That is a lovely photo to remember your Mum by. I like the few low ceramic pots here and there, which I try to hunt for in charity shops. The plants are so well presented in the conservatory. Any idea of the name of the plant your Mum is holding, or can anybody make a suggestion what it is?

When I talked with them, Richard and Wendy Edginton http://www.edginton-cacti.com in Norwich said that they raise all their cactus in unheated greenhouses, which has to be good for the heating bills. They have a number of gymnocalycium for sale but not bruchii so I would give them a try - in fact th...

Thanks topsy and georged. Yes topsy it is probably naturally sticky, so how stupid do I feel? I think there are aphid around too, so will need to keep a watch on them. Thanks for your help again.

Yes very nice, but another stupid question probably Chris43, but what is bims?

Both look like rebutia to me as well. They are flowering earlier than mine. The one on the left looks a bit like my R fabrisii which is also orange.

No sign of aphids, George, but I am keeping a close look out. Do you think I would expect to see the aphids flying round or will they be hiding!!??

The leaves of my aeonium euochiae(?) - approx 9 inches high - have been sticky to touch for some time. I thought it was just that plant but now I have noticed some small round sticky blobbs here and there. Does not seem to be the usual mealy bug, which is more wooly, but perhaps it is? The plant has...

The NW Cactus & Succulent Mart was a great event on Saturday - many thanks . Great variety of plants, books and sellers, great panini and tea, lots of cactus chat to be had, and excellent Manchester sunshine. Bought 4 Edgar and Brian Lamb books - some 50 yeras old which I have been engrossed in ...

Thanks :grin: for your warm welcomes & responses Roger and Matthew.I went to the Manchester Cactus Mart Saturday and fortunately Gordon from Oakdene had a 25kg bag of hen grit which was just what I needed. I found out that he has four sizes of grit - chic grit, hen grit, ??? grit and turkey grit...

Very big thanks (tu) for your help everybody. I will probably try Shentons on the Macclesfield Chelford Road which is not too far off, and perhaps the Rochdale place tomorrow after trip to Middleton cactus mall. Thanks Phil. Funnily enough it was not me at the meeting, Liz, but if I was there I cert...