** EASTER OR CHRISTMAS CACTI **
* BOUGHT IN GARDEN-CENTERS *
* HOW TO BENEFIT FROM THEM *
* AND TO KEEP THEM DURABLY *
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As I wrote above, the plant consists of three independent stems planted too close together.
It is always in this sterile peat which must be replaced by a more nutritive substrate.
As I knew that I was going to repot the plant soon, I let the compost dry for several days by stopping the waterings. Indeed repottings of cacti are done using dry composts.
But these peats employed by the Danish industrial growers of Sclumbergera (and Rhipsalidopsis) become hard as rock when they are completely dry. Thus, it is necessary to intervene a little before complete desiccation of the peat otherwise I will not be able to disaggregate the soil ball without too much damage for the roots of the plant which should be kept intact as much as possible. However the rooting was so well made that the roots are intertwined and occupy the totality of the pot.
Thus, an operation of patience starts: the crumbling of the soil ball to separate the three stems which occupy the soil ball.
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