Hi, I just got this cactus a few days ago (I couldn’t help it; it was in a too small pot with
Hi, I just got this cactus a few days ago (I couldn’t help it; it was in a too small pot with too much water :( ) and I have no idea what it is! Could you help me with identifying it? It’s cool if you don’t know, but thought I’d give it a try :) also, any advice on caring for it? Thanks!Hi :) I think this is an Echinopsis, maybe Echinopsis huascha (syn. Trichocereus grandiflorus), but I may be wrong, it’s difficult to tell. It’s had a hard life! Etiolated (stretched because of too little light) when it was younger, and also looks like it suffered from a spider mite infestation (although no longer does). In the last few months it’s been grown in better conditions - the top looks much healthier than the rest. It will always be top-heavy though, I’m afraid. As for care requirements, give as much light as possible (although acclimatise it gradually if it’s been previously grown in shade, to prevent sun scorch), and I advise using a much grittier mix than what it’s growing in there. Mix in some grit or pumice into the soil, so it’s about 50/50 soil and grit. Perlite is okay if you can’t find grit or pumice but it’s not as good. Also make sure the container has a drainage hole. Keep dry over winter (until March) so that the plant does not try to grow when light levels are too low, that will ensure it keeps its healthy shape and doesn’t go back to being etiolated. Hope that helps! Also apologies if I’ve got the ID wrong. Even if I have, the advice I gave is generic desert cactus advice, so all still applicable. :) -- source link
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