Expert: Chris Saddler - 5/3/2004

Question
I recently bought a fairly large round cactus, with very long, strong spines. I'd like to find out a bit of information about it, but I don't even know what it is called. Is there a site somewhere that I can see pictures and maybe identify my cactus?
Also, I'd like to know about repotting. I understand that cacti have very fragile root systems, but I'd like to move it to a niccer looking pot without doing too much damage. How can I handle such a large cactus with spines, without inficting too much damage on myself or on the plant?

Answer
Hi Steve,

Sounds like one of the barrel cacti.  Since there so many you're going about it the simplest way.

If it's one of the southwestern type of cacti try searches for -desert cacti pictures-, southwestern cacti pictures, Arizona-Sonora botanical garden (that's not the name of the garden but it's close, you'll probably be able to get close with google or yahoo.

Chris