Cactus/Cactus
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Hi Maureen,
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Thank you for helping me with my cactus/succulent problem. I have another question. Firstly I have enclosed more photos, close ups so you can see the top of the plant. Those two shoots at the top have been there for many years and I thought maybe that they were in need of some fertiliser? Also I used to keep the plant outside until 5 years ago when I moved and placed it inside, I had always wondered if it didn't get enough sun but it seemed to do ok. It wouldn't survive the move to outside again or maybe thats me! I will repot it this week, I must say that alone could seiously help as it has been in that pot for many years. having seen the new photos do you think it is a cactus? Although a little blurred you can see in one of the photos the yellowing. I live in Perth Western Australia
I reallly appreciate your help, kind regards Sarah
Hi again,
If you sent more then one picture I found out that AllExperts only lets one go through. Very annoying.
Anyway, Looking at the the good photo you sent, the two shoots look fine to me, natural variation in color. Most cacti don't like fertilizer, these shoots may look a little better after being repotted,or stay the same. The important thinng is they look healthy.
I really hope you have someone to repot with. The pot has to be 1/3 the size of the plant in height and wider in width than you'd normally plant a cactus for stability. If you can and/or the pot isn't important to you, rather than trying to get the plant out of the pot I'd break or cut the pot away from the plant. Cactus roots don't like to be disturbed but if you find they have wrapped around themselves bec. the pot became too small and the soil was exhausted, than I would loosed those roots. Check the roots out carefully and if you see any dead roots, grayish and shriveled, cut them off. Shake some of the old soil off. Wear either heavy gloves or roll up a news paper that you can wrap around the plant so you can move it without getting stuck. Make sure the drainage hole is big. I put screening over the hole- drains better. Put in well draining cactus soil(I think we talked about it, but if you have pumice cheap and available- I seem to think Australia does - it's ridiculously expensive here - use half perlite - half pumice. Anyway, back to soil - 1/2 to 1/3 up the pot and make an indentation to put the plant in. The soil should be at the same depth as it was before. Press the soil around the rootstock gently. You may have to add more soil after its watered, but wait a week before you do water. You may have to stake it until it become acclimated to the new pot.
I would also consider cutting off one or both of the growths at the top as they don't help the balance of the plant and you could start two more plants, but I must emphasize you don't need to do that. If you like them where they are, keep them there.
It is a cactus as far as I can tell from the spines in the close up I was able to look at. Succulents often have individual spikes (aloe comes to mind, and agave) but cacti have a clustering of spikes. If you look up areole you will probably get a better sense of them.
My recommendations are based on it being summer in your country now. There's a lot of controversy about repotting during dormancy.
Cactus should be repotted every 2 to 3 years at least. That's the most important part of their nutrients.
Let me know how you make out and send a picture if you can. Hope this hasn't been too confusing.
Maureen
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Maureen Thank you very much for your help. I repotted my cactus yesterday and removed both growths from the top which has made it look really quite fabulous now and hopefully happier for the repot! You gave me many sugestions I just would not have thougt of and hopefully now I will have my Cactus for many more years to come. All the best and kind regards Sarah | ||
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Maureen
Expertise
I can answer questions regarding the care and propagation of cactus and succulents and would actually group these together as folks often mistake one for the other and often their care is quite different. I also have a cold hardy cactus and succulent garden that has been quite successful. The subject in regard to classification of type is enormous and I wouldn't be able to answer all questions by any means. It is really IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE A PHOTO if at all possible and LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU ARE FROM, especially in terms of climate.
Experience
I have learned by reading books, by trial and error and by consulting with folks with much more knowledge. I have primarily grown C&S for the last 20 years.
Organizations
Cactus and Succulent Society of Massachusetts.
Education/Credentials
No formal training. See experience.
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