Alan Hart always did well with conos from seed. He recommended continually adding top dressing with very fine grit as the seedlings grow, in order to prevent moss & algae development. I've lately been using silver sand, and his method does work. I find it it also adds support to the seedlings an...

I see Ian uses the usual method of scattering the seeds to space them out. I'm fascinated by (and intened to try) Brians method - he seems to dump it all in the middle of the pot, and they do really well for him, packed together like that.

I wish the NW would be later in the year. It's a held at a lovely place, but (in my opinion) is so hard to get to - and especially at that time of year when poor weather often makes getting there and back even more difficult. It obviously doesn't deter people as it's always over-subscribed, but late...

A few of my observations sending Conos & Adros worldwide. When Phytos were free (up to about 15 years ago) I had the same inspector come once a week. He had no clue what he was looking at and just enjoyed a chat and cup of tea, before writing out the certificate. His field of expertise was check...

"Oakdene", Gordon Foster's place near Barnsley should be a reasonable trip. And probably only another hour to Abbey Brook from there.

It's definately "Wisewood" Mike. Horace and Violet lived there for many years. Brian should still have it. Otherwise, try some of the older Sheffield branch members, like Betty Williams or Alan Hill. If you get time, have a look at my outdoor bed and let me know how the freezing temps this...

Derek may recall the time, when we were driving just a small VW Golf, a farmer accused us of stealing his sheep! Then there was the time a farmer watching from distance, thought Derek's tripod was a gun..... And another occasion, when a farmer let down his tyres! But mostly, they are very friendly a...

Julie Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Thanks, Chris. Do you happen to know who Bella > was, Lithops karasmontana ssp. bella? > bella is not a person Julie - bella in Latin means beautiful. If you're interested in nomenclature, this is a very useful website; http://ww...

From the website;

"Women & Cacti" http://www.kwiki.republika.pl/wom.html

Crassula susannae
discovered by SUSANNA LAVRANOS, the wife of John Lavranos


Euphorbia suzannae, Aloe suzannae
SUZANNA MUIR, the wife of Dr. J.MUIR - discoverer of species, see also hortenseae

All I know is that Willy Stevens-Jones was English and liked Conos & Opera, as Steven H explains in the Conograph. Ray Alcock new him, or at least corresponded. Ray once told me they swopped material. It's a pretty rubbish Cono anyway. It's just a spotty breve or pageae and I've never understood...