Expert: Maureen - 10/5/2010

Question
I am moving my potted cactus about 3 feet tall.  It is the type with the large flat oval "leaves"  that can be broken off and replanted.  The stickers some are large but most are soft and stick to the skin and is very irritating.  Any way to move & transplant without getting the stickers in your skin?

Answer
Dear Heidi,

I am at somewhat of a disadvantage because I don't understand what cactus you have.  If you have a picture hat would help. 1.)wrap it in a rug and secure.  2.) lift it into a box  by it's base and secure the box.

To transplant it to another pot first get a pal.  Take newspaper and roll it up and wrap it around the plant so you are moving holding onto that rather than the plant itself.  if you can, either cut or break the pot away from the plant rather than trying to lift it out. Once the root ball is free, have your new pot ready and have one person lift and steady with the newspaper wrap and one person lift the rootball #intact) into a new pot and fill the pot with well draining, preferably soilless mix so that it is flush with the base of the plant.  Don't water for at least a week.

I'd love to see a picture of your plant if you can send one.

Hope this helps.

Maureen