They all look much better and happier!

Look great to me!

How thoughtful of you to give us an update! They certainly look very much better. I imagine the reason why the tallest one is thinner at the bottom than the top may be that it has been better nourished in recent years than when it was very young. Keep a watch on the string you have used to stake it, that it doesn't get too tight and damage the spines. Best of luck with them. And if they are outside all day protect them from the rain - watering once every two weeks is more than enough at this time of year. They need to be dry more than damp! Make sure the ones in the tray are not left with the pots standing in water unless that is how you water them - in which case they need draining again after 10 mins or so.

Yes I will watch the string...hopefully it is only temporary until it can support itself. As for the tray...makes life a bit easier to carry them all outside. The grand plan is this..I have some Malvern granite rocks somewhere in the garden,and I hope to make a "Prairie"on a gravel path and display them there. I can hear my husband groaning already......hey ho. Watch this space as they say. But thanks again for all the usful advice its has been good to talk.