3 Months Later: Time to repot?

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From0to10in2weeks
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3 Months Later: Time to repot?

Post by From0to10in2weeks »

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.
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jerrytheplater
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Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?

Post by jerrytheplater »

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.
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Jerry Smith
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Download
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Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?

Post by Download »

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.
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greenknight
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Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?

Post by greenknight »

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.
Spence :mrgreen:
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From0to10in2weeks
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Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?

Post by From0to10in2weeks »

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.
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.
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From0to10in2weeks
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Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?

Post by From0to10in2weeks »

Download wrote: Sat May 15, 2021 2:36 pm 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.
Thanks for sharing your experience. The spines are soft. So, I am not too worried. Yet.
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From0to10in2weeks
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Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?

Post by From0to10in2weeks »

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.
Thanks Spence. Very helpful as always. Best.
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7george
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Re: 3 Months Later: Time to repot?

Post by 7george »

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.
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