Confirm dead parts of my cactus & repotting approach, please?

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lycopersicum
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Joined: Tue Sep 05, 2017 3:14 pm

Confirm dead parts of my cactus & repotting approach, please?

Post by lycopersicum »

Hello!! I just adopted some cacti and I'm trying to save them. I've been researching next steps and I am hoping someone can confirm if I'm on the right track or give me advice.

I was just about to repot my cacti, and noticed that a couple parts might need to be cut away and tossed: https://i.imgur.com/SSe0BrA.jpg
The two front 'paddles'. I just adopted them and it looks like the previous owner did not water them for a quite a bit of time.
Sadly, a week ago there was hope but they've since died. I'm not sure if it's because of the shock of repotting them or if there's a fungal issue. Here is how they looked 1 week ago: https://i.imgur.com/SPYqQ0y.jpg
I feel pretty badly that they're dying and I want to at least try to save the biggest paddle.
I snipped the arms off in hopes of propagating them, as the cactus looked pretty etiolated and they weren't standing up very well on their own. I plan on putting them in dirt, as they're pretty calloused by now: https://i.imgur.com/8YKWpgv.jpg

Here are my pot options from two angles: https://i.imgur.com/wuIq4Kt.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hzXMLIa.jpg

1. Separate the three cacti from my large cream bowl and discard the dying paddles (unless someone thinks they're salvageable!)
2. Move the short fat cactus into the green pot
3. Move the tall trio cacti into the pot from Step 2
4. Put the bunny ear cactus into the pot from Step 3
5. Use tiny terra cotta pot for a couple cuttings and pray they root.

I'd love any feedback!
esp_imaging
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Re: Confirm dead parts of my cactus & repotting approach, please?

Post by esp_imaging »

The current pot sizes look slightly large, so moving down a size for each plant may be a good idea, unless they have very big root systems. The compost looks like it might not be great if you overwater - something with more grit would be better. It may be old and depleted of nutrients in any case, so a compost change may be a good idea.
I don't especially like tiny pots. Maybe place your cuttings together in the same pot, and pot them on as and when they root. They will root quite happily if laid flat, but the new growth will be vertical so they will all have a bend in them. Propping them up vertically will avoid this issue. Opuntia cuttings often root easily if the compost is very slightly moistened.
A small diverse collection of Cacti & Succulents
Based in the UK
http://www.edwardshaw.co.uk/cacti
lycopersicum
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Sep 05, 2017 3:14 pm

Re: Confirm dead parts of my cactus & repotting approach, please?

Post by lycopersicum »

Thanks! Do you think these brown cacti are dead, and should be tossed? https://i.imgur.com/SSe0BrA.jpg
I think only the big paddle behind them are alive
lycopersicum
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Joined: Tue Sep 05, 2017 3:14 pm

Re: Confirm dead parts of my cactus & repotting approach, please?

Post by lycopersicum »

And noted about the compost! I am searching for a grittier mix. Right now, I am using cactus soil mixed with perlite, 1:1, so the drainage hasn't been bad...but I think it could be better!
esp_imaging
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Re: Confirm dead parts of my cactus & repotting approach, please?

Post by esp_imaging »

lycopersicum wrote:Thanks! Do you think these brown cacti are dead, and should be tossed?
Yes. Unless you have the time, space and attittude to pursue what is almost certainbly a lost casue. You already have numerous cuttings of this plant.
If you add a bit of grit too (say roughly 2-6mm grain size) you probably won't go far wrong. Perlite improves drainage, but is quite light for supporting larger plants.
If you don't over water, especially when it is cool, your plants will be fine in the current compost; if you are heavy handed with the watering a more free-draining compost will be more important.
A small diverse collection of Cacti & Succulents
Based in the UK
http://www.edwardshaw.co.uk/cacti
lycopersicum
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Sep 05, 2017 3:14 pm

Re: Confirm dead parts of my cactus & repotting approach, please?

Post by lycopersicum »

thank you VERY MUCH! :)
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