CACTUS's

[V. FLINTHEART]

What would you do with this mess? It was guv to us 35 years ago by our next door neighbor. It got watered 2-3 times during the first 33 years. I watered it daily (summer) 2 years ago; occasionally last summer. The big one blooms every year. I didn’t count but there are about 4 medium ones and maybe a dozen little ones. It sits by the front door getting morning sun but is in shade from about 11:00 in summer maybe 9:00 in winter. Temp here is 60-110 summer, 35-70 winter. Don’t know what kind it is - don’t care for that matter. Pot is 12" diameter top end. Seems a shame to just let it be. Can the little heads be broken away?; be put in separate pots?.

 

[oneeye]

Those are beautiful. Get some cactus potting soil mix and do a division on the cactus. Use some thick wet cardboard and use it like a glove to handle the plant. You can gently pull them apart and replant them in their own pots. If they don't separate, use a sharp knife and cut them apart. You need to let the parts callous before planting to prevent roots from roting. After callousing the cactus, plant the cactus the same depth as the mother. Keep us posted.

 

[V. FLINTHEART]

Thank you! I never heard of callousing. I consulted Gardener Google and now now all about it and will follow your advice. Don’t hold your breath though as I’m busier than a one legged man in a rear end kicking contest so it’ll be a while. When placed should they be protected from the winter night sky?; from the full summer afternoon sun?