I did not mean to get on a rant about straw flowers. I agree with Ian and I'll leave it at that. Congrats on the great find at HD, Harriet!
All winners in the bunch!
Jim

Nice cactus collection! What is this? I like how the spines are wraped around the plant body.
Jim

They all look great! The astros look perfect! Great job!
Jim

Hey, maybe when I win the Powerball I can afford to sue Altmans to stop putting those straw flowers on! What the heck am I thinking? I could afford to have my own nursery!
Jim

It seems to me if the plants come from Altmans Nursery there are going to be straw flowers glued everywhere. I can tell from Harriet's pics that her plants did not come from Altmans. Sometimes HD and especially Lowe's go through a different vendor. Sorensens maybe? In any case it helps to check a bi...

The spines on Andrews cactus look more like S. Thurberii than a Ferocactus spines to me. Thanks Tony for the pictures it helps to have something to compare the two.

I agree with iann. Stenocereus Thurberii.
Jim

It's got the fat ribs of a Melocactus. Melocactus ernestii?

That's a really great find for Home Depot! Very nice Melocactus. They are among my favorite cacti. You are lucky they did not have straw flowers glued all over them.
Jim

Thanks Dustin. I'll check out Ebay.

Does anyone know where I can order some quality coir online? I can't seem to find it in my area. Can I use the stuff they sell in pet stores for reptile bedding or is that coir something different?
Thanks!

Jim from Delaware here. I'm so glad I found this forum! The cultivation topics have been partically helpfull! In just a couple of day's I feel I am much more informed about my hobby. Thanks to all for the great info!