Agave scabra I would hazard. 87% sure. :-)

I thought I knew quite a few species, but either forgotten or not heard of Mila. I'm guessing it's a succulent or has it been re-classified by the bleedin' taxonomists? I've always been more into cacti and, surprisingly, Asclepiads. :0)

Do you (or can you) import plants from nurseries in the UK? I used to use Abbey Brook in Derbyshire for many species through the post. Or is this frowned upon vis-a-vis potential pests/diseases? I'm certain there are members on this forum that could identify pretty much any species if you're unsure ...

That looks lovely. What species/genera have you found most suit the climate there? Mind you, I doubt there's many that wouldn't do well. I can imagine Echinopsis and Notocactus (and obviously Echinocereus!) in particular loving it. Do you have E. grandis? Apparently it's a bit sensitive below 10deg....

Hi and thanks macdafydd (not Diane), I've been after crushed granite here but hard to find. I can just see some of the rest of your collection in the background. I am soooo envious! I dream of living in a climate where you can happily grow spec. outdoors most of the year. Do you have any photos of p...

My thinking on this is that if you buy a very established plant, perhaps 7to 20yrs old, unless you are either an inexperienced grower and/or it's a tricksy species, it's usually easy to keep it happy and attractive. It would be impossible to introduce as a rule, but I feel that whatever species, you...

I'd say inermis. Try growing it 'harder' i.e. longer between waterings, full sun, less feed. They become less prone to disease and in my opinion look more attractive. :-)

Fantastic! I've had more blooms on many plants this year in my un-heated glasshouse, and I'm thinking it's due to the very cold winter. Also dozens of tree species have germinated in the garden; holly, horse chestnut particularly. In Brighton, until last year we rarely had temperatures below or even...

Hi, An old friend called John Sample, based at the South West (Melksham) branch of BCSS had a clump of A. malyana that was aprx. 18" in diameter and 10" high, on their own roots. Neeless to say, he used to just pop in to any competition and win hands down. This was nearly twenty years ago ...

What I always think looks lovely is simply shoving plastic flowers into the top of a Cereus sp. My local garden centre does a lovely line in this and the flowers are so much more attractive than the real thing! I've even seen these little paper flowers pinned into the crown of a little Echinocactus ...