Thanks Edds , wouldn’t have thought it was damp compost, don’t water that often and compost 75% mineral. Only thought would be cat litter holding on to moisture for too long - don’t know if that’s a possibility. Plant already rotting is a distinct possibility, May just be the plant. The mother plant...

Thanks Paul. Some sticky fly traps on the way to catch the adults. Thought I might try a Hydrogen Peroxide drench to get the maggots.

Thanks Diane, not Vine Weevil maggots, they like my Fuchsia so I see a few. The RHS description ties in to what I am seeing, they say up to 6mm long.

Thanks Tina, that is a surprise. I remember Sciarid flies when I was growing plants in the house - often with peat. My current compost mix has only about 25% organic compost and I don’t water that often (only 5 times this year) so I am surprised the maggots find the right environment. Do you think t...

Anyone have any ideas what these are? No more than 1cm long, translucentish and move like a worm. Totally removed the roots from from this Gymnocalycium baldianum and directly or indirectly turned the lower part of the plant to mush. Don’t look like vine weevil grubs seen in the garden. Can anybody ...

I would be very wary of Hozelock water butt pumps if I were you. A gasket on my 3 year old pump has failed and Hozelock say they do not sell spares or know anyone who does. Suggested I buy a dud one (?) from Gumtree for parts. Hozelock customer services agreed that I now have £70 worth of junk!!!

Sorry, should have said I believed it to be Copiapoa esmeraldana.

I had one like Rod’s as well. Not sure where confusion came from - seed purchase - sowing - potting on. No doubt once it flowered. (It is hairy underneath the flower but not as much as Rod’s) Apologies for the non-rotation, doing this on phone not PC.

Tesco’s finest is back in store. In North Wales anyway.

Looks like Aloe nobilis to me.