Hi,
Of the 16 pots I sowed in February these Pachycereus pringlei seedlings are by far the overachievers. For reference, it's a 7 x 7 cm pot.
Now, it's getting crowded in this pot and I am wondering if I should repot or continue to wait. What do you think?
If yes, would you transfer to a "normal" cactus substrate or continue with a pure mineral one as for the seeds? Also, if I repot do I bury the seed leafs ("wings") or have the substrate come just underneath them?
Thanks. Best.
3 Months Later: Time to repot?
- From0to10in2weeks
- Posts: 185
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:45 am
- Location: Berlin, Germany
3 Months Later: Time to repot?
- Attachments
-
- 23_Pachycereus pringlei_IMG_5916.jpg (273.03 KiB) Viewed 1621 times
-
- 23_Pachycereus pringlei_IMG_5915.jpg (320.71 KiB) Viewed 1621 times
- jerrytheplater
- Posts: 1153
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:38 pm
- Location: Bloomingdale, NJ (USDA Zone 6b)
- Contact:
Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?
Even though they are really crowded, I'd wait longer to repot. I usually waited a year or so for those I've grown. And when I did, I sowed them with large gaps between seeds to allow a long time in the germination pot. But that is not possible for you now. Something to remember for next time.
I did grow a large container of Frailea castanea plus or minus a few years from 2013 and I kept scattering the seeds in it and allowed them to grow on their own, no matter the spacing. There I just gave them normal conditions for the mature plants. No special care for the seedlings or germination.
I did grow a large container of Frailea castanea plus or minus a few years from 2013 and I kept scattering the seeds in it and allowed them to grow on their own, no matter the spacing. There I just gave them normal conditions for the mature plants. No special care for the seedlings or germination.
Jerry Smith
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?
I didn't have much luck repotting my last batch of seedlings at that size. I wouldn't risk it.
If you are worried about the spines damaging neighbouring seedlings, I'd take a small pair of scissors and cut the culprit spines off.
If you are worried about the spines damaging neighbouring seedlings, I'd take a small pair of scissors and cut the culprit spines off.
- greenknight
- Posts: 4813
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:18 am
- Location: SW Washington State zone 8b
Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?
Unless they're actually out of space to grow in, you don't need to re-pot yet. They seem to like being a bit crowded in the early stages (I disagree with Jerry about spacing the seeds out more, this spacing is fine).
I wouldn't worry about their spines damaging their neighbor - at most you might get some tiny scars that will be invisible when the cacti are larger.
When you do pot them up, use the mix they're going to be in permanently. Plant them at the same depth they grew originally, unless there was a problem with one not being properly rooted down, which can happen occasionally. The seed leaves are going to disappear in time, they don't matter at all.
I wouldn't worry about their spines damaging their neighbor - at most you might get some tiny scars that will be invisible when the cacti are larger.
When you do pot them up, use the mix they're going to be in permanently. Plant them at the same depth they grew originally, unless there was a problem with one not being properly rooted down, which can happen occasionally. The seed leaves are going to disappear in time, they don't matter at all.
Spence
- From0to10in2weeks
- Posts: 185
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:45 am
- Location: Berlin, Germany
Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?
Yes, that was a surprise to me how difficult it was to control spacing when placing the seeds. I have an idea I’ll try with my second attempt later this year.jerrytheplater wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 1:41 pm Even though they are really crowded, I'd wait longer to repot. I usually waited a year or so for those I've grown. And when I did, I sowed them with large gaps between seeds to allow a long time in the germination pot. But that is not possible for you now. Something to remember for next time.
- From0to10in2weeks
- Posts: 185
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:45 am
- Location: Berlin, Germany
Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?
Thanks for sharing your experience. The spines are soft. So, I am not too worried. Yet.
- From0to10in2weeks
- Posts: 185
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:45 am
- Location: Berlin, Germany
Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?
Thanks Spence. Very helpful as always. Best.greenknight wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 6:27 pm When you do pot them up, use the mix they're going to be in permanently. Plant them at the same depth they grew originally, unless there was a problem with one not being properly rooted down, which can happen occasionally. The seed leaves are going to disappear in time, they don't matter at all.
Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?
I also have some seedlings being re-potted once this year (in winter) and now they need another move, started out-crowding each other. Told them to wait for now.
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8