The old soil line is pretty obvious and it is safest to plant to that to avoid rot. The Rapicactus group of Turbinicarpus go from a normal globular/short cylindrical shape sitting on the soil to more and more leggy species on thinner stems in order to elevate themselves quickly above ground and surrounding plants in habitat culminating in the extreme tuberous rooted Rapicactus subterraneus that looks like a little plant on top of a vastly etiolated stem, but that is normal growth. Some lump most of the species as subspecies or varieties of T. beguinii.
Echinomastus erectocentrus I cant grow these in CA , I had a bunch in Phoenix AZ. I had a sick looking one in CA and when I moved it to phoenix it mad a remarkable recovery flowered and grew etc. And moved back some years later and they all died the roots just dried up. Maybe its hotter where you live that can only help I think. And the plants look great all of them. I bought some seeds see what I can get to germinate.
Dave's plants are awesome. I still have not planted my two zaragosa that came from Miles as well. Could you post a pic of your potted up plants, Aloha? If you don't mind. I'm going to hit Poots in the morning to see if I can find any hidden gems. I think the problem might be for me is that I don't hit the back half of the place vs the front half.
We also have trouble growing things like Echinomastus in the UK, at least on their own roots and many are grown grafted since rooted plants are touchy. Different people disagree how to grow them, particularly regarding rest seasons and watering:-
SuccSeed says:-
"Growing: In summer full sun and regular watering. The more sun the better spination and growth! Winter temp recommended 5-12 C. Some species can be a bit tricky from seed but worth trying. Echinomastus laui is a small much wanted species."
Illiff says for Echinomastus mariposensis and Cactus Art-Biz uses the exact same quote for Echinomastus johnstonii:-
"Cultivation and Propagation: Echinomastus mariposensis is a most beautiful cactus but rarely seen in cultivation. It is quite difficult to grow on its own roots. Very easily rot! It’s thought that’s better to watch this species in photo or in the natural habitat rather than to try to cultivate it. For this reasons the plant is often grafted on a frost hardy stock.
Soil: Use mineral well-permeable substratum with very little organic matter (peat, humus). It needs perfect drainage to flourish.
Repotting: Repotting every 2-3 years. As it is especially prone to rot under-pot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost. Use pot with good drainage.
Exposition: This plant need full sun and above all a very good ventilation, especially in winter. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Watering: Water sparingly during the growing season and keep totally dry during winter. In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! Care must be taken with watering as they tends to become swollen and untidy in growth habit if given too much water and shade.
Fertilization: During the growing season enrich the soil using a fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorous, but poor in nitrogen, because this chemical element doesn’t help the development of succulent plants, making them too soft and full of water.
Hardines: It can tolerate temperature below zero (-15° C or less)."
Bruno M from Rome wrote on the BCSS Forum:-
"After killing many I understood that mature plants of this genus love cold and dry conditions and have a rather short growing period: they start in February/March, then take a rest from beginning of June to early fall, when they start again, sometimes growing till the end of November (here in Rome!). To me respecting the June-August rest period, is more important than the soil mix and-or acidifying the water. I never water the plant if it is too hot and do not water often, they get water about 5-6 times per year, E. unguispins gets some more water than the others. To my limited knowledge Sclerocactus and Pediocactus seem to have an even shorter growing period and require very cold winters, which (luckily) seldom happens here."
I know these were your extras and doubles so you could make room for new ones in the space you allow yourself for your collection, but to me they are new and amazing! Many thanks for sharing!!!
The Echinomastus laui made it onto my wish list when I saw bartab's awesome blooms of this species and the spines of it in the Blooming Thread on our General forum. Little did I know that I was about to receive one and so much more!
Here are the newcomers (to me). Really excited about these nice specimens, blooming size on several. Removed many old blooms before potting. Fascinating spines on the E. laui and the E. jussieui.
Echinomastus laui_bartab.jpg (132.36 KiB) Viewed 2224 times
Sulcorbutia mizquensis_bartab.jpg (77.02 KiB) Viewed 2224 times
Rebutia narvaecense_bartab.jpg (104.09 KiB) Viewed 2224 times
Eriosyce odieri_bartab.jpg (83.36 KiB) Viewed 2224 times
Eriosyce jussieui_bartab.jpg (98.82 KiB) Viewed 2224 times
Sulcorbutia rauschii_bartab.jpg (117.84 KiB) Viewed 2224 times
Eriosyce jussieui now = Eriosyce heinrichianus, presumably as the latter name takes priority. Ritter at first used P. jussieui but later adopted heinrichianus. Plants the same whatever you call it!
see what I can get to germinate.
