Cactus are generally easy to care for and often can grow for many years in great health without requiring more than the occasional watering. However, eventually a cactus will outgrow its container and will need to be transplanted. The process of transplanting cactus plants is fairly simple, but it represents an opportunity for this usually hardy plant to be damaged. With a little bit of caution and some planning, you can make sure that transplanting cactus plants goes smoothly and results in a beautiful, thriving plant.
Transplanting Cactus Plants To Larger Containers
When your cactus has become too large for its container, you should put some effort into finding a suitable container into which you can transplant it. If your cactus grows slowly, take some time to make sure that you will be happy with the new container for several years. Transplanting cactus plants makes the plants especially vulnerable, and it is best to transplant them only when necessary rather than repotting them whenever the container no longer suits your decor.
If you are particular about the items in your house matching, be sure that you choose a new container that will complement many design schemes, such as a classic terra cotta pot or a glazed black or white pot.
Faced with the prospect of transplanting cactus every time they outgrow their old containers, you might be tempted to buy new containers that are several sizes larger than the current ones. While in theory this would save you some future effort, transplanting cactus plants to excessively large containers is often not a good idea.
Allowing too much space between the roots of the plant and the edge of the container will cause the cactus to become unstable. If the cactus is tall and slender, it might begin to tip over or tilt to one side if its container is too large. This is especially problematic for slow-growing cactus that might need up to several years to develop a large enough root structures to stabilize themselves in very large containers.
Transplanting Cactus Plants With Leaves Or Spines
Transplanting Cactus Plants is one of the most challenging tasks a cactus owner will need to face because handling the plant creates an opportunity for it to be harmed or for it to harm you. Cactus with leaves should be handled very gently to avoid breaking or bruising any of the leaves. Before beginning to transplant cactus, clear an open area on a table or on the ground where the plant will not brush against other objects while you are moving it.
For transplanting cactus plants with spines, it may also be helpful to wrap the plant in a few layers of newspaper before loosening the soil. This strategy will allow you to grip the plant without exposing your fingers to the sharp spines. And regardless of whether your cactus has spines or not, wearing gloves while transplanting cactus is always a good idea because gloves will protect your hands from any rough or sharp surfaces in the container or in the potting soil.
