My reasoning was that, instead of sterilizing the soil, I'd make it more biologically active as opposed to a sterile soil which is more susceptible to pathogens. This is what I'm using: https://www.terraaquatica.com/beneficial-microorganisms/trikologic-2/ https://www.terraaquatica.com/beneficial-mi...

How was your germination from ADBLPS seeds? Overall I had good germination with my ADBLPS seeds. I had no germination with Pterocactus araucanus, Pterocactus megliolii and Puna bonnieae. I did —at a later stage— order another batch of Pterocactus seeds from ADBLPS and had very good results. I sowed...

Nice!
I like how the path and the 'beds' are one whole. It gives a more natural feel.

Interesting looking plant. It takes a while to come out of a depression. Congrats!

Do they have any idea what these ‘first cacti’ looked like?

I think the instruction manual mentions to add the product before adding other fertilizers and products. I’m saying this because, if I’m not mistaken, the TPS CalMag is added as the last ingredient of the fertilizer mix. I don’t know if this is important to mention or not.

I really like your setup. The tire, the pot on the stack of bricks, the red watering can and the pyramid. Trashy, but in a very good way. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way. I mean it as a compliment.

Curious to see what's inside that pyramid. Enbalmed cacti?

That American Elk is a mature female? It doesn’t seem shy.

I agree with Nino _G. If you buy or receive a cactus, it's best to gradually introduce it to full sun. Once 'fully introduced' a cactus can take a lot of sun and heat. There are exceptions, e.g. recently repotted specimens are better kept in bright indirect light for a while. The same goes for cacti...

Photo's 5 & 6 remind of symptoms my E. grusonii had several years ago. They developed when I suddenly put it in full sun. I'm not saying it's identical. Your's has it on the side and not so much on the top of the plant.

I have yet to receive them. MrXeric got seeds from ADBLPS recently. I think his list is in the same page as this reply.

Amazing! Everything looks healthy and thriving. Yet I see no real monsters trying to push out the roof. True. He had some larger plants planted directly in the ground at the back of the greenhouse (see photo below). It's possible he sold or gave away larger specimens, because he intents to stop his...

When I visit him again I'll ask, but that won't be until March/April 2024. I'll try to remember.

My reasoning was that, instead of sterilizing the soil, I'd make it more biologically active as opposed to a sterile soil which is more susceptible to pathogens. This is what I'm using: https://www.terraaquatica.com/beneficial-microorganisms/trikologic-2/ https://www.terraaquatica.com/beneficial-mic...