaves, flowers, or fruits and is called the scion. The scion contains the desired genes to be duplicated in future production by the stock/scion plant.

Information Sources:
[link] (wiki)
[link] (wiki)

Legal: Copyright © Aaron J. Greenblatt. All rights reserved. Commercial use prohibited. This image and commentary may not be used for any reason without expressed written consent.


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