I'm new here

[KeithB]

Hi everyone,

I'm Keith (never!!) and at present, live in Stourport with my wife and have two boys (9 and 15). Other than plants, I love wildlife, especially birds!

I'm virtually a total beginner, but have been given the bug from someone on another general forum, which I'm not on now. Not being on there now, I need continued advice and where better to come, than the experts eh? I've started with a beginner set of three from a large retail outlet and since have bought a nice Euphorbia Pentagona. The three are an Opuntia, Lemaireocereus marginatus and a Mammillaria, nothing special, but they started me off! I planted them in a mixed bowl, but thinking about putting them back into individual pots again. I like Aloes, but only have two 'ordinary' ones, atm. Only thing I really need now, is a large greenhouse, so I can really get a collection together! I don't even have a small one. I have always been fascinated by Cacti and even tried to grow some from seed as a teenager, with little or no success and would love to have another go. They were a mixed set from a local G/C, so maybe that was where I went wrong.

Before they went into the mixed pot.



The Euphorbia

[Diane]

Hiya Keith! A big to the forum! You may be a beginner, but stick with us and you'll soon progress.

A greenhouse is pretty essential, though you will see that some of us manage on windowsills, too. If you have the space for one, make it the largest you can manage! This passion of ours can take over a bit!

Your three plants are looking good, but as you have realised, they will be better off in their own pots.

Do keep reading, and don't be shy to post questions, we don't bite, and will help you as much as possible!

[Paul D]

Hi Keith,
welcome, from another birder and a cactus (& succulent) nut. There are some very helpful people here.

[Tina]

Hi Keith &
If you fancy trying seed growing again, have a look at the forum seed pool. All it costs is a couple of stamps.

[KeithB]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.

I will have a look at the seed section, but really need to learn more before I waste any seed. I've got some more compost, so the plants will get returned to their individual pots this week.

[Ray_M]

A very warm welcome Keith,you will get lots of useful advice here and before you know it,you;ll be hooked.Good luck,Ray.

[KeithB]

Thanks Ray, I'm sort of hooked already, if I'm honest. I used to go to the garden centres and head straight for the garden plants outside, especially the ornamental grasses, but recently it's been via the Cacti and Succulent section, first.

[Peter]

HI Keith, nice to meet you. I travelled down from north Shropshire yesterday, to Ashwood Nurseries, which isn't too far from you. Super place, I bought four trees but did spot that they had some nice cacti supplied from Abbey Brook cactus in Matlock.

[KeithB]

Thanks Peter. Apologies, as I thought I had replied to this earlier!

I don't think that is too far from us and will try and check the nursery out, maybe during the kids summer holidays.