What's the rush? They survive months without water so will survive a little longer. I usually start in April dependent on the weather, starting with a light mist and building up until they have a proper drop of water.

That's early Roger, has it been out all winter or cosy in a ghouse. Couple of mine are just starting to bud up.

From memory the CSSA subscription jumped from $45 to $70 in one go I would of happily resubscribed but $70 is just too costly. Works out at over £7 per issue of their journal compared to £3.75 for a BCSS journal, which in my opinion is a much superior publication and worth every penny.

Received mine today and just had a look, quick flick through the Nov/Dec 2010 issue and an even quicker flick through the Aloe issue, glad I wasn't looking forward to them and certainly glad I haven't resubscribed

How about Harvest Mites rather than Red Velvet Mites, like rsm they'll be that tiny that you can't distinguish any characteristics with the naked eye. Further info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trombiculidae

Phil Hocking wrote:Coccus Cacti (Silver Grain). Guaranteed to be in accordance with the B.P. 1914. The British Drug Houses Ltd. Manufacturing Chemists, London.

That's what it says on the jar.

cochineal_1.jpg

I have used this to dye wool

Somerset Phil

Thought that was grit when I first looked at the pic

Cochineal

iann wrote:Grafted. Looks like the stock has branched and is starving it. I'm going to go with Stenocactus.

Yes I reckon Stenocactus

No haven't had mine either. Not bothering to subscribe again this year as I think it's pretty expensive for what you get compared to the cost of BCSS membership.

Brings back happy memories Darryl, great pics Oh to feel the desert heat warming my back whilst I photograph some of those wonderful cacti