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dainie_flint

Need help identifying 3 cacti!

7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

My dad and stepmom recently gave me a few cacti. I absolutely love them but I don't know anything about cacti, except that there are many types with different needs. I really want to properly care for them but I can't do that without knowing what they are. Your help is greatly appreciated!(:

This is them pre-repotting:

Comments (4)

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Left-Hard to tell, but looks like a Mammillaria. What species not sure:).

    Middle- Echinocactus grusonii aka Golden Barrel

    Right- Stetsonia coryne aka Toothpick Cactus

    All of these guys need a fast draining mix. Most store bought cactus mixes need to be amended with perlite and or pumice. Since they are small and you only have three perlite and cactus mix will be fine. Pumice can be hard to find in stores if you don't live in California. I have no idea why;).

    A mix of 60% perlite and 40% cactus mix will do. The containers they are in now look like the right size. Make sure they have drainage holes. When repotting get all the old soil off roots. Rinse the perlite off because it can be dusty. You can use an old kitchen strainer. Then just pot up like any other plant;).

    Don't water for a week after repotting. Since winter is near it's time to put these guys to "sleep". So I would give them that one drink and then keep dry till spring. They will be fine:). Most cactus go dormant during the winter and so it's important to keep dry. When spring comes around you can begin to water once a week or every ten days. Just make sure the mix is thoroughly dry before giving another drink.

    When it comes to light in the winter just keep near a bright window. As long as you keep dry you shouldn't get much if any growth. When March comes start acclimating to more light slowly. Eventually they should be in full sun during the warmer months. Goodluck:).

    Dainie Flint thanked Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA
  • 7 years ago

    Good info given above....just one more point....please don’t reuse that straw like stuff on the top of any cactus or succ. It will retain moisture and could lead to rotting and other nasties....fungus gnats for eg. Best to top their pots with a small grade gravel such as aquarium gravel or similar, if you like the look of it, but no mossy, straw like substances again please :-)

    Gill

  • 7 years ago

    That's what they came in, I threw the straw stuff away right after this picture (: thank you for the advice!!

  • 7 years ago

    Excellent!

    Gill

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