Hello!

[stephenprudence]

Hello, I'm from Wirral inbetween Wales and Liverpool. I have an interest in exotic/tropical gardening, and as part of that I have a cactus and succulent bed. It is my first year with the cactus bed, although I have been growing succulents a little longer.

If I had to choose I'd say my favourite succulent is Lampranthus spectabilis in the Aizoic family.

Cacti I grow are variants of Opuntia, Trichocereus and Echinocactus, although I don't know enough to be able to I.D them.

I have a greater variety of succulents including:

Lampranthus spectabilis
Lampranthus aurea
Carpobrotus edulis
Carpobrotus deliciosa
Delosperma cooperii
Portulacas
Aloe bromii
Aloe vera
Aloe striatula
Aloe variegata
Echeveria elegans
Echeveria glauca
Echeveria 'Perle von Nuremburg'
Stepelia
Yucca aloifolia

and many more.

I look forward to posting in here, as I never used to like cacti/succulents, but they've grown on me now and I intend to keep them, winter allowing of course!

[Dennis]

Welcome to the forum, I'm currently working in the Wirral, but only for another 3 weeks (retire). However I may be purchasing a house in that area next year.

[Liz M]

Hi Stephen, Welcome to the Forum. I live in Cheshire and know the Wirral quite well. I'm intrigued to hear of your cactus and succulent bed, is this in a greenhouse or outside?

[Diane]

Hi Stephen, to the forum, I'm sure you will enjoy using it, hope to hear more from you, and perhaps some pics of your plants!

[stephenprudence]

Thanks for the welcome.

Liz, I am growing them outside although since July the weather hasn't been conducive to happy succulents, but they seem ok for now. Here are a few photos taken today of the cactus bed. Wirral has a relatively mild and dry climate (for the region were in), however I will be putting a rain shelter over the bed in winter and perhaps a heater for the coldest nights.

Dennis, which area are you planning to live in if you do? It seems Wirral is driest in the southwest corner of the peninsula (Neston, Heswall), whereas it is mildest (and wettest) in the northeast (Wallasey, New Brighton) Although if you're planning on growing in a greenhouse it won't matter either way.

[stephenprudence]

[AnTTun]

So nicely decorated stephenprudence Welcome.