The 17th edition of the Festa del Cactus has seen a significant increase in the number of exhibitors, making it necessary to expand the exhibition area to include new spaces created within a specially erected tensile structure.

These include Malagasy plant specialist Vlk from the Czech Republic, traveler-photographer and documentary filmmaker Strobl from Austria who specializes in cacti from Mexico and the U.S., and Spanish firm Succulovers with many interesting varieties of Echeveria and Aeonium. There were also numerous new Italian exhibitors including Agribernardo Luigi, the firm Quarnero, Gaetano of Italycactus, Casa del Cactus and Nepero. Finally among the new ‘mascots’ we were joined by Gabriele Simone of Maremmacactus.

Last noteworthy news is the explosion of the synthetic plants nursery phenomenon, that is, those who produce cacti…out of cloth with the resence of Ghibly Creations and Manifattura Cactus.