BCSS Macclesfield & East Cheshire Branch

Newsletter December 2005

Thelocactus lausseri (not to be confused with T. sausseri which is the same species as T. contumelious) was first described in 1986. So far it has only been reported from Sierra de las Ovejas, Coahuila, Mexico and like most of the other 12 Thelocactus species grows on limestone soil. It’s a fairly small-growing plant, being described as only from 7-10 cm in height by 5-8.5 cm in diameter.

T. lausseri is available in the nursery trade. I bought my plant (3 inch pot size) at the Warrington Cactus Mart in 2003. Both last year and this year it flowered in late April. Seed was offered in the BCSS 2005 list and can also be had from De Herdt in Belgium. I ordered some seeds from the former and can report that out of the 10 seeds sown, 5 germinated.

Alasdair Glen

I’ve been known to moan about the lack of contributors to our Newsletter. Looking back over this year’s issues I find that there have been nine writers in addition to myself. This is a record high in the history of the Newsletter! Many thanks to all. Do please remember, however, that there are always vacancies for new contributors and items are equally welcome from all of you whether or not you attend branch meetings. We would love to hear about your plants and successes and problems, your travels and anything else you’ve done or seen or heard that might interest the branch members. Best wishes for Christmas and New Year.

The Editor

• Chairman’s Christmas chat - Christine Foye
• California here I come - David Poole
• A Book for Christmas - David Poole
• Another Book for Christmas - Malcolm Lyon
• Forthcoming Attractions