Repotting a large cactus (repeated from my old page)

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Another repeated blog from my old deleted page :-

I have some cacti that I got many years ago as a teenager. Some of them have grown rather large now and can be difficult to handle when repotting. With smalish ones you can wind some newspaper around them, but with large ones this is not possible.

So here is how I do it.

This is a large Echinocereus which is quite pot-bound and should have been repotted some time ago

I select a pot slightly larger than the one it is in now :-

Well I say ‘slightly’ larger but this one is quite a bit bigger lol
It’s the only one I had at the time, but it’s the right size for the cactus.

Then I like to mix the soil myself, although it is possible to buy suitable ready made cactus soil these days. I think it’s because I always mixed my own years ago and I still like to do it.

I use John innes No 3

Multi purpose compost

Coarse grit

In the old days I used to collect gravel from the river bank but I don’t think that’s a wise thing to do now.

The books I have suggest the best soil for cacti consists of 2 parts loam, 1 part leaf mould, 1 part sharp sand, plus a small amount of lime and a little bit of charcoal . This is the mixture I would make in the old days.
These days I put 2 parts John Innes no 3, 1 part compost, and 1 part coarse grit

Put them in a bucket or something :-

And mix well

I find it best to mix the soil in small quantities – just enough for one plant at a time. In that way I think it prevents there being pockets of unmixed ingredients.

Then I put plenty of crocks for drainage.

Cacti like well drained soil.

I also put a layer of gravel with the crocks, but it isn’t essential :-

Now with a big cactus it can get stuck in the pot. I find it best to take it out when the soil is dry.

I put it on the ground and steady it with my (painful arthritic) knee ;o)

Then I prise it out of the pot with a fork :-

After taking out the old drainage crocks and loosening a bit of the roots, I carefully lift it with my hand from underneath the plant, and place it in the new pot :-

Hold it in place with a fork while filling in with the soil mixture

And there it is all nice and snug in its new home :o)

Then I give it a brush to get all the loose soil off

And give it a good watering, making sure it soaks right through.

I finish off by puting a layer of gravel on the top. It helps to keep the base of the cactus dry. You could use coloured pebbles or something similar if you like. There are lots of nice ones you can buy.

There it is on the wall to dry out. I will not water it again until it has completely dried out :-

Sometimes this Echinocereus has bright orange flowers on it. I’ve had it since I was 15 years old. We’ve grown up together :o))

• 24 Feb, 2010
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