Ready to re-pot browning cacti

9 years ago

At least, I think that's what I need to do.

I've had the two little cacti in tiny clay pots for several years. They grew slowly and steadily, but now I see browning at the bottom.

Time to repot, right?

I have regular potting soil, Miracle Gro cactus soil, perlite and chicken grit (found some!).

I know I'm supposed to sift the bark out of the soil mixes, but then, what proportions of stuff?

Also, I have an Easter cactus whose leaves are just getting green again, after bleaching out last year in the summer sun. It only had a couple of blooms this Easter. Might be outgrowing it's pot?

Can I use the same soil mix for it that I use for the little cacti?

Thanks for your continued help!

Lee

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Comments (9)

qsis
Original Author
9 years ago
I still don't know how to upload multiple photos in the same post!

Lee
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
9 years ago
The browning might be from moisture and ground related mold. It is better to put some gravel mulch over your medium.
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plantomaniac08
9 years ago
Edited because I misread the post. Excuse me!

Planto

This post was edited by plantomaniac08 on Sun, May 25, 14 at 15:07
qsis
Original Author
9 years ago
Okay, wantonamara, I will do that.

Do you think I need to re-pot anything?

If so, what recipe for soil mix?

lee
kaktuskris
9 years ago
I thought the browning was natural corking from aging....am I wrong?

Christopher
qsis
Original Author
9 years ago
So, if Christopher is right, do I have to do anything other than put some gravel as a top dressing?

No repotting?

Lee
KittieKAT
9 years ago
Id say add gravel i don't think the roots have outgrown the pot yet
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
9 years ago
I think if they had been grown a little more lushly in the past the corking wouldn't have occurred so quickly, but they look healthy and, IINM, could use a repot into more porous soil. A lot of Mammillarias do naturally cork, as well. Top dressing is of course optional, but it gives me something else to geek out about.

This post was edited by cactusmcharris on Tue, May 27, 14 at 19:11
qsis
Original Author
9 years ago
Well, ALRIGHT! :-)

Thanks, folks!

Lee