ECHINOPSIS BARCAROLE

and

SHiCK
Terpsichore

Hi. Your mystery plant is a Hereroa. Not sure which species as there are a few that look like this. Possibly H.calycina or H.puttkameriana?
Catherine

Many thanks Phil

Thanks also to Ray & Tony for those tips.

Can somebody please confirm the name of this spiky thing grown from seed sown about a decade ago, the label long since lost? They've been badly neglected and confined to 7cm pots for the past 8 or so years yet seem reasonably content and are in flower at the moment. I'm favouring Notocactus submammu...

They all seem pretty happy in that bowl Ed. The eberlanzii has sorted itself out over the summer so it's just the lateritia that's in a bit of a muddle. And yes, that's a new head rather than a flower. The new heads normally grow terminally, within the latest leafpair, but additional lateral heads w...

It's probably not so much the quality of the substrate but more the quantity. I can't really see how deep the bowl is but for sure a smaller, shallower pot would help these plants. Or instead of disturbing them you could always add more lithops to the bowl they're currently in :grin: - a denser colo...

Yes, I agree the other plant is ssp. eberlanzii. Warmth will encourage growth but only when combined with excess water. The colouration of your plants is good so it seems that your light levels are ok. Lithops do require a drying out period over winter, when water is withheld. This is when they tran...

Hi edds. That looks like a different plant - markings do change year on year but the markings in your latest photo are considerately darker and more striking. I don't think last years' serial flowerer was lateritia. But anyway, both plants/photos clearly show typical stacking behaviour. In the recen...

Germination is rarely the problem when raising mesembs from seed so whatever works for you. Indeed, it sounds like you did ok with germinating your mesembs and that your losses came later. I would suggest the paper towel method of germination is only really practical for larger seeds than mesembs - ...

Wait at least six months for the capsule to dry out fully and become woody before harvesting it. It may or may not contain viable seed depending on the other parent, assuming there was one. If fertilisation was unsuccessful the fruit will fail to swell and seeds won't be produced. Sow any seeds in s...