Let us introduce Keith and Lorraine Thomas, California, USA, who like cultivars, crested and monstrose forms and propagate and spread them actively. For the beginning Lorraine sent me about 70 photos of their wonderful plants. Unfortunately there are few photos with the general view of her cacti nursery. I hope she will send some more for the next issue. I have never seen so many such forms of plants gathered in one place.

I'm sure you will estimate her collection at its true worth. We can not place all the photos in this issue of the magazine. All the information concerning the prices and terms of delivery of plants and books you can find on her personal site http://home.inreach.com/klcactus. Pay attention at low prices. All the photos by Lorraine are her copyright.

Photo 1.

Photo 2.

Photo 1 - 2. Ariocarpus retusus monstrose, it is listed also as Ariocarpus retusus var. furfuraceus monstrose. These are grafted plants and do grow faster because of being grafted. When they grow to a very large size, they can be cut from the bottom and callused and then rooted on their own. The normal growth of these plants will have triangle shaped leaves with an aerole on the tips or top of the leaf.

Photo 3.

Photo 3. Astrophytum asterias 'Super Kabuto' Grafted plants are good because they form more offsets and the offsets do grow down low on the plant. If it were not grafted the offsets would come out in the soil and be discolored and not pretty. A plant like this can accumulate 20 or more offsets making it a wondrous sight. The base can be covered with rocks to hide it"

Photo 4.

Photo 4. The Cephalocereus senilis crest is grafted. The growth is faster when grafted and the plant body is kept above the soil. They will continue to grow this way with no problem and eventually fill up the space below the graft joint.

Photo 5.

Photo 5. Echinocactus grusonii is very fast growing while grafted. The height of the base is good enough to keep the curls from growing into the soil.

Photo 6.

Photo 7.

Photo 6 - 7. 'Fred' Mammillaria bocasana monstrose is a rubbery odd looking fellow. He does some odd things while growing. He wants to have an area with medium to high light and no direct sun. The plant shown is the same, just thought he might like to have a pair of glasses. It is currently about the size of a basketball is wide.

Photo 8.

Photo 8. Gymnocalycium baldianum crest grows in every direction. This one is on it's own roots and is in a area of the greenhouse that is very bright and hot. If grown in shade, it would be more green.

Photo 9.

Photo 9. On the Gymnocalycium mihanovichii nishiki, I bought these at a local store and cut off the root stock, (the base of the graft) and let them root by themselves. If the Gymnocalycium mihonavitchii has any dark green or blackish coloring in the body, they can then grow on by themselves without needing to be grafted. If it is solid red, pink or yellow they will need to be grafted to live.

Photo 10.

Photo 10. The Notocactus horstii variegate is one of my plants that I have had for about 10 years. It is a very pretty plant and flowers just as well as the others of it's species.

Photo 11.

Photo 11. The Mammillaria rhodantha is one of about 8 that I had originally. This one did show a lot more light coloring on one side and almost total dark normal coloring on the opposite side.

Photo 12.

Photo 12. The Ferocactus variegate is a favorite of mine. No, all the variegates and crests and monstrose are my favorites. I think I like them because of their uniqueness. No two are alike.

Photo 12a.

Photo 12a. The little Ferocacatus with the coarse curved spines has a struggle growing right. It doesn't grow well if in too much light and doesn't like it too shady, The white side is hard to keep from dying back. It is still a pretty plant.

Continuation of this material is here.