CACTUS QUEST! Inside the greenhouse housing the UK's biggest collection of ariocarpus & aztekium

[@CactusQuest]

Holy shit dude. Insane. Those Strombocactus are next level. Sick video brotha.

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Thanks man - you inspired me to get out there and see people's collections! 🤝

[@CactusQuest]

That’s awesome. Glad to hear it. Video is great keep it up bro.

[@sammurphy6212]

This has to be one of the most amazing collections of ariocarpus and aztekium I have ever seen.

[@manuelsza7064]

Great collection. Some impressive geohintonia. I would have loved to see some more of those great old looking turbinis. Great video. Such a gift.

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Thank you 😊👍

[@greatnorthernexotic]

UPDATE: As of February 2024, David has now ceased selling his seed-grown cacti after many decades. 😭

[@arvinrichman3925]

woaah...Those very old aztekium, strombocactus and ariocarpus...its like forever to grown those species and all are seed grown!!

[@greatnorthernexotic]

A lifetime's work!

[@mcactus6210]

Goergeus plants!

[@flowerandcactus]

Wow, amazing collection.

[@cameronburnett8191]

My gosh. Aztekium that size from seed. Can’t imagine.

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Crazy to see the results for over half a century of dedicated growing in person!

[@desertplantsofavalon]

WOW is this David Quail's collection ? I have bought quite a few cacti including most of my Ariocarpus from David Quail many many years ago, over 25 years ago now and they are still going strong for me today, David has an incredible collection and I absolutely LOVE your channel, your videos are AWESOME, thanks so much for sharing David's stunning collection tour with us, and your new Aztekium is BEAUTIFUL, sending you lots of love and happiness and PLANT POWER for a super Sunday today XXXX

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Thanks for the kind words! Yes this is David's collection, it was an honour to see it in person. He told me he was considering selling up in the near future so I'm so glad to see it and capture it on video.

[@DFJA01]

Wow, what an amazing collection, and thanks for the video. I started collection cacti and growing some from seed 18 months ago, but I don't yet have any of these species. I don't suppose I'll live long enough to see any this old!

[@greatnorthernexotic]

My experiments with growing cacti from seed have so far been less than successful! I've been lucky to pick up a few older plants from collections being sold off after older growers pass away. I think this is the best strategy for enjoying older plants - I see myself as the current custodian and I in turn will pass them on when the time comes. 😄

[@kinwanmarwat]

congrats on the new purchase 😍

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Thank you!! 😊

[@zhaezz84]

Wow what an amazing piece of lifework, i love it!

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Absolutely! David is an total legend.

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Amazing collection. I know nothing about cacti but the range is incredible

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Yeah these are definitely marmite plants but the dedication and longevity the grower is incredible whatever your tastes and interests 😄

[@scotty2hotty8311]

Not my thing but wow what a collection 😯🌵😎

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Yeah they're definitely not for everyone, an acquired taste, but 60 years of dedication and countless plants spread across the world directly from one man. Incredible.

[@scotty2hotty8311]

@@greatnorthernexotic yep inspirational

[@Margaret-hr3si]

Just going ask the same question .looking for hardy ones

[@greatnorthernexotic]

He's at aristocacti.co.uk though nothing on there is hardy in the UK. He said his greenhouse gets down to -2⁰C in winter but everything is dry and frost free.

[@thevendingmachine2740]

I’d guess 50 years for the aztekium. How much was it?

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Yeah no doubt - these things are so slow growing by all accounts. It cost me £30!

[@thomasglencross7035]

Hi what's the name of David's website where he sells?

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Aristocacti.co.uk

[@thomasglencross7035]

@@greatnorthernexotic thankyou, great videos btw!

[@greatnorthernexotic]

​@@thomasglencross7035thanks mate, I appreciate that! 😊

[@grannyplants1764]

Just amazing to see, I hope at least some of the collection can go to a botanical garden in the UK 🌵🤗

[@cameronburnett8191]

Is he battling fungus? See a lot of plants looking sick- I know the uk is a humid place

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Not specifically fungus but he did say that he'd had problems with nitrogen deficiency which has resulted in the brown marks on all his aztekiums. Fungus isn't a massive problem here with the right airflow and temperatures in greenhouses. Biggest pest for growers seems to be red spider mite.