I believe I have seen these particular bunches (or at least ones like them), and I would advise against trying to get them all into the same pot together, as packed as they are. I will also be very hard when it comes to watering...

I would separate each into two clumps and repot. They will fill out the new pots eventually.

It's these pots, and yes: I am trying to divide them into 2 groups each.

so you are trying to separate and repot the p.neliis in the above picture into 2 pots?
how are you attempting to repot? i would hold the whole clump if possible over the pot and slide the dirt in around the clump.... not sure if that's a response you're looking for.
Does the clump not stay together while you are repotting? chopsticks or pencils would help you to make holes for the roots

Two things I have done that may help...one is to fill the pot about 3/4 full, then tilt it as far as you can without dumping the mix. Lay the roots strecthed on the tilted surface, bottoms of roots lowest with the plant resting on it's side. While holding both, "right" (level) the pot allowing the soil to almost self-level. Fill the the low side, rap the pot on the table, fill more if needed.

Second method is to fill the pot all the way, make a "bowl" in the soil in the center. Lay the heads on the "rim of the bowl" with the roots trailing down into the bowl. So the heads would be almost planted in a ring. FIll the "bowl" with soil, rap pot on table to level soil.

Hope these make sense,

Thanks guys.

Unfortunately, trying to hold the entire clump (bare roots) is impossible because of the shape of the p's. Chopsticks and pencils don't work because I'm trying to repot into gritty mix.

Because of the gritty mix, making a bowl in the centre of the mix is impossible, and tilting the half or 3/4 filled pot is creating a mess... *sigh*

Oh well, I have the entire weekend ahead of me to try and work it out...

Did you take any photos while attempting? I really didn't understand!

I think the problem would be that these are not a real clump, but basically a pot full of grown up individual seedlings, so they don't hold together. Can one person use two hands to hold a handful of plants in the pot at the proper level, while the second guides the gritty mix in between the fingers of the first via a very narrow tube or funnel?

No photos, that would have been impossible (unless I was an octopus).

Dinie, we tried that, but it resulted in a big row, so that's not the solution either lol

I had no problem doing same with the Faucaria last weekend, but they're not half as plump as the P's.

I used that method. =)

Hmmmm, sounds like we need to invent some kind of biodegradable netting, you could lay the clump out on the netting, it would have large holes for some roots to dangle. Then you could lay the net on the soil and then fell the rest of the pit. WOuld we get rich.....nah.

Pagan, you've come to the rescue again, I could kiss you!!!

I initially had my doubts whether the method as shown in that thread would work, because I was going to repot into a round pot, but it worked, in less than 10 minutes!

Happy bunny here :-) THANK YOU

Conny - If you ever do seedlings, the method is VERY good too. Nice! =)

Thanks from me too, Pagan. I know I will need the method later in spring.

Pictures, Conny, pictures!

Did some more this morning, very therapeutic :-)

That completely keeps the "full pot" look. Great!