MY CACTI AND SUCCULENTS ARE SHRINKING
stephaniewest15
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
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breathnez
8 years agonomen_nudum
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Cacti/Succulent Mineral Requirements
Comments (9)The Huntington Gardens where I volunteer doesn't seem to add any extra macro nutrients. We use Coarse construction sand at least 20% we use pumice 60% (or perlite) and 20% organic matter which is usually red wood bark. For Jungle plants we may substitute Oak leaf mold instead. We just don't have time to mix each plant differently. (We use 0-10-10 Liquinox called BLOOM. This is used after every watering, and well diluted, it contains no less than 10% Yucca extract) Sand stone or decomposed granite can be used with the corarse sand, depending on the plant. I have Sans. that grow on ancient coral beds. Judgement must always be applied. Garden soil can be substituted, if you don't live an state where nematoides are found. Montana has great soil, and No. and So. Dakota. At home I add crushed oyster shell (egg shells would work) I've added kelp as well. The soil must be fast draing. No peat moss to dry out. and shrink away from the pot, water thoroughly to the root ball and not just down the sides, NO Peat Moss for cactus and succulents expt African Violets, perhaps Hoya, and jungle cactus. Feed and water regularly so the roots don't dry out in the pot, and don't let them stay damp more than a week either or they will rot. Practice coommon sense gardening. Remember there are a lot of beginner here. So I must address their questions as well, and their are really some great experts on this foruj, I especially appreciate all the cactus folks. Thanks all, Now out to water my green house. Norma...See MoreNew succulents
Comments (21)Hi, My plants could be better, but that seems like the usual for me. As for my A. cristatus, it's really etiolated from the winter and it seems like that was its main growing time (not sure though because I can't find anything about dormancy online), so I had to recently give it some support until it grows some more. It's a little better at the top now though. I keep it outside on a windowsill and it receives morning sunlight until around 12-1pm when it gets shade from the roof. I'll bring it inside or put it somewhere shaded if the temperature gets around the upper 90's or higher in the morning. I have it in a mix of 1:1:1 cacti soil, perlite, and chicken grit and water it once a week/when it seems like it needs water. I haven't had success with propagation as the leaves will just slightly shrink and harden. It also has what seems to be two offsets, but they haven't really grown so I'm not sure what's going to happen. Honestly, I'm still not sure if I'm taking care of this one right, but it has become one of my favorites....See MoreThe dry & hard soil succulents sometimes come in
Comments (34)Christina, Those feeder roots (the smaller ones) are just that. If they're not healthy, they should go. While I agree most of the time with xero's advice (he's a much better grower than I am), IME Aloes respond with outstanding growth given a proper root whacking, particularlay when they've been underpotted as yours has been. Besides, it doesn't really want a large pot, at this stage, large enough to accomodate your present root mass. Take off half of those and put into a pot appropriately sized for the future root ball after it's been cut. You'll then, in a year or so, be able to upsize the pot when you repot next, having a plant that has overgrown (but not severely-restricted roots like the plant originally came with) but healthy roots, probably just popping the whole mass into the next size (or two) of pot....See MoreNeed Help Identifying Cacti and Succulent and general advice on both.
Comments (10)Your cactus is Mammillaria spinosissima aka Red Headed Irishman cactus:). Do the same mix as your Pilo:). The other succulent is a Faucaria tigrina. Looks fine slightly etiolated. Just acclimate to more light slowly. I would probably use the same mix as your cactus mix. I have one and he's grown so well. I barely pay attention to it. These are from South Africa so for us they're fall winter growers. I love it because in February when everything is gloom and doom these will pop out beautiful cheery yellow flowers. Here's some Info:) on these guys:). Make sure all your pot have drainage holes. Wouldn't do the double pot thing like in your above pic. Just use a saucer if putting inside:)....See Morek8 (7b, NJ)
8 years agoewwmayo
8 years agostephaniewest15
8 years agoNil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
8 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agomarguerite_gw Zone 9a
8 years agodbarron
8 years agobreathnez
8 years ago
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