Hey. I'm not sure the 'if it's a cactus, it must be pretty good' really works in all cases. I admit I have some prickly pear in my garden because I enjoy the shape of em, but I don't like seeing them in the bush. And yet sometimes I find myself thinking, but what if they were trichocereus amongs the gumtrees.
I've often thought about the native vs. exotic species debate and what belongs where and whether collecting foreign cacti is ecologically insensitive.
Where was I heading with this? Nowhere really.
But to say that, ironically, I have two Astrophytums asterias var. kabuto of flowing age (4cm across in very good condition) and one Astrophytum myriostigma I'm looking to off load. See, I thought, I'll start my ornamental collection here and bought them at a show. I had delusions of setting up some mini-desert and arranging all these delicate cacti together in some artisitc way.
When I got them home, however, I realised I was either too inept or too lazy or, more to the point, I couldn't quite grasp the subtlety of the task.
So if anyone wants them feel free to offer a trade, something that is interesting, hardy and that can go into the ground more or less, succulents included. If not, my eventual anxiety about them dying with will either drive me to action, or just plain crazy.
ATM they are very healthy. I'll a less verbose post into the trade section.
Bye,
Micro