Yey
Just my personal opinion but

clearly more grit =more oxygen flow = more beneficial bacteria and fungi of the right type= some will only cultivate on hard oxygen rich surface= more symbiotic relationship between plant fungi and soil bacteria = better nutrient uptake

You can get a Handbook of Shows from the British Cactus & Succulent Society, but that of course only applies to our as others have different rules and I doubt you are going to be lugging those Mammillarias back to the UK for our shows? https://society.bcss.org.uk/index.php/book-contents/handboo...

bartab wrote: ↑Fri Mar 06, 2020 12:17 am I was told this hobby did not require math.

The hobby does not need maths but the forum certainly does need some mad scientists.....

Some great observational inputs on this thread...thanks

but when posted for a time to manage his firms office in South Africa he took some with him and it germinated like weeds. What were the different conditions he could not work out, but it must have been something to do with climate etc.. As always hard is what will not grow for you. In the right cli...

VERY NICE, Sir! The cycad -Sago palm is spectacular! Your entire place is quite admirable to say the least. Thanks Steve I've had the place designed and built totally from the ground up. The blueprint was to use the vacant site to best usage with a large holiday style home. I incorporated some loca...

Hello good cactus people Just a few pics of how and where I use my cactus around my house in Pakistan and where I am currently in lockdown with them Usually we as a family sit either under the verandah or around the patio but because of work ongoing with the raised bed/water feature all the outdoor ...

Sir, first, my background is 35 years in graphic arts, design and commercial printing. Good points? They all display well and seem quite healthy. I hope you have some placed in your sitting area for close appreciation when you are outdoors. The large wide containers on stands are nice and it brings...

Greetings and welcome to the forum from Pakistan with Love

Your cactus collection is very neatly arranged. You seem like a person who pays a great deal of attention to detail. I'm sure you will be a most successful cactus grower with your skills

The plants are very nice . The pots might be too big for the plants for a cactus show. The show plants I've seen usually fill the pots completely. For shows I think " how did they get such big plants in small pots" Hi Keith Thanks for your comment. For somebody with your level of expertis...

Sir, first, my background is 35 years in graphic arts, design and commercial printing. Good points? They all display well and seem quite healthy. I hope you have some placed in your sitting area for close appreciation when you are outdoors.. Thanks for sharing with us! Steve Hi Steve thank you for ...

Hello Billy Great to see a bit of cacti culture being exported from the fens instead of taters...... as tasty as they are...lol :D :D :D Welcome to the forum and look forward to hearing of your experiences and your cactus pics.. Greetings btw from Pakistan its 29deg c here today. Wall to wall sunshi...

Dodi Russell wrote: ↑Sat Apr 04, 2020 11:08 am New spines

Cacti are so different in many ways from many other plants. I have over 50 years experience in horticulture and I'm still learning new things.
Thanks

What are these tiny red bud like growths coming out of the woolly bits in Coryphantha Elephantidens. They almost look like the start of tiny flower buds but I thought this variety had bigger flowers. I hope you can see them in the photos they seem to follow growth next to each other like a circle sh...

I suppose the biggest damage done would be shock if they are watered when the pots and plants are heated up. Hope it's difficult to find cold water in Sri Lanka. :) Newton, in what country do you grow your nice cacti? Hi antisepp In these days of doom and gloom all compliments are gratefully receiv...

diana.v wrote: ↑Fri Apr 03, 2020 1:11 pm Hello .
That's what I really hope for too, Chas! I want when I'm 80 (if I get there ) to sit in my future cacti greenhouse with a cup of tea and just marvel at my old beauties
!

I do that now and the grandchildren complain that I talk a lot more to the plants these days....lol