Copiapoa cinerea prices

[greatnorthernexotic]

This copiapoa cinerea just sold for £437. I've seen one recently go for £500+. What do you think contributes to these prices, considering others in the genus don't go for anywhere near as much. Social media hype? Rarity in cultivation?

[el48tel]

You may have identified two main factors.
And there's nothing like a bit of hype (social media especially) to push demand and price.

[DaveW]

As long as you put "rare" or "choice" on any plant on EBAY no matter how common it will sell for a stupid price. However a plant that size has taken a few years to grow, but not £437 worth. I like then adding postage is extra at £5.50p.

The main attraction of the C. cinerea group in habitat or pre CITES as collected plants was the white farina they produced probably due to conditions and slow growth in habitat usually not reproduced in cultivated plants.

Cacti are not a hobby for those in a hurry, but you do get some impatient "cheque book" collectors who must have instant plants. However unless you can continue to grow them they are expensive to loose!

[Tina]

They are very slow to grow them to this size & they are beautiful plants, don't get too big, not demanding of special conditions or temps.
I had this in my watch list as its looked nice n clean.

[ianstrutt]

Given how old that is, the more I think about it that price seems reasonable.

I was at Tony Morris’ auction yesterday and it became abundantly obvious that well grown plants will fetch a premium. I spent more than I thought I would have to but came away with some beautiful plants.

[greatnorthernexotic]

Given how old that is, the more I think about it that price seems reasonable.

I was at Tony Morris’ auction yesterday and it became abundantly obvious that well grown plants will fetch a premium. I spent more than I thought I would have to but came away with some beautiful plants.

What were the prices, roughly? At Colin Norton's auction last year mature lophs, ariocarpus and copiapoa we're going for anywhere from £120 to £200.

Ultimately any plant is worth what someone is willing to pay for it, but my original point was that you could pay a a fraction of the price for a similar sized c. coquimbana or even c. haseltoniana. Cinerea (and columna-alba) seem to be the hyped species currently.

[Tina]

Ha ha, it was me at Tony's with a bit of a copiapoa obsession, although I'm about done with copiapoa apart from one last plant on the list.
I now have two flowering adult c.columnar -alba so well pleased.

Tonys plants were mostly good quality, really old 'sort of heritage plants' as often you can follow/find out where they came from, often another mature growers auctions & as Graham said are easily 100+ years old.
Some of his collection hadn't been watered as he hadn't finished watering when he became poorly ( I was told)

Cinerea (and columna-alba) seem to be the hyped species currently.

not hyped but much slower growing and less common ( apart from at Tonys).

[Benjy]

but my original point was that you could pay a a fraction of the price for a similar sized c. coquimbana or even c. haseltoniana. Cinerea (and columna-alba) seem to be the hyped species currently.

I don't think its hyped, slower to grow, flowering and reliable seed not always available. C.coquimbana & haseltoniana flower often produce loads of seed and grow easier and faster.

[iann]

Even Copiapoa solaris sales on eBay are getting hyped with "no cinerea" descriptions. Seems strange since one is much rarer and slower than the other, and at least a few years ago was desperately expensive. They might be pushing their luck with this one, though:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175352216644 ... R6CnleGbYg

[ianstrutt]

Even Copiapoa solaris sales on eBay are getting hyped with "no cinerea" descriptions. Seems strange since one is much rarer and slower than the other, and at least a few years ago was desperately expensive. They might be pushing their luck with this one, though:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175352216644 ... R6CnleGbYg

It's also listed in the 'dried and artificial plants' category!