hello,
zone 5
several cacti (no idea what kind) but the ones i am concerned about are
flat with extensions that *were* pointing up now down
they are in VERY large pots and my question is whether i should put them
into small pots (i.e. do they do better (cacti generally) underpotted?)
thank you in advance

On Mon, 17 Mar 2003 11:53:14 -0500, Tanya
wrote:

hello,
zone 5
several cacti (no idea what kind) but the ones i am concerned about are
flat with extensions that *were* pointing up now down
they are in VERY large pots and my question is whether i should put them
into small pots (i.e. do they do better (cacti generally) underpotted?)
thank you in advance

You don't need to repot them, just be extra careful. A large pot
takes a longer time to dry out than a small one, and it is usually
water that kills a cactus plant especially without quick drainage.

Cacti generally have very short roots and don't need a whole lot of pot
space.

They make special potting soil for Cacti. I wouldn't use "regular"
potting soil for them.

Some species I just mix potting soil and coarse sand together........It
all depends on what kind it is........

=will=

Phisherman wrote:

On Mon, 17 Mar 2003 11:53:14 -0500, Tanya
wrote:

hello,
zone 5
several cacti (no idea what kind) but the ones i am concerned about are
flat with extensions that *were* pointing up now down
they are in VERY large pots and my question is whether i should put them
into small pots (i.e. do they do better (cacti generally) underpotted?)
thank you in advance

You don't need to repot them, just be extra careful. A large pot
takes a longer time to dry out than a small one, and it is usually
water that kills a cactus plant especially without quick drainage.

hi and thank you for the reply!
i think i need to repot them anyway due to the mix (it *is* cactus mix
however i would add sand b/c it does NOT drain well)
just wondered since they occupy ~ 1/6th of the pot whether i should put them
in smaller pots
thanks again
sincerely
Tanya

will wrote:

Cacti generally have very short roots and don't need a whole lot of pot
space.

They make special potting soil for Cacti. I wouldn't use "regular"
potting soil for them.

Some species I just mix potting soil and coarse sand together........It
all depends on what kind it is........

=will=

hi,
thank you for answering
i did use cactus mix but it seems to have a lot of peat moss (and does not
drain well) i've mixed it with sand for aloe and jade and it drains far
better.
unfortunately i have no idea of the kind of cactus; they don't have spines;
they are elongated and have extensions; but now they are not upright but
have to have support...
i water very infrequently but when i see cacti in stores and books they are
always in relatively small pots.
(these incidentally were in a "garden" -- they were "reduced for a quick
sale" and i have had them 1 year)
thanks again!
sincerely
Tanya