Cactus ID

[NorfolkExotics]

Hi all, I recently purchased this cactus from B&Q after deciding it was my duty to save it from its dimly lit, poorly drained environment, despite having told myself earlier in the year that I should be making purchases less frequently

As someone who is relatively new to cacti (at least in comparison to my unhealthy habit of buying agaves and giving no consideration for space), I would be greatful for any help in finding an identification.

[rodsmith]

Possibly a melocactus.

[Stuart]

Melocactus Azureus - keep it warm!
Stuart

[NorfolkExotics]

Thank you!

[el48tel]

A thought ... with no preconceptions ... so don't bellow at me ....
Why do Lidl, Aldi, B&Q and Garden Centres all sell Melocactus which need fairly stringent growing conditions, without a name label, let alone an indication of what the plant needs to survive?

[NorfolkExotics]

They don't care about suitable growing conditions etc. because they sell most of them to people that want windowsill decoration/office plants who have no clue about how to adequately care for them and most likely wont take the time to do the slightest bit of research as to potting mixtures/watering. They probably can't be bothered to offer suitable growing conditions because they aren't selling to a market that has a clue (that and it would probably take too much time and effort). B&Q also had mammillarias as well as some ferocactus, not exactly plants famed for being moisture loving...
The Jardinland chain in France, though obviously more specialist than B&Q etc. has also been quite bad for growing conditions of plants in my experience. I have been to several in which plants that really want no business with excessive water were sitting in a large tray full of water while already completely waterlogged in a potting mixture with no grit at all, and on top of that the lighting was sub-optimal. One of these in particular was near Carcassonne and I felt so bad for a little agave isthmensis that I had to buy it (took it out of the pot in the car park and the roots were soaking). For the amount of plants that they must kill through such conditions, surely they would make more money by ensuring reasonable conditions?

[esp]

A thought ... with no preconceptions ... so don't bellow at me ....
Why do Lidl, Aldi, B&Q and Garden Centres all sell Melocactus which need fairly stringent growing conditions, without a name label, let alone an indication of what the plant needs to survive?

Arguably, Melocactus make better houseplants than collectors plants - they would be much happier in a central heated room on a sunny windowsill than in a cool greenhouse.

[el48tel]

Point taken about the growing conditions. But no label ... name or hint about conditions was my main point. At least the larger plants in IKEA come with a name so you get some clue ... or could do should you Google it.

[Phil_SK]

The sooner you kill it, the sooner you'll buy a replacement.

[el48tel]

The sooner you kill it, the sooner you'll buy a replacement.