I am now compltely restricted (due to physical infirmities) to growing my cacti on windowsills, balconies and patios. I grow all of my plants in 2" (5cm) or 2¾" (7cm) square plastic pots. One of the criteria I use in selecting plants for my present collection is that they freely produce offsets, or have reasonably thin stems that provide easily rooted cuttings, thus facilitating vegetative propagation. Awhile ago I made the somewhat rash statement that I was getting too old and infirm to grow cacti from seed and that meant I would no longer be cultivating one of my all-time favorite species -- Discocactus horstii -- which is one of the real gems of the Cactus family (exemplars from my past cultivation efforts):





Well, I couldn't stand that omission, so here is a tray of seedlings I have raised this year:

I also declared that, as of the start of 2017, I would only grow cacti -- no succulents. But I am weak-willed these days -- how could I possibly resist Euphorbia aeruginosa with its Saguaro-like branching habit, beautiful blue-green (aeruginose) stems and distinctive reddish-brown "spines/sheaths"? Well I couldn't, so I cut up an old plant in May -- took some approx. six inch long single stem cuts and rooted them in 2 3/4" square plastic pots. They have grown exceptionally well this summer and here they are today:

A couple more Discocactus pics:




.......... a mix of Discocactus horstii and (clustering) Discocactus buenekeri seedlings growing in 7cm square plastic pots.

They're all beautiful, James. I'm sorry you're having to cut back on the growing but at least you can still enjoy some of it. I'm also trying to scale back the plant care. It mushrooms out of control so easily.

I hope you keep a few true favorites always. They are perfect specimens!

jamesicus said:I also declared that, as of the start of 2017, I would only grow cacti -- no succulents. But I am weak-willed these days -- how could I possibly resist Euphorbia aeruginosa with its Saguaro-like branching habit, beautiful blue-green (aeruginose) stems and distinctive reddish-brown "spines/sheaths"? Well I couldn't, so I cut up an old plant in May -- took some approx. six inch long single stem cuts and rooted them in 2 3/4" square plastic pots. They have grown exceptionally well this summer and here they are today:

James as long as you can get cactus soil and little pots, you can keep on growing your cacti and succulents. Use every inch of your window sill, balconies and patio and add extra small tables and go to town I plan on gardening until I forget what plants are

They are beautiful!!!