Hi , im in the UK and somebody gave this plant to me, I presume its a cactus and when i repotted it , I did it in cactus/succulent compost and have a slow drip succulent food inserted in the compost. Its quite bendy and needs support. What is it called and does it need any particular kind of care? I have it in a sunny position next to a large window.
Re: anyone know what this is called? Try Austrocylindropuntia subulata commonly called Cane Cholla. It grows large--Mine is a 6' in three years. Bill
looks like an optunia subulata, a cactus; never saw one that lanky but I only have the monstrose and crested forms, not the "normal." What is a "slow drip feed"? These plants like to be well watered but then allowed to dry between waterings.
thanks for your reply, the slow drip feed is called a drop by drop plastic feeder you insert it the compost , it contains cactus /succulent food . its made by a company called spotless. Here is the link http://www.spotlessgroup.co.uk/item.php?ref_item=106
I believe constantgardener concern is the "wet" looking humus soil as Cholla catus is a desert plant, requires very little water, and grows in a sandy soil. Sorry, can't tell you the exact species nor if optunia subulata is correct or not -- do you remove the spines?
You can also research the names Austrocylindropuntia subulata (I believe the currently accepted name) or Cylindropuntia subulata. It also looks somewhat like Austrocylindropuntia floccosa to me.
Hi thanks for all the replies. The soil was maybe wet looking because I have just repotted the plant in new cactus soil that id bought from the garden centre. The instructions said i must water the plant before repotting it and then repot it and leave it for a few days before watering lightly again. Im hoping thats going to be ok. It was in a very tiny pot when i got it.
Mine did; not sure how old it was though. Genee, please for the love of root rot let it dry out completely before you water it again! I'd never advise anybody to add water to recently planted cacti.