I grew Mitrophyllums from seed from the African Succulent Plant Society donkeys years ago and they never flowered.

I donated the plants to Kew a couple of years ago.

Mike.

Patrick, it was in an exchange of e-mails with him a couple of years ago. I asked for tips as to how to get it to germinate and he described the weather conditions in habitat. Basically the temperature can get up to 115f and the afternoon weather becomes stormy and drenches the ground at which point...

Steve Brack suggest 115f for E horizonthalonius!

Mike.

Absolutely right Phil. I got this idea from Joyce Coccozza re boiling water and it seems to work well.

Mike.

As per the tin (teaspoon to a pint?) but I use boiling water (stand back when you do this) and put the mixture into a washing up bowl and immediately stand the plants in it to soak up. 2 examples of seeds last year were Gymno ferrarii and Mam pennispinosa that I've struggled to germinate for years b...

I have used Cheshunt for years and last years germination was tremendous.

I have always been convinced that it is just the quality of seed.

Mike.

It's in the warm bit of the greenhouse with the Stapeliads and Melos.

Maria J, if I got it through last summer I can get it through the next few weeks! Haven't noticed any buds on perezdelarosea but tepexicensis is ususally the first to flower for me and the buds are showing quite well. Unfortunately I only get a limited amount of winter sun due to nearby trees and th...

Ferocactus macrodiscus is usually the first out of the blocks but seems extra early this year. I noticed bright new spines weekend before last.

Definitely a cactus that I recommend.

I've checked STC Phil but not in their listings at present. I've e-mailed them to ask if they will have in 2008.

Mike.