No I don't think its rare. When ever I see the word "RARE" in a listing, I keep looking unless of course I know for a fact the item is rare, and I'm looking at the deal of the year. I seldom buy from sellers that list everything as "RARE".

Hi Patris (^_^)
And I don't agree with you Bambi ! I think it is the rarest
because....I never heard of "Dyckia fosterania" before !
You may noticed that it should be named "fosteriana" instead of "fosterania"
except, it was an unregistered cultivar.

In my opinion, from the pic, I think the closest is Dyckia 'Lad Cutak' or its hybrids.
But I also found the seller shows pics below of another kinds too,
some do look like D.fosteriana, but one of them is actually a bigeneric xPuckia 'Sparkle'

I see that this seller has used a copywrite photo taken from FCBS. Its bad enough to use misleading wording in the listing, but to use a photo that is clearly marked with copywrite should be enough to have the listing cancelled.

Thanks for the info Stephania. I emailed her and she told me she got her info from an expert in the field at San Marcos Growers.

Bambi I also do the same as you on that rare business. In todays massive shopping network there are just not that many things that are rare any longer.

The two bids she has on these seeds are from what looks like brand new buyers.
Just hate for them to get the wrong info., but would be rude to tell them I guess.
I could offer them a link to the FCBS site!!

Two keywords that send up immediate red flags; "RARE" + "L@@K"

To all spiney lovers, if you are looking for Dyckia fosteriana
you should focus on something like these.

{{gwi:517190}}

Or at least, some variation of seedlings like these.
{{gwi:517192}}

Not a vigorous dark maroon plant like this, Dyckia 'Lad Cutak'
{{gwi:517194}}

OK, I'll take one of each and when will you be shipping my dear friend?? LOL

how old are the Dyckia fosteriana seedlings Stephania?Any idea were i could get fresh seeds of fosteriana from?

Hey Patris...you should visit here, a spiney paradise.

{{gwi:517196}}

Marko, those 2 years seed-grown plants came from Tarrington Exotic in AUS,
but this nursery is no longer since May'07.

I use to obtain many kinds of Dyckia seed from a Brazil source,
all of them germinated, except D. fosterania Oop..fosteriana !

Actually, I don't want you to get that e-Bay item reluctantly, Patris.
If it was Dyckia 'Lad Cutak' s seed, or even its hybrid, I think it's worth to try.
I've never seen that kind for sale or trade too, may be I will try.
Such a dark maroon spiney is so fascinating, a handsome one.

Oh don't tempt me Stephania, you know I would love to come visit you and your spinney collection. Pure heaven!

Of course I would have to bring Bob with me and both of us would be wanting the same plants.
The other deal is it's a 29 hour trip and change planes 3 times. I'm not sure I could set still that long.

Might as well plan on going to go see our friend in Brazil while we are out and about for more spinneys.

Hi Stephania,
In that last photo,I'd like you to ID two plants.
#1-directly in the center of the pic. (looks like a large
D.beateae)the one with the large spines.
#2 the large gray plant, top center.
Your collection is excellent.Those Tarrington seeds sure grew up fast with your ideal bromeliad weather.
Sounds like Patris has given serious thought to visiting you,having checked out the air travel and all. Hmmmm,that would be an interesting trip.Hmmmm,ONLY 29 hours? Not so bad.
Bob ;^)

Hi Bob (^_^)

#1 yes, look like D. beateae, as it's a hybrid between D.beateae x D.'Brittle Star'
that came from Bill Baker's collection. I don't have a close up pics yet
but this is my D. beateae which gonna bloom nearly soon.
{{gwi:436465}}

#2 is xPuckia 'Sparkle' No.2 from Tropiflora, I really love this one
I don't know if it's different from 'Sparkle' No.1 or not, but this one forms trunk.

{{gwi:517198}}

Thanks Stephania,
I was'nt sure if that Xpuckia was even a bromeliad in the original pic.I guess the 'trunk'shape thru me off,as it was a smaller photo.I suppose it gets its trunk form from the Puya parent. A nice plant for sure,as all of your plants are.I'm sure you'll get us some photos of the D.beateae when it blooms.I've not seen that happen yet.
And,if you get seeds from it,I'd like to request some.
Thanks,
Bob

Well they put some of this seed on e-bay as a Buy-it-Now item and I purchased a few packets. It was $2.79 for 10+ seeds. There are more available.....BOB don't buy any!