Back Again

Hello everyone, and happy new year to all.
I posted this plant way back in 2013 but a definite ID was difficult then as at that point I hadn't seen the flowers which would have probably confirmed it. I was under the impression that it could be a M. glasii, but on looking at the gallery most of them seem to have hooked central spines or the a different appearance altogether. Now I am thinking it could be M. laui. It grows at quite a rate, I re-potted last year as it was bolging over the sides and is looking as if I will have to re-do it again this year. It has been outside since I bought it, though under cover of a shelter that I bodged up, and has happily re-sisted sub-zero temps and flowers profusely each year. Any help would be appreciated.


Sorry if the second photo is over size but had problem uploading AGAIN! and after mastering the first one I did the second one too quick and forgot to re-size it. Sorry
Photos taken yesterday.

It looks to me like a rather pale flowered M. laui. The pale flowers worry me and make me think that it might not be a pure form. There have been lots of hybrids between M. laui and M. carmenae, and from somewhere I have a white flowered M. laui in my collection as well as a laui x carmenae, and of course the 3 subspecies.

Do you now the source of the plant? any collection numbers or field data?

No Chris I'm afraid I don't have any information at all on it's origins. Nearly all of my plants were from local stores (over 200 now, and still counting) many of which were in tiny pots and not even in the best of condition. If I see one that I like, or one that I have been looking for I get it if I can afford it, in fact I used pay between 50cents to 1euro. My main aim was to gain experience and learn. I now have a nice collection of healthy plants. I have recently acquired a M. plumose from "Cactus-art" which I have been after for quite a while and am looking forward to watching her grow. The only problem with these "fluffy" plants is that I am afraid to plant them in the ground as I am worried about wetting the tops thus causing them to rot. Thank you again Chris.

Susi

I wonder if this plant could be M. glassii nominis-dulcis. The flowers fit very well. One of my old nominis-dulcis clumps has only a very few hooked centrals, whereas two of my others have more hooked centrals.

Wolter ten Hoeve.

woltertenhoeve wrote:

I wonder if this plant could be M. glassii nominis-dulcis. The flowers fit very well. One of my old nominis-dulcis clumps has only a very few hooked centrals, whereas two of my others have more hooked centrals.

Wolter ten Hoeve.

Hello Wolter, and thank you for your reply. I do believe you could be right. I think I'll definitely stick with your suggestion. I like to be as accurate as I possibly can as I keep a separate facebook page that I use for posting my plants and other interests (mainly pets/garden or anything to do with nature) and I often publish my plant posts on other facebook cactus groups.
https://www.facebook.com/Tiggy-267725810010423/?ref=bookmarks Your welcome to visit my page if you so wish.
Thank you again both of you

Susi