I think it's fair to say that I'm "Insane" verging on "Ludicrous".

The little black flies do sound like Fungus Gnats. The adults are harmless, but their nasty, evil, seedling-murdering maggots are on my Top 10 Most Hated Insect List! Here's some info on them.

Did I mention I hate them?

Just a thought...sometimes they will do this when they get very, very thirsty. My Ferocactus herrerae will do this if I forget about it for too long! Shocking, but fixable.

Bill, please stop spray painting your plants, it's not nice!

"Insane" status is earned at 300+ I believe. :wink: Over 1,000 is "Ludicrous", and at 10,000 you are "Deranged". Fortunately for you, you're only "Obsessed"! :D Seriously though, you have the start of a nice collection there, all nicely potted and arranged.

Here's my Mammillaria lenta showing off with 10 flowers open!

Take a bow Daiv!

That is fantastic! Now, tell us how you did it. Did you use a webcam?

Truly amazing pictures Daiv! Good job!

#1 Mammillaria magnimamma
#2 Echeveria, possibly subsessilis/peacockii
#3 Crassula perforata, in need of stronger light
#4 Pachyphytum compactum

They all look very healthy. If you gradually get them into stronger light they'll show their true colors & forms for you.

Yes, I have accidentally sprayed lady bugs and bees and neither was harmed.

I'm tempted to say it's a variety of Sulcorebutia canigueralii too. There are several variants, and they produce beautiful red & yellow bicolored flowers. Sulcorebutia canigueralii http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v446/amyweishuhn/Cacti%20and%20Succulents/Rebutias%20and%20Sulcos/th_Scaniguerali...

The first one looks like Parodia submammulosus, which is very closely related to P. turecekiana. Here is a photo of P. turecekiana: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v446/amyweishuhn/Cacti%20and%20Succulents/Parodia/th_Pturecekiana.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v446/amyweishuhn/Cacti%20and%2...

I use both products and like them because they are very safe to use. The three products in one actually is a neem oil product that is organic and safe to use around people and pets. It's very effective on mealies and I've used it as a drench on heavily infested plants with good results. Safer's is g...

Hi there Tim, I'm not an expert either! But I do have some of the more difficult Mamm. species, so I can relate to your frustration. Unfortunately, there is a steep learning curve when it comes to growing the rot-prone species. You often lose a few before you get the hang of it. Don't be discouraged...

Saglionis is the correct spelling, "saglione" is misspelled. I think your first one could be Gymnocalycium monvillei.