Fouquieria SPLENDENS

Fouquieria SPLENDENS - Ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens.

Can be grown in bonsai style!

Fouquieria is a genus of woody plants in the monotypic family Fouquieriaceae. In total, there are 10 species of fouquierias, and many of them grow in the southern United States and Western Mexico. The genus is named in honor of the French physician Pierre Fouquier.

It grows as a xerophytic shrub, typically with vertical branches. Some species can reach heights of up to 15 m (49 ft). There are two types of leaves. The first are true green leaves with a simple leaf blade. They are arranged on shortened shoots alternately or in a spiral. Such leaves appear only after rains. During the rest of the year, Fouquieria has the second type of leaves - spines. Flowering begins in spring, after rains. Numerous flowers are gathered in panicles, racemes, or spikes. The flowers are bisexual, with a double perianth. There are 5 free sepals of unequal size. Five red, pale-violet, yellow, or cream petals usually fuse together. The flowers have 10-23 free stamens. Three carpels fuse above the ovary. Each ovary bears multiple (6-20) ovules. The fruit is a capsule. The seeds are winged.

Ocotillo is a succulent native to arid and desert locations, occupying areas ranging from Texas, Arizona, and Southern California to Western Mexico. This plant prefers nutrient-poor sandy or loamy soils. It grows as a tree or shrub. From its low, squat trunk, a cluster of straight, slender stems rises upward, 5 cm (2.0 in) in diameter and completely studded with spines. Ocotillo can grow up to 10 m (33 ft).

For most of the year, this plant has "dead" or partially green stems with large spines. As with many other similar plants, spines serve as protection against herbivorous animals. With the onset of the rainy season, an amazing transformation takes place with ocotillo. It quickly becomes covered with small 2-4 cm (0.8-1.6 in) oval-shaped leaves. Because of this, the bush acquires a certain fluffiness. The leaves can persist on the plant for several weeks and even months. Flowering begins at the end of the winter rainy season. Tubular bright red flowers are gathered at the tops of stems in dense inflorescences. They are pollinated by bees, hummingbirds, and other small birds.

Seeds do not require pre-treatment. They are sown superficially in a mixture of peat, perlite (vermiculite), sand, and brick chips. They are moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light at a temperature of 22-24 °C (72-75 °F). Sprouts require ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of crops must be avoided.

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It grows very slowly; at 10 years of age it can reach 40-80 cm (16-31 in). In indoor culture, with good care, it grows somewhat faster. It is well shaped by pruning and in bonsai style. It withstands drought and temperature drops down to -4 °C (25 °F). It requires good lighting and moderate watering. Planting soil should be sandy; good drainage is necessary.