So far, so good. I was delighted to discover that the fresh seeds are a lovely pink colour!

Last Import - opuntiapod.jpg My O.phaecantha was kind enough to flower for me last July. It produced this seed pod which has slowly ripened and shriveled since then. Two questions: Am I ok to detach the seed pod or should I wait for it to drop off (that said, it still seems pretty well attached)? I...

The ideal way to combat the stultifying post-Christmas limbo..... prick out the gymnocalycium seedlings!

Thanks for the tips Suzanne. You're right that the slugs and snails have had a go at my plants, but like you say, the benefit of having my succulents outside from March to November definitely makes it worth the risk. I'll keep potting them on in the meantime and look forward to a few flowers when we...

I got some seeds for this mesemb from Mesa Garden last Christmas. They were dead easy to germinate and they've thrived out by the side of the rockery this summer. I'm hoping for flowers next year - does anyone have any cultivation advice to help me get the most out of this succulent?

After a wet, gloomy start in Chesterfield, the weather improved by lunchtime and I was treated to this in the greenhouse:

Well done Rob!
Just to add to the celebrations, my Turbinicarpus viereckii has decided to flower - something it seems to have done about four or five times since March!!

Thanks AnTTun - I invested 40p in a small sieve - it worked a treat. I now have a neat paper packet of Soehrensia formosa seed to sow next spring.

MikeT wrote:Looks like Opuntia salmniana, Simon.

Thanks Mike - it's a ferocious little cactus too - always keen to detach a segment or two if I lean over it! Now here's my next question - just how hardy is it? Should it be OK in my cold greenhouse this winter?

I'm delighted enough as it is that this little Opuntia has flowered - but does anyone have an idea which Opuntia this is / is similar to? The flower didn't open properly till about 7pm this evening - it's a good job I was up in the greenhouse to take these pictures!