1. Austrocylindropuntia subulata. 2. Despite being a high-altitude species it is a bit sensitive to cold, the leaves can fall off at "fridge temperatures", and they are said not to be frost-hardy (I have not tried myself). 3. Yes, they like sun. 4. Depends so much on heat, humidity etc. As many opuntioids they want more water in summer than most other cacti. If the leaves shrivel it is time to water. 5. Easy (for a cactus). 6. Don't know, probably several decades. 7. No, because it looks like it has been grown from a cutting. 8. Cuttings! 9+10. Yes, they offset, both at the base and higher up. 11+12 (what is the difference between maturity and flowering size?). It is not as much the age as the size. I'm not sure of exactly how big they need to be. They do flower in cultivation, but they don't come as easily as on many other opuntioids. Oh yes. In nature up to 4 meters. With time, yes.

Olivesmom, you do have many choices, but you may be best served by some further study as to what you really prefer. The three photos are very, very different architectural styles, and have quite different interior spaces. For example: --The Williamsburg Colonial: a handsome example of the Colonial Style with upgraded details and materials. Colonials tend to be simple rectangles, 3- or 5-bays wide, with a simple gable roof whose ridgeline parallels the front elevation. Decoration and self-styled carpenter details are minimal. Interiors are seldom deeper than two modest rooms--they were Colonials after all! Growth and expansion typically took place off one or both ends, and/or a perpendicular wing off the rear elevation (sometimes 2-stories); --Second example: This may be called a "cabin" style, but it's really just a builder's approach to a woodsy vernacular from the region. The many gables parallel to the front and the heavy fascias, plus the natural stain colors, characterize this as a house in the tradition of areas where there are lots of woods (and lots of carpenters)! The direction of the roof suggests the house is much deeper than it is wide. --Third example: Again, this is a sort of "hansel and grettel" carpenter's or builder-style house (certainly not Colonial in any fashion) with a most odd "tobacco-shed drying roof", common in southern tobacco growing regions. The partial end gables were used to allow air to enter and circulate in the building's interior to help dry and season the hanging tobacco leaves. Such a roof on a house of this size, and in a western forested setting, is ill-proportioned for this structure and historically a bit ludicrous, IMO. The rest of the exterior has various moutain/western region detailing, ie, porch roofs and supporting columns, etc. I think your search for your "perfect house" might be aided by a good guide book, such as A Field Guide to American Houses, by Virginia and Lee McAlester. It's a well written and illustrated small paperback book that's excellent in describing the various styles of houses. Good luck with your project!

marilyn_sue... my neighbor had a very pretty one that belonged to her MIL. She never used it, then someone suggested to her she should take it to a florist and have an arrangement made for it. She did, pulling the colors from the tureen, and she now puts it on display on her sideboard. It is just beautiful there & such a great idea! Of course it could still get broken, but chances are not as great as actually using it. (ask me how I know that!lol)

Hahahahaha! When my DGD was 3 & DS was "watching" the 4 kids (oldest was 5, twins were about 18 mos.) she had a TP "incident" & the way my DS described it, there was a few inches of overflowed toilet water on the bathroom floor & little Zac "was floating on his back in it." When my brother was about 3, he threw a potato in the toilet. 40+ yrs. later I can still see my Mom trying to get it unstuck from the drain hole with a fork!