BCSS - Forum

A few to add. First is Leuchtenbergia...then opuntia imbricata...and finally Echinopsis/Trichocereus chiloensis

Thank you everyone for taking part, I was looking for some good spiny plants and was not disappointed. Yet again there has to be a decision and another difficult one. Some truly horrendous Opuntia spines, some beautifully presented spines and spikes and a couple of delightful Gymnocalycium spegazzzinnii. I had to go for Mike T's Opuntia imbricata, it was well presented, sharp in photo and spines and regular in pattern. All things that appeal to me. So, Mike over to you.

Though it's tunicata, I think, isn't it?

Hi Phil. I thought it was O tunicata, too, as I have one myself. I was judging the pictures, so decided not to mention names, as I have had so many occasions when my names have been corrected.

Thanks, Liz

The plant is seed grown from a packet labelled imbricata. It had a few years planted out in the open, during which time it became smaller each year. New growth in summer didn't keep pace with bits dying in the winter. The last few years it's been in the cold frame, and seems to prefer this cosseted life. I think imbricata is supposed to be hardier than tunicata (stand to be corrected on this), so that may be a factor in it not liking the outdoor life in sunny Sheffield.

The October topic has now been added.