I absolutely would.

However, that's because I can at this time. I don't particularly spend $$ on rare plants per se, but ones that draw my eye.

For me, in my neck of the woods, that is absolutely the mature specimen of even the most common of succulents.

I wouldn't say $$ is no object, but I weigh how well I can take care of the particular plant, the hopefully, one time cost of said plant & of course the amount of space to summer as well as winter etc.

It's a hobby that I don't mind spending $$ on because of the ability for these guys to thrive on neglect, barring lack of light and frost.

To this end, I am only limited by the amount of room vs. discretionary funds.

Seems frivolous to some, but when you keep a plant for many years in good shape, that's an accomplishment to be proud of =D

I agree with hookilau.

I haven't spent much yet, purchasing only small ones. I'd love to add a rare specimen to my small collection. It would also be fun to study and learn all there is to know about it. Post some pics! I'm dying to see them.

If I really want something I'll spend $$...that said the most I've spent is probably $40. I've spent $25 several times. generally I'm just cheap and buy small. If I can't grow it up and it dies at least I didn't put out too much $$.

I think my most expensive single plant purchase was a nice sized Aloe plicatilis that was $75. But if you go by price per pound then probably some of the pricey tissue culture imports would take the prize at €20 for a plant the size of the tip of my index finger with no roots. I haven't gone full tilt and bought €250 auction plants yet however. I tend to buy small and wait for it to turn into an expensive specimen.

Assuming I'm willing to spend (sometimes I am), there are only two other things that are deal-breakers: 1) the plant better not be some vulnerable or endangered plant poached by some thief from habitat and 2) I'd better make sure I know what I'm doing so I do not kill it.

Pagan

Now that I don't kill many succulents, I'm more open to buying more expensive ones. Nothing too crazy admittedly - here are my two most valuable at €50 each (plus phyto/import/etc):

Overall, I've been shifting my collection to more unusual varieties. Not necessarily expensive plants like the two above, but certainly many that have been a lot of effort to obtain!

I'm a total cheapo, most I will spend is $20 on any single plant, or pot (usually I try to stay under $10). I once spent $40 (each!!) on two giant lipsticks and nearly killed them both. I still own the lone survivor, and it's doing well now that I know what it wants.

I am relatively new to cacti and succulents though, and if I manage to succeed with the few I've collected, I may find myself stepping outside my comfort zone a little. But only if I was confident in my ability to grow it well, make the expense worth it.

Well if you're relatively new to cacti and succulents and not sure what direction you want to take your collection, I would stay away from the pricier things. Generally the more expensive items are less common for any number of reasons such as: difficult to grow, poor germination rates, slow growth, mature specimen, or a specialty plant kept in tight circles.

I try to buy plants that interest me, and that I have the conditions to grow them fairly well. So far I've kept spending fairly low, as I have to remind myself, this is a living thing, and it can die.

Listening to you guys have gotten me excited. (Enabled, perhaps? Haha!).

The plants that will be up for sale soon (plant show happening mid July) are not mature specimens. I believe they are still young, yet "rare". The vendor has some more "established" (I guess that means more roots/older) plants, but those are pricier.

Right now I'm eyeing the rare specimens (not the mature ones).

To give you an idea of what I mean by "expensive" - I usually buy plants that cost an equivalent of $1 (lol). I do well with these "ordinary" succulents and have been seeing them grow bigger and bloom even! Now, the "rare" guys that I may be able to get my hands on soon start at about $30 each. Yes, it's not $250 but then again you see how different $1 is from $30 haha. To date my most expensive (ratio of plant+root to price) is my tiny lithops which is just a measly $6. They are the "stars of my shelf" just because they are not $1 haha!

Anyway, I just asked permission to share his photos of upcoming plants for sale. I was hoping you guys here can help me choose what to buy! When I get the go-ahead to share, I will post photos. I'm so eager to show you his wares. SO beautiful!!

Ok I just got permission to share! The owner seems super nice and I'm eager to try and buy a plant from him soon.

So many photos I could not decide what to post here.. Help me choose an upcoming purchase? Anything here that is particularly stellar? (And hopefully hardy enough to tolerate my torture, I mean, care)?

There is so much more! All look so very unique to me! ❤️

The most I ever spent was for my Echinopsis hybrid 'Sleeping Beauty'--$100 auction on Ebay and worth every penny to me (nice size and in perfect condition and it flowered the same year I got it). And I was already at the point where I was growing mostly E hybrids so taking care of it wasn't new to me.

Although I still occasionally will lose a plant--this one I watch like a hawk.

On the other hand I still like the cheap ones at the big box stores--bought some today :-) And I cherish some of those very much, too.

I agree with MintyLemonade--if you don't think you can keep it alive--don't waste the life of the plant and the money--I have done that in the past and I feel bad that a nice specimen ended up in the wrong home because I didn't know how or have the time to take care of it properly. And I could have used that money for my retirement......or my bathroom renovation.

But I've got to say--if I ever see a big 'Southern Belle' hybrid for sale--look out.

If you're new, definitely stay away for a few years until all of your plants are easy to care for (aka you've learned how not to kill them).

That being said, once you do learn this art, I personally prefer to have just a few nicer specimens than a whole table full of cheap little things. For the right plant that I've been searching for for 5 years, I would possibly go north of 300. I have a Cyphostemma currorii in mind at the moment. I think my most expensive succulent currently was 150. It's worth much more now that it's grown.

Some looks can only be bought with age, but you have to develop those preferences over time.

I don't.

All my life (since I was 8 or 9- now 64) I have had cacti and succulents. From the total amount over all those years there would be a nice new car I think, but I don't want to spend a lot of money for one plant. For me it is more a challenge to make something nice from one leaf or so and to exchange cuttings with other c&s-lovers. . So: no to all those beautiful new Japanese hybrids etc. And it nicer to have an Ariocarpus from seed than to buy one for €. 30 / 40.

.....but...weak knees sometimes :) - I must confess

Harry

seedplants mostly and 4 Gymnocuttings

Echeveria pullidonis from seed of last year.

Harry, when I'm brave enough to try growing from seed I will come to you for advice!! Your patience and skill is admirable!

I'm torn right now too. Have a source for a pricey Echeveria but not sure my experience, climate, and lifestyle are in line with the price. I'm thinking I'll buy it, and send a leaf or two to some of you more experienced growers so you can propagate and then send me back a clone once I manage to kill the original!

Harry--those babies are beyond cute!

I don't by rare & expensive either (but never say never :) mainly because I don't believe I know enough to keep them alive, and I know I don't have best conditions for overwintering here, in cold Canada.

I rather have more healthy plants at this point even if they are 'common', than paying a lot of $ for something that will likely die in my care. But have to say it is quite tempting when seeing beauties posted by others who collect them.

In the meantime, maybe I just 'save' the extra $ to get a real GH - it would be much easier to keep them in over the winter...

I haven't spent nearly as much on a plant as some of you guys. The most I've spent on one pot was $20 I think, which were two ~4"+ Echeveria subsessilis, so I'd say that's a deal. I don't want to spend a lot on a plant when I'd still consider myself a beginner and accidentally kill it.

I don't really see myself going for rare plants, but rather ones that catch my eye, which right now are Echeverias (and unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, it's hard to find them around me).

Violet

Many (not all) of those in your photo shouldn't be very expensive - or rare - I think? I really don't know for sure, but I have seen some in stores around for 'normal' price. I only have E. obesa, it is still alive after almost 4 year, I don't know about price it was a gift...

Certain plants you just cannot find anywhere. So when I had the chance to purchase my variegated agaves I sure didn't blink. I think the most I have spent is a little over 200 for a single plant.

A lot of it depends on how rare and how nice the plant is... many of the plants you listed above are very common and cheap around here, and even if rare in another county, I would be hard put to spend much on something I know I could have gotten elsewhere for next to nothing... but some plants are rare all over the world, and if an excellent, healthy specimen presented itself, I would be tempted to spend as much as I could afford, particularly if one of those 'once in a lifetime' situations sat in front of me.

It would be hard for me to pass judgment on the matter... BUT I DO NOT LIKE IMPULSE SHOPPING !

I am quite happy with my hen and chicks mixed with native yucca. Perfect for year round patio container garden.

Depending on the price of each VS your budget I'd suggest the following

If 1500 of your money is equal to or close to 10.00 USA you should be arrested as it's a steal. Don't let the word ( or phrase ) It's rare mean you have to pay a-lot to have one. E Obesa is common in cultivation it's only rare in nature because of humans.

In my opinion if you hold it means you like it, holding a plant for more than five seconds tells me you want it. Well in a word you should have took it.

A very worthy and sometimes sought for plant any owner would admire and be proud to display ( I'll hold my pride on your thread though as pride also runs deep, very deep )

IMO Fat plants are a whole different addiction as are Euphorbia add the two together and you are holding a must have ( but already has) for any collector.

Out of pocket here from me $ 15.00 US maybe $20.00. Fatter than that tend to be older and also well kept to get fatter. I would consider higher, if fatter and it looks that good a fatter one would warrant a higher 50.00 US but I would have to pass at 80.00

Like I said if you hold it you want it and a nice one too

Holding rule also applies to the other that I didn't copy from your post and re-post

When I C&S plant spend I carrying enough $$$ to buy more than I may want and pass on the ones that have no appealing/ attraction to me

IMO ( & you can even ask noto ) It's sometimes a good idea to pre pay with a good deposit for a plant that you may want, have the owner set it aside and come back after considering all the other options. You can loose that special something for a very good price if options aren't negotiated quickly but be somewhat respectable and be accountable for such negotiations.

there are also more that I'd suggest My question is how much of your money can I spend where you get to keep the plants ? Yeah I know the pots are small and they tend to grow slowly,hopefully you have some space for them ?

Dear Nomen_nudum, you've given me a lot of food for thought.

One thing I gathered here (from you and Rina) is that E. Obesa is "common" over there. So maybe I should pass on it.

1,500 of my money is $30 U.S. Just so you know. Most of those plants I showed will be on sale starting mid July (owner is saving them all for a cactus and succulent event for the local horticultural society).

Yeah that euphorbia is stunning huh? I am on the fence about it as it costs more.. Maybe $60? Sounds expensive huh? And if I do get it it would be my first euphorbia. I don't know a thing about it so out of respect maybe I should pass on it and let it go to a more devout euphorbia collector (?). I don't know, it's hard to solidify thoughts.. Looking at these cuties make me feel like a kid at a candy store!

The Spiralis (tall spiral cacti) are really catching my eye and I do want one. I don't know the selling price on that so I hope it's not too bad (and I hope they are still there when I get to visit).

Anthony's comment made me chuckle!! Yes! It's definitely wise never to impulse spend! Why am I suddenly considering (more than my usual price) expensive plants just because an opportunity to buy is coming up?! Haha. Food for thought again!

My husband is supportive of my plant hobby. He said the plants are nothing compared to my designer bags so he doesn't care if I make the house a jungle. LOL! Do I have space? Yes I do, actually.. The "issue" for me would simply be the money as I don't like the idea of money down the drain if they die. Ahh maybe I should wait a year before taking the plunge. Perhaps when my plain echinopsis flowers it can be a sign that I'm ready to level up..

I have been known to spend more than $50 for a plant, but that would be for something I had been looking for, and could not find otherwise. Usually these are hard to propagate or hard to grow. If I am not familiar with the species, or I don't think it would do well in my climate, I pass on it.

My favorite way to get rarities is to grow them from seed. Cactus seed is a little tricky to grow, but not that hard once you get the hang of it. Some succulents such as Euphorbia, Aloe, or Stapeliads are easier, as long as the seed is fresh. I get most of my seed from Mesa Gardens. They are located here in the US, but will ship internationally. A packet of seeds normally costs less than a single plant, though you have to wait a few years for the babies to grow up!

I love a lot of the common varieties, too. They are usually inexpensive because they look good and are easy to grow, so nurseries produce lots of them. There's nothing wrong with that!

Like fakechuchi, I won't buy habitat plants. Too many species are endangered because of wild collection to sell to hobbyists. This does not look like an issue at your local nursery, but it is a problem on eBay. Often the habitat plants sell for huge prices, thus encouraging more poaching.

Of the ones you pictured, they are all good looking plants. If one catches your eye, and you have the spare cash, I would say go for it! Prices are always going to vary country to country, so it is hard for those of us not in the Philippines to say what they 'should' sell for. I love Ariocarpus, but they tend to be rot-prone, and probably especially so in the tropics. The others should not be troublesome. Uebelmannia is from Brazil, and might do especially well in your climate.