The original plant was grown from a seed, then it grew too tall and fell over and broke into three pieces last year, which I dried and replanted. The plants have been inside during the cold season. Animals, like mammals chewing on it? I fear watering those things let alone touching them. Look at those spines! That would be one very delicate animal. I'll try scraping off the afflicted areas and if problems persist I may try to perform a cacti lobotomy below the problem area. Here's to good luck with crossed fingers. Thanks for your help.

I have no financial interest in the Wintle's Garden, but it's open this weekend and those with a passion for tropical plants can follow the links (see Ian's post "it's worth the trip" in this forum). 5 Carlton Court, Birkdale. Ian and Judy call theirs a "giving garden" and they certainly are generous in sharing it, through the AOGS scheme, by way of hosting plant group meetings, and by special invitation esp to people through the GW forum who have been visiting from other parts of Australia or from overseas. The weather should be perfect, the recent (rare) rain will have been a bonus and I think any first-timer will not regret calling in to say hi, and to appreciate this garden and make some new plant-loving friends in the process.

Sorry for the repeat, I didn't think my earlier message posted as I had a little computer glitch. Thankyou for the replies on the other thread.

All you need for the soil is some extra grit or gravel. If your soil drains well then just add an equal quantity of grit. If it doesn't drain well then add twice as much grit. Consider a raised bed if you have a flat garden so that the water can escape from the succulent area. Cacti like wet summers and dry winters. There are plenty that will survive the cold of our winters but almost none that will survive the wet. If you are really set on having a cactus or two, consider Opuntia. There are some which can survive in the open here. Opuntia compressa and O. humifusa are two good ones. If you are prepared to provide protection from most winter rain then there are dozens of cacti that are worth trying, but many are fairly small. Try Cleistocactus strausii, available from any B&Q, somewhere that is relatively warm and dry in winter. Look at "mediterranean" type succulents that like dry summers and wet winters. Yuccas do well, some Agaves can tolerate wet winters. There are many small succulent plants like Crassula, Sedums, Sempervivum, Delosperma, and Carpobrotus. There are plenty of other plants that are not strictly succulent, but will survive in the conditions you want, like Palms, Hesperaloe, Ceanothus, Abutilon, Cistus, or any mediterranean herb like Rosemary. There are also South African bulbs that will thrive in a warm well-drained garden, like Agapanthus, Chasmanthe, even good old Crocosmia.