How to know 'when' to repot my CC

10 years ago

Can someone please take a look at my CC and tell me if I need to repot it? I received it in November in full bloom, a few weeks later, all the blooms fell off and I've been watering thoroughly, but only when the soil feels dry. Well now, the soil feels like cement, very hard so I can't even get my finger into it. The leaves look sort of sucked in and they have little brown tips, they're not plump like I think they should be, maybe I'm wrong.

I thought I was supposed to let it completely dry out, so I've been watering about every 2-3 weeks or so. When I water, I bring it to the sink and flush it with tap/room temp water, then let it sit for about 30 minutes to let all the water drain out (it doesn't take that long!). Then, I put it back on it's tray with pebbles in it that I keep a "bit" of water in for humidity (no, the roots aren't sitting in it).

It sits about 4 feet from a south side window and receives bright light all day, the sun just touches it for about an hour before it sets in the afternoon.

I can get some really good gritty mix to repot it (similar ingredient's to Al's mix) but I'm not sure if I should wait until Spring or Summer and just hope it doesn't die from under watering, since it seems the water just runs down the sides of the hard-packed soil it's in now. Also, do they like to be pot bound? Because this plant is definately pot bound.

Any suggestions? Advice?

Thanks.

Sharon

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Comments (6)

Sharon Zone 6b
Original Author
10 years ago
Here's a picture of the roots... after soaking it (in it's pot) in a bowl of water to try and loosen up the soil.
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
10 years ago
Thanksgiving Cactus :-)
Best time to re-pot would be early Summer.
I recommend a bark-based mix, closer to Al's 5-1-1, for these particular jungle cacti. You won't be sorry.

Josh
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Sharon Zone 6b
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you! So, you think the hard packed soil will be okay until early summer?
Dzitmoidonc
10 years ago
They are potted in peat. It holds water for a long time, but when it dries it doesn't want to re-wet. The current soil can work until you repot it, but you have to try to keep it damp, not dry and never sitting in water. After you repot it, the better draining mix will mean you need to keep it damp-ish by watering it thoroughly and letting the water drain. Empty the saucer, or better yet, put it outside for the summer. Some shade, frequent waterings and next fall you won't recognize your plant. Watch for slugs.
Sharon Zone 6b
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks to both of you. Okay, I will keep it damp until early summer and use the recommended mix to repot. I never let it 'sit' in water - I let it drain a good while in my farmer's sink.

I appreciate the info!
teisa
10 years ago
Sharon,

I agree with everyone. And wanted to add even though you haven't repotted, it has grown pretty good! I can tell it is pretty old. It looks lovely!

My MIL had a large one that was beautiful. She had never repotted in a bark mix. Well this fall, hers took a decline and lost 80% of it! So I now have her a new one replanted in bark. I imagine it will be even better than original! And you will also see how well they like to wrap their roots around the bark. It's kinda like how they grow in nature around the ctotches of a tree :)