So, I used SIRO CATO (with peat) + sand + cat litter 2+3+1 and leca as a drainage. Argh!, the dreaded SIRO CATO (and any other such "cactus soil", which is basically peat with sharp sand added). I refuse to use it, but I understand your lack of options. Incidentally, I have found recently...

Patrick wrote: ↑Fri Oct 01, 2021 8:33 pm I don't know those I'm afraid. Anything without peat here seems to be impossible

I believe you are right. And if you do find anything without peat, please let me know!

One more question. I find now two types of ready substrate for cacti and succulents in garden centers of Algarve: Floragard Kakteenerde (from Germany) and Siro Cato (Portugal). Ready substrate I use as a component of own mixture usually about 1/3 of volume. Who has an experience with these substrat...

Sclerosis?

This is likely old news for you, but my go-to site regarding all things Rebutia has a big list of references and photos regarding R. gavazzzii: http://rebutia.sk/idents/gavazzii.htm Unfortunately, it doesn't host the pictures himself and rather lists where they can be found, so some searching will s...

Lovely plants, Diane.

I am almost there! Well, for my A. hintonii plants, that is. I wonder if they flower at the same age / size. I have a few A. hintonii from the same year that look nowhere near flowering size. In fact, I grafted one of the minute seedlings to Pereskiopsis, then to Myrtillocactus, and despite being a...

Do you think the seedling in the middle is trying to do the same, looking similar to the big one at the growing point? The change of spination is possibly a sign of maturity (Strombocactus and Lophophora spring to mind), so yes, I'm expecting that one to come to age this year. Seed is very easy to ...

...to those who wait seven years. Not the slowest in my experience (8 years for Pelecyphora aselliformis), but it may well be a particularly precocious individual. I can't help the feeling of accomplishment!

Very sad to read this. Terry was immensely knowledgeable and willing to part with his knowledge, but I remember mostly his kindness the handful of times I met him. My condolences to Jennifer and his family.