They have stems and segments, not leaves. You start them from cuttings of stems with 2 or 3 segments of the stems. The segments with the points on them are how you tell the hybrids from the buckleyis. Buckleyi's have smooth sides. When you have a second, if you have not already seen this picture of the difference of the segments, take a look at this link:
http://cactus-epiphytes.eu/z_p...
When I first started propagating them, I found it and I have shared it many times. It is elementary but helpful for a quick reference. It also says when they bloom. Seldom do you have any S.russelliana (true)
anymore but I like the little picture of the difference. S. Truncata has taken over with its hybrids. The buckleyi has the smooth and is next in what people are buying. I have found many of the cactus for sale are not what they really are. It is very confusing. I have a friend who works at the Botanical Gardens in Atlanta and is a collector of all the different species (some he has are very rare) and I send him pictures to be sure. He also sends me some of my unusual ones when he finds a segment broken off he can identify. They are a very interesting plant for a houseplant hobby. Sorry I am rambling. See what happens when you ask me a simple question? I am here if you need me. Our weather is too windy to be outside.
