It just needed the opposite of TLC

[Mike P]

What a difference harsh growing conditions has made to this plant. I bought it because it looked odd and couldnt immediately decide what it was and have now grown it for three years in one of the unheated greenhouses at my allotment. Result is that the new growth is now typical and it reveals itself as Maihueniopsis platyacantha.

Well you can’t have too many versions of such a lovely plant.

[Darren S]

I can see why you were not sure Mike - assuming those long thin shoots at the base were from when you bought it?

[Mike P]

Yes it was all like that. It said Maihueniopsis to me and I was sort of hoping it was one of the more uncommon Chilean ones but happy enough with it as another platyacantha.