Christa's Cactus

Hi, I'm looking to see if anyone has a catalogue from Christa's Cactus. I'm pretty sure that they are no longer in operation, but maybe someone is a hoarder like myself. I'm wanting to find any details about their seed or plant list under the number CC381.

I think the plant is a Mammillaria prolifera, although it could have been named as sanluisensis (which it isn't), and it would be good to know where it came from originally, if that indeed were on their lists.

I also collect catalogs and everything that is connected with cacti for that matter. Christa Roberts stopped her family business sometime in 1997, I think. The reason being that she had a sick close relative and she had to take care of him. I missed her catalogs and her cacti. Her seeds had good germination.

I managed to find catalog number 381 (not her field number which went under CR) in two of her seed lists 1993-1994 seed catalog, page seven is listed as San Luisensis and in brackets is written 'true'. In the 1994-95 seed listing page 8 is listed as M sanluisensis. Note the change in spelling from two word to one word without capital as it should be properly written scientifically from one listing to the next. Otherwise there is noting more to help you. I never bought this plant so I cannot say which one it is. But I believe it is a form of pilispina. From the name one may deduct that it is found in the State of San Luis Potosi or even the city by that name. But again there are so many Saints in Mexican maps that it is not really helpful.

The last letter I received from Christa is dated 23 Dec. 1996 with the following: After 17 years of an ever-escalating work load I finally let the seed business phase out........

Thanks, Amante. I acquired the plant as sanluisensis CR381, as I wanted this form of pilispina. In the end, it turns out to be a very yellow-spined form of M. prolifera, I believe, certainly not pilispina, so the label was wrong. This happens from time to time, and as it came from Italy, it's not worth the trouble and cost of sending it back.