HELP Identification of three cactus

[Grub wurm]

Hi all I'm new to cactus world and was wondering if anyone could identify these cactus for me? so i can look after them to the best of my ability and know what soil mix to get when they need re-potting, watering etc..

[Phil Hocking]

Welcome to the forum - you've come to the right place. I think you have, left to right, a Gymnocalycium, Aloe ferox and Astrophytum ornatum. Something like that anyway. I prefer to grow them in a mixture of John Innes number 2 with about one third added grit. Avoid peat based compost or anything that claims to be 'cactus compost'. Water them from April to October and always let them dry out before watering again. They can stay dry over the winter indoors in a cool light position. During the growing season avoid watering if it looks like there is going to be a protracted period of cold damp weather. They will forgive you for keeping them dry for long periods but could easily perish if kept in cold soggy conditions.

Somerset Phil

[Grub wurm]

Thanks a lot Phil i was looking for ages on Google to try find them, i had no idea the Aloe ferox could grow so big could i contain the size of it by trimming the roots once a year or so?

[topsy]

Hi Grub Wurm,

Welcome to the Forum, I hope you find it useful and I am sure you will find it friendly.

I have to beg to differ with Phil over the identification of the Aloe, I think it is Aloe broomii, it turns up very frequently in the garden centres and places like Ikea, it will still get quite large, but perhaps not quite as big as Aloe ferox.

Good growing and enjoy your plants.

Suzanne Mace

[McFarland]

What suzanne said, the aloe is broomii

[Grub wurm]

Thanks for the replies now i know what they are i can treat them accordingly, I've noticed on the broomii on the right hand side, one of the leaves have a black spot and is turning yellow is there a problem with it or is there nothing to worry about? i'm not sure if you can quite see it in the picture

[anttisepp]

Gymnocalycium monvillei

[Greenlarry]

Lovely trio! I used to have Aloe ferox, and it got big and spiky. Those spines are painful come repotting time! Fabulous tho!