M senilis spination

https://i.servimg.com/u/f49/12/69/77/96/294_2213.jpg

the above plant was recently given to me by Bill Maddams. He has had it for many years and had never flowered it. He hopes that the light levels up here on the west coast of Scotland will encourage it to flower. I repotted it, has I always do with new plants and noticed that the spines are straight, only in the new heads are there any hooked spines. I always thought that this speices had hooked spines and all the seedlings I have rasied from the various Rog field numbers have hooked spines. Is this normal for a mature plant to change spination form hooks to straight spines. If any of you out there that have a clump can have a look and let me know I would be greatful.

Welcome to everyone!

I am asking for some advice
A couple years ago I have sowed M.senilis and it's growing perfectly till now on root. It's as small ball . Unfortunately it doesn't give flover .I think flowering M.senilis is the most beutiful plant in the world .I'm jelous when i see your flowers of M.senilis . Please give me some advice. I'm dreaming off big flower.
Here is link to the picture http://www.fotosik.pl/pokaz_obrazek/dfe558caf78eaa83.html


keep warm

Hi,
I believe that to flower M. senilis successfully, it does need good light, especially in winter. But also it like to be kept cold. In habitat is often is found covered by snow. Personally I would not let it freeze, but my big plant is placed in the corner of the greenhouse so it get sthe bets light and probably one of the coolest spots.
I have also heard that some clones are easier to flower than others, but I don;t think anyone has done any experiments to support this rumour.
I hope this helps.

I have got the same problem with M. senilis. The polish winters are often very cloudy. What do you think about experiment with artificial light?

I haven't tried that for my plants, but I do grow on my new seedlings under lights during their first winter.
Our winters in the UK are also often cloudy as well, and last winter was very dull. I kept my plant in the lightest corner (I did have bubble insulation up as well), which is also the sunniest (in case of winter sun) and probably the coolest corner as well. I have 6 flowers, 2 per head on 3 heads of my 6 headed plant.
I also have a smaller single headed plant, which is the same size as on eof the heads on my multi-headed plant, and this hasn't flowered either yet.
I don't know if this helps, but this is my experience with the plant.