Welcome to the DSLR world Peter. You will experience a new world that can be both amazing and frustrating at the same time. The modern P&S camera can produce wonderful results, primarily by taking the creative tools out of your hands. The DSLR puts those back. Results will be mixed until you dis...

RE: 36 golden barrels ...

Maybe the inspiration was this ... if so, he has a good start but miles to go!!

Cheers ... GeneS

VERY Cool Vicent!!! Can you embelish a bit on these? Are they all x F. fordii? Have you used saved pollen? These species flower about 2-3 months apart for me and my results have been negative with saved pollen. Have you attempted other species as maternal parents? Any other tips for the unsuccessful...

What PeterB said!!

That's two in a row for Non-cacti succulents.

Excellent entries from everyone and a great winner.

Cheers ... GeneS

Not submitted for the contest but, my personal favorite Yellow flowering cacti ..
A 2009 image of Thelocactus conothelos ssp aurantiacus - from Mesa Garden seed of SB329

Cheers ... GeneS

RE: Feroberga = F. stainsii x L. principis - I have tried this with F. stainsii ssp pilosus several times. Produced seed but was not fertile. A plant has been circulating in the trade for the last year - offered as seed by Jurgen -- a three was cross he calls Feroberggrusonii. It is quite unusual bu...

Good comments everyone ... thanks I have attempted F. fordi (both ssp.) numerous times as it seems to be the choice of European sources I found. Have tried it both directions. I've also tried almost all of the dry fruited Feros over the years. And, a number of the pulpy fruit species as well. I have...

I have made many attempts over the years to create my own Ferobergia. Here is a typical test from this summer. First, I chose a mother from among my older plants d5361_crop.jpg Next, a pollen donor - here, a Fero townsendianus from my yard - a dry fruited Fero as is L.principis d5356_crop.jpg Remova...

Here is the before shot that goes with my posted selection ... 2 days earlier. d5332_L-principis_B4.jpg another - not chosen -- Fero townsendianus v. santa maria d5272_F_gatesii_bcu.jpg What happens to Astrophytum when GH temps reach 120! d5248_A_asterias_2Hot.jpg An old Copiapoa - dura, I think -- ...

A photo with some history ...

Seed from Cereusly Tony sown 12/29/09 - this is first flower 8/26/12. Fresh seed from good parents sure does help!

This one may be a little tougher ... but, definately in the Burseraceae. Probably in Commifera or Bursera.

Will need an image with flower and fruit to be sure but a good preliminary guess would be Bursera fagaroides.

Cheers ... GeneS

My guess is that your plant may be Decaria madagascariensis, a member of the Didiereaceae.
It is easily identified by the leaves, when they appear.

Cheers ... GeneS

Thanks everyone. I didn't really expect that, being somewhat off the subject (cacti) but am glad I could share. For those that like aloes, the large plant in the back is Aloe 'David Varity' obtained from HBG as ISI 2001-20 and the smaller plant in right foreground is Aloe superfoliata, another HBG o...

Just got to reply to this one ... Ray Bethell is a living legend in the sport kite world. I've seen him perform at many West Coast (of California) events and he never fails to amaze. His demos with large multiple stacks are jaw-dropping. In my old pre-digital photo archives, there are shots of him f...

In my neighborhood, Winter means lots of Aloes in flower. Here is a 2 Dec view outside my patio door.

Enjoy ... GeneS