Ahh ! Now we are getting into the good stuff :-) As CP says, M. intertexta is a prolific bloomer and because it is highly variable, you should have 10 or 20 different clones to fully enjoy this easy to grow plant. My passion for cactus is centered around flower power and IMHO, Matucana is the clear ...

That's only fair Daiv -- Since Daiv outed me with an excellent habitat shot, I thought some might like to see what I was seeing. Buck must have Googled my map co-ordinates, or, more likely, he recognized some of his previous handiwork. JMCC is a highly recommended visit, especially in Feb, Mar when ...

There is a reported field sighting of our host -Daiv, working on his entry for the next contest.

This collection recorded 3/25/06 at 34° 0.95'N, 117° 26.97'W (near Jurupa, CA)



Expect to see the results in a week or so :-)

GeneS -dgimages

I'll echo that ...

The choices are getting tougher for the voters and the quality is being pushed by the contributers. Good job to all.

GeneS -dgimages
PS. Even though I can't vote, I will extend "extra points" to franj for his unique choice.

For all you will likely ever need to know about grafting / micrografting cactus -- try this link

http://sphosting.com/cactus/grafting_tips.html

GeneS, who only grafts when it is tooo late for any other remedy ...!

Good choice for a starter. E. obesa is about the easiest of all E to germinate and grow on. Go scoup up one of those Tuscon anthills for the nice course top gravel and mix in about 20% coir or supersoil. Pack in a pot and soak the pot and media in water containing a 10-20% normal dosage of your favo...

These links may be of help on your A. ferox/marlothii id problem. I find them almost impossible to identify until they bloom. Then it is no problem. A third problem is the proliferation of names and hybrids. A newer intro that is especiall hard to tell from ferox is A. ortholopha but it's a great pl...

Please excuse me for this belated "Thank You" to all that took the time to look over the great images that have been shared. You, the voters, encourage our passions in the hobby and provoke us to do a better job of archiving and sharing our successes. I hope it also gives many more of you ...

Unusual color is often a point of view. I have seen many plants in collections and on the show bench that barely resemble the habitat plant. A common case is that of Turbinicarpus that are mostly grown as round green balls. Especially those freshly bought from the volume producers. What is even more...

Degrafting is not a problem IF, your growing conditions allow successful culture of the ungrafted plant. In the case of Astrophytum, these conditons are easily met by most. Just make sure the the grafted plant is growing and healthy then cut away. Dry off as any cuting and pot it up. Best to do this...

Anyone needing inspiration for the new contest might find it here ... http://www.karl-rabsilber.de/

I highly recommend having some time to spare before you begin

GeneS

http://www.cactiguide.com/graphics/forum/56227508-M.jpg Here's one for the taxonimists. Lobivia jajoiana v nigrastomata From seed of MN30, a Mats Winberg collection at Tilcara, Jujuy, Argentina Current classifications appear to submerge it into E. pentlandii or E. marsoneri I don't know what impres...

I agree ... let's do it again. I'm open to almost any subject matter. And ... Cheers to faslimy ... It would definately be my shout if I were in NZ, but I'll just have to owe it to you for now:-) If you ever come this direction, there's always a room available at the Kiwi hotel (my house, but that's...

Having read the preceeding posts, I have several comments. Firstly, cheers to Daiv for the idea. Most C&S fanciers I have known over the years are constantly accompanied by cameras. Especially now that the vest pocket digital is so cheap and capable. We go to meetings with slide shows and Ooh-Ah...

Here's my favorite desktop ... enter it into the fray



Mammillaria saboae v.(or ssp) haudeana
For size reference, pot od = 10 cm