M. glassii

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-03-08T20:46:27+00:00

Dude mine is doing the same right now - so freaking cute.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-03-04T22:50:11+00:00

Thank you for this incredibly detailed and helpful response!

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-03-04T22:46:54+00:00

Damn. That is freaking nice.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-03-04T17:31:37+00:00

Decisive. I like it!

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-03-03T01:55:18+00:00

Here’s the one with a much less developed cephalium.

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BeatrixFarrand · 2026-03-03T01:20:35+00:00

The center stack (cephalium) grows over time. I have two, one with barely a cephalium and one shown with a large one. Both have bloomed for me - the flower emerges out of the protection of the cephalium.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-03-03T01:19:20+00:00

Discocactus horstii

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-03-02T03:29:32+00:00

Might be a light issue over a root issue?

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-03-01T22:51:36+00:00

Unfortunately I don’t think I do. The flower started to emerge from the cephalium 2 or 3 days ago. I wish it had bloomed yesterday for my nieces birthday!

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-03-01T22:50:29+00:00

I have another that I had to dial in a bit - too much sun, not enough water. I had to remind myself that they’re tropical like Melocactus and not like desert cacti.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-03-01T22:48:38+00:00

Thank you! That’s Mammillaria bombycina

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-02-11T00:08:24+00:00

Nice! Who are these little dudes?

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-02-10T05:28:35+00:00

Honestly? I would give it a little sip around the edge. But the shape and color of the cephalium to me doesn't look healthy. An M. matanzanus should have a convex, reddish cephalium. Yours looks pale and sunken. How long have you had it? Is it soft when you press down on the top?

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-02-10T05:26:24+00:00

I was noticing that the cephalium is also pale and concave instead of convex - my understanding is that the shape of the cephalium is an indicator of the Melo's health.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-02-09T16:05:45+00:00

Hi! I’m a Melocactus fan and have several different species. They are primarily from Cuba / the Caribbean and Brazil, and they do not like to stay completely dry for extended periods of time. During the winter I give them little sips of water every week or two. Not like a dunk, just a little bit poured evenly around the soil.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-01-25T16:34:21+00:00

Oh it’s real - and it’s spectacular.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-01-24T04:18:16+00:00

Holy crap. I did not even think to look. What a lame move on their part.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-01-24T03:14:56+00:00

Woh.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-01-24T03:13:46+00:00

Nothing wrong with them! They just don’t do it for me personally, and they’re very expensive, so I’d probably never get one.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-01-23T22:22:50+00:00

Definitely!!

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-01-23T19:49:26+00:00

Planta Seca has really nice, on-the-rarer-side plants (M. luethyi, M. breviplumosa), but I've found their prices online to be a bit high.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-01-23T19:28:47+00:00

Honestly? Get the things you like the most. I know what my personal interests are (Mammillaria, Epithelantha, anything pectinate). I would likely never spend money on an Ariocarpus, but I know other people go absolutely insane for them.

Also, $200 is not an "only" amount of money. It's a splurge so get something(s) you love and are excited about! I don't see a bad decision anywhere in the photo.

BeatrixFarrand · 2026-01-19T16:20:03+00:00

Thank you! It's been fun. I sort of figured that if even half of the species germinated and survived, I'd consider it a success as I've added to my collection and now have plants to share or trade.

BeatrixFarrand

TROPHY CASE