I think the cacti suffocated...totally agree with Gill. Planting any plant so deep is no a good idea.

Cacti are actually good plants to have if you are away a lot, they can survive a long time without water. If you pot them in proper pots, give them proper, well draining mix, and put them in spot with good light, you should have nice cacti growing. But, do not forget the air circulation - it is also important.

I am curious to know why you did it that way? Was it lack of soil? Advice you got somewhere? Any other reason?

Thank you both for getting back to me. I'll be in my studio again on Friday so I'll investigate further then.

I bought these three at the same time I got cacti compost to repot a larger plant. The side of the compost bag said to only fill two thirds of the pot and place in a light spot but not in direct sun light. So that's what I did. I think this photo makes them look further down in the pot than they are - the plants do peep over the rim of the pot.

(Which is probably still to far down, right?)

Do you know why it would suddenly suffocate now? I haven't changed anything in how I care for them. When I last saw it in mid August it looked fine. (to my admittedly inexperienced eye)

Yes, even considering the angle of the shot, they are waaay too low. The soil level should be about 3/4" from the rim of the pot. When they are low like that, the edge of the pot blocks light and air circulation, keeps their environment too humid. If you look at pictures on other threads of people who are experienced with C/S, you can get an idea of how high to pot.

The soil may have been too compacted over the 2 years you have had them. It also looks fairly wet.

As for the collapsed one, it looks pretty bad. If you want to pursue it here, take a picture and post after you remove it. If it were taller you might cut off the bad, let the green harden off, and then pot it. But it looks like it's pretty much dead.

You should be able to save the other two. Good luck. We'd love to see how you repot them if you feel like taking another picture. By the way, I probably don't need to tell you the pots need holes in the bottom.

What an odd instruction to only fill it 2/3 full, totally bizarre, and totally wrong! That said, it looks like it's only 1/3 full, lol! So no more of that peeping over the pot rim...for any plant, not just these!

Gill

greenclaws UKzone8a, Gill, this sentence of yours made me laugh: "I must say I'm surprised they've lasted this long and you only appear to have killed just the one:-) hopefully that will change!"

It almost sounded like you hope brianmites kills more of them. LOL

OK--thanks for the pics. The pots have holes, right? To be honest, the soil doesn't look to be of the fast draining variety, so you will have to be super careful not to overwater and keep them in as much light as possible every day. Also, when you do water, never let them sit in water in those dishes.

To repeat whats already been suggested:

Assuming the pots do have bottom drainage, if not then they are going to be goners

1: Lift them up higher so they are level to the top of the pot.

2: It's good to see rocks on the top but soil still looks a bit damp and rather dark and may hold more moisture than needed to long at this time. I suggest you should consider adding in more drainage material to the soil. IMO 75% perlite and/ or 50 % solid sifted for size gravel to what you already have in one pot would do the job if one pot where to be enough soil/mix for both pots.

Love the pot, nomen. Did you make it?

Manuel, err, yes, I can see what you mean, lol! I think I got a little lost somewhere in what I was trying to convey, well spotted! Hope you and your plants are doing well now :-)

Gill

Thanks the pot is a purchase from a show I attended