ISI 2015-2. Echinopsis ‘For Norma’

It has been ten years since any new Schick Echinopsis hybrids have been introduced. Nevertheless, the catalog is still on our website and interest has not abated in what are widely acknowledged as some of the best cactus hybrids to date. When Bob Schick retired as a volunteer for the Huntington, he left his entire stock of hybrids with us. Many of these are yet to be named and are potential introductions for the future if they are deemed worthy. Others were already named by Bob and merely await propagation in sufficient quantity for introduction. This offering then constitutes the first of those. It sports a gloriously large flower, to 12 cm (5") across, dominated by orangish-pink tones (though these can be delicate, paler pink in warmer conditions) fading to pastel yellow at the base of the petals. The petals are unusually broad and obovate with a serrate margin and a blunted, nearly truncate apex with an elongate, bristle-like tip. It is named for one of Bob’s, and the Huntington’s, most persistent and indefatigable supporters, Norma Lewis, aka “Crasulady”. The genus Crassula is just one of her passions and her enthusiasm and prodding contributed to the production of Gordon Rowley’s Crassula, A Grower's Guide in the form of many photographs by this author and, some by Norma herself, of the extensive collection of the genus that she accumulated. Other passions include Haworthia, Gasteria, Hoya, Sansevieria and, yes, Schick Echinopsis hybrids, all of which she has tirelessly promoted and generously shared. It seems fitting that Bob wanted to return the favor in some small measure by naming one of his choicer selections in her honor. It is his cross 1782-22, ‘High Noon’ × ‘Seismosaurus’, made 7/14/97. Rooted offsets of HBG 123338, $9.50.