Pterocactus - Jewels of the Cono Sur [download]

[ralphrmartin]

Thanks Norbert and Elizabeth for all the work that has gone into this, and thanks Phil for bringing it to our attention.

[Tony R]

Superb! On behalf of all friends of the TSG (Tephrocactus Study Group) and all lovers of small opuntias, thank you so much, Elisabeth and Norbert. Let's hope we can all meet again in person in a future year.

Best wishes,

[Chris in Leeds]

Norbert has hinted he may get it printed for ELK if there is enough interest only problem is I won't be going to ELK

[nobby]

Thank you very much for your kind comments.

We very much hope that face-to-face meetings will be possible again soon - Coddington is probably too early this year.

We have been thinking for a long time whether to offer the book as a printed work or as a pdf for download. It is difficult to estimate how many people would be interested. It's easier to offer it as a download - especially as you can easily publish it in different languages. Since digital printing is now also possible in smaller editions, if there is interest, one can have the desired number printed very precisely and then distribute it at a meeting. For us it was more important to do a little publicity for the genus - it deserves it! - to share our latest findings and to give a little hope to many friends in these difficult times - we are sure: better times are coming!
Kind regards
Elisabeth & Norbert

[KarlR]

To put this up as a free download - what a generous thing to do! I just downloaded the PDF and really look forward to reading it over the next few days.

I've had variable success with my Pteros, but I currently have decent sized seedlings of many of the species and I think this PDF will really be a valuable asset for me in trying to grow them properly.

Thank you very much, Elisabeth and Norbert!

[Cidermanrolls]

Thank you both.
Now I just need to find a way to print this that will do justice to your super photos!
Having bought plants from Poland for several years ( I don’t know where to get them in UK), I tried seeds from ADLPS for the first time this year and was worried when they all looked the same. Your comment that that is how seedlings are is a great reassurance!
I hope I can still import when your next seedlist is issued. I find these a fascinating genus to grow.

[Cidermanrolls]

A question for the experts:
I’ve always grown my Pterocacti in relatively shallow pots, but chosen a wider pot to give root room. I’ve never had an issue with plants pushing themselves up and out of the soil. This wider pot means the stems sprawl largely within the confines of the pot, something I find more appealing than the alternative.
How much difference does depth make? Would my plants be much happier in deeper but narrower pots?

[nobby]

They would certainly be happier - especially if the potted walls are not exposed to direct sunlight. Pterocacti love light but appreciate a cool position for their roots. We have in the past lost plants because the roots got too hot.
Nobby