Expert: Maureen - 4/22/2011

Question
I purchased a teenie little cactus with a pretty pink flower
in a tiny tiny pot.......the roots of the cactus are coming out the bottom of the pot.....can I replant into a little bigger pot
or should I just let it alone........

Answer
Dear mary Lou,

By all means repot it.  Cacti like to be crowded so I'd go to the next size pot or what you need so the roots aren' coming out the bottom.  I use a soiless mix that is heavy on Turface or perlite or sand, peat and just a small amt. of Soilite or sterilized potting mix.  Roots don't ike to be disturbed so if you can't get the plant out of the pot either break the pot or carefully go around te edge with a knife.  place it (don't loosen the soil around it) in it's new pot and fill in with the new mix, slightly moistened.  Wait about a week to water and then start slowly.  Just a bit the first couple of times and then drench when dry.  if you can put it outside for the summer, gradually put it in sunlight - too fast and it will burn.

Was it a real flower or a straw flower on the plant?

Be sure not to overwater.  The the most common way we kill our cactus.  Good luck and I hope you get some more plants.

Maureen