Thanks for the information. :) Tami -- I did look on eBay and will purchase one there in the spring if I do not find one in the stores around here. Right now I would worry about it freezing in shipping. Sharon -- I do have a Sam's Club close and will look for one there around Easter. I am glad to hear that people have found them in some of the big stores. That increases my chances of finding one. Linda -- Thanks for your generous offer. I do not have a rat tail cactus but I may have other things you might like. I have very few house plants because of space and lighting issues. I do have a goldfish plant and I am currently rooting cuttings from it. I have lots of outside plants like lavender, heuchera, iris, sempervium, bleeding hearts, etc. that will be available in the spring if you are interested in trading then. I will look for one at Home Depot and Lowes too. I was able to talk to the owner of a local nursery today and she was going to see if her distributor can get her one. Thanks again Val

Sorry about the Pachy confusion..Actually, I meant Pachypodium seeds..the species is P. lealii. Warmth and Superthrive hastened germination. I've sown other Pachypodiums before, under lights and heat, yet they never sprouted this fast. Sage, when you say you water with a spritz of water, (soak a paper towel and squeeze) were you talking about seeds/seedlings? or mature succulents? Wannabe..you asked if Opuntia's are hardy, if you can keep outside year round. If Prickly Pear goes dormant, I don't think it's for long. Wannabe, it's best knowing which species you've got there..Seems to me Opuntias prefer cool temps, even as low as 30, but before planting them in the ground, find out which type/s you have, research and/or ask around. Google, purple leaf optunia, see what it says about your Prickly Pear. Where do you live, which state? One thing you can do is, say you get several of the same type. Plant a few in the garden when weather permits, and pot the others. After your pp matures, post pics or research opuntias. Some sites list numerous types/colors. Someone on Ebay had a purple leaf optunia on auction. I don't know if it's stil available, but when I check Ebay I'll see if I can find it..sellers usually list zones plants are hardy. Do you know your zone? There's an online nursery that sells cold-hardy cactus and succulents..Opuntias, Sedum/Hens & Chicks, etc. Hope I saved it to favorites..if I did, I'll post the name/addy. But it's important you know your zone. BTW, keep a journal. You don't have to buy anything expensive, even a notebook will do..Jot down name of plant, date sown, progress/date and height. It's so much easier going back to your notebook for info. I love my journal/s..lol.. I jot everything down. Places and dates plants and seeds are purchased. Size of plants upon arrival. Dates plants are fertilized, Superthrived, etc. Names and dates plants flower or berry. And so much more. It's really important when sowing seeds. Keeping track when you sowed, how long it took to germinate, size measured once a month or whenever you choose..One thing great about keeping a journal is going back to the beginning. Especially several years back. Good luck, Toni

Hiya Helen, I know of a few places... Try mailing Lester Meyers for one of his catalogues: 44 Wamboin St Gilgandra NSW 2827 He has great variety and loads of plants from $1.50, I'm just about to order from him but a friend of mine just received an order and she's very, very happy! The Cactus Garage are also cheap with good variety, very friendly and helpful, and also very prompt to reply to any queries: 3 Edward St Bayswater Victoria 3153 Or email cactus@eisa.net.au for them to email you a catalogue. Or visit Cactusland online at: Cactusland Cheers, Lis :D

Hi Not sure how cold you get in Perth. The Brachychiton acerifolius will handle a fair amount of cold and frost, much more than a Pawpaw will. My Tamarillos have handles below 0C, but no frost and must be protected from strong wind. There are some beautiful Australia East Coast Rainforest trees that handle cold well and look Tropical. Target Warm Temperate ones or high altitude Sub Tropical. Ivory Curl Flower (Buckhinghamia celsissima), Blue Berry Ash (Elaeocarpis reticulatus), Black Bean (Castanospermum australe) and Riberry (Syzygium luehmannii) are excellent. They also attract birds to your garden (on the east coast at least). There are now a large number of species including a good range of lillypillies (Acmena, Syzygium and Waterhousia) in cultivation. If you can get Syzygium cv cascade grab it. It is a 1.8-2m weeping bush with stunning new growth and watermelon pink shaving brush flowers. The new foliage is very tropical and as the leaves mature they go through hot pinks, red white and then to green. If you have a frost free area, try Costus Barbados. It is an excellent tropical looking plant for places that get to a min of -1C and no frost. Looks fantastic with it's big head of deep red bracts and yellow dayflowers through summer. Also Zingibers can grow well down to Â1C or -2C if protected from strong winter wind. My Zingiber specible cv Champagne is currently in flower and has been through a few -2Cs. Protect when young and you will lose foliage for the first winter or so. The deciduous Zingibers are very hardy if grown with a dry winter. There is also all the Kaempferia, which grow well even in cold areas as long as the ground doesnÂt freeze and stays on the dry side during winter, but note snails love them. Hope this is helpful. By the way I enjoyed your web page. Very well done. Regards Rob H.