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Gardening Area => Growing questions and answers => Topic started by: TBM on October 25, 2013, 08:18:19 PM

Title: Trichocereus question
Post by: TBM on October 25, 2013, 08:18:19 PM
I have a 2 year old bridgesii cacti that I received in a trade not too long ago, so far it's put out a few more areoles and it's been looking healthy until about a week ago I began to notice some change in color with a couple of areoles and on the skin. I'm not sure what it is or if it's normal or not :-\
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: TBM on October 25, 2013, 08:19:07 PM
second view
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: Sunshine on October 25, 2013, 08:29:40 PM
Are they turning purple? That's a bit odd. ???
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: New Wisdom on October 25, 2013, 08:31:51 PM
It looks like it's not getting nearly enough light to me.
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: Greentoe on October 25, 2013, 09:25:27 PM
I agree with New Wisdom. The new growths all skinny like that because its not getting enough light.
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: TBM on October 25, 2013, 09:54:57 PM
Are they turning purple?

Purple? I don't know where in the pictures you're referring to (might be from the flash of the camera?) but the areoles I'm referring to are a bit larger and tan colored, with some tan spots on the skin near the areole, especially the one in the first picture 3rd or 4th from the top second from the left.

I've also moved it from my brightest window to under my light so hopefully it's getting enough light now.
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: New Wisdom on October 26, 2013, 07:05:45 AM
Are they turning purple?

Purple? I don't know where in the pictures you're referring to (might be from the flash of the camera?) but the areoles I'm referring to are a bit larger and tan colored, with some tan spots on the skin near the areole, especially the one in the first picture 3rd or 4th from the top second from the left.

I've also moved it from my brightest window to under my light so hopefully it's getting enough light now.

Don't worry about those areoles. They are just a little bigger than the others and they were there before i gave you the plant. But you will want to give it more light or else it will be skinny like a straw or something from now on.
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: happyconcacti on October 28, 2013, 04:14:10 PM
Are you using a fertilizer?

If so, what NPK?

Does it have a calcium source?

Also, what's it potted in? Pure perlite?
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: TBM on October 28, 2013, 04:37:18 PM
I have it in organic cactus and succulent soil mix, what you see on top is just a decorative layer of coarse sand (maybe 1/4" thick), I haven't added any additional fertilizers yet as it's only been in there for a couple months at most since I received it in a trade, what do you recommend for fertilizers?
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: New Wisdom on October 28, 2013, 05:35:58 PM
I have it in organic cactus and succulent soil mix, what you see on top is just a decorative layer of coarse sand (maybe 1/4" thick), I haven't added any additional fertilizers yet as it's only been in there for a couple months at most since I received it in a trade, what do you recommend for fertilizers?

Fertilizing isn't going to do anything. Definitely don't fertilize it if it's in a low light situation. First of all you need more light.
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: TBM on October 28, 2013, 06:55:50 PM
I'm guessing the only way to know it's getting enough light is if the new growth fattens out? I believe it has enough light now under the lights.
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: Sunshine on October 28, 2013, 07:38:23 PM
If its well rooted I would chop the top and BAP it...
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: New Wisdom on October 28, 2013, 08:03:45 PM
You could chop the tip off and let it pup. You don't need to BAP it though as it will naturally pup. BAP is more of a tool for unnatural pupping that it would normally not do. Or you can just let it keep growing out and it will just have a skinny section.
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: TBM on October 28, 2013, 08:33:13 PM
Thanks for the suggestion, I think I'm gonna let it grow for a bit to see what happens... maybe let that skinny tip grow out a bit more and graft it :)
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: happyconcacti on October 28, 2013, 08:45:04 PM
Thanks for the suggestion, I think I'm gonna let it grow for a bit to see what happens... maybe let that skinny tip grow out a bit more and graft it :)

Here's a panchoi in the same situation. I bought it from a nursery that had allowed it to get badly sunburned. A lot of the nurseries keep trichs in direct sun all summer, very unfortunate. I've talked to a few but they havent done anything. Oh well.

Its healed from the burn but as you can see, its very narrow in the top-middle section. It got a lot of light over the past 6 months and fatter growth is coming off the top now. I'm doing exactly what you're planning to do: let it grow out, chop it, then possibly graft or let it do its thing.

Hcc
Title: Re: Trichocereus question
Post by: New Wisdom on October 28, 2013, 09:33:01 PM
@ happyconcafe: One thing you can do is lean the pot about 10 degrees and it will pup from the bottom after a while.

@TBM: Cool man. Let us know how it goes buddy.