Question
cactus
i need help to find out what cacti these are that i have attached
AnswerDea louise,
The plant on the far left is barrel cactus. The one in the middle, not sure. I'll look through some books and find it.
Do you have a close up that one?
Maureen
Dear Louise,
The 2nd cactus is Opuntia subulata a.k.a. Austrocylindropuntia subulata. It is very etiolated, that is, stretched out because it is looking for sun, as is your barrell to some extent. Etiolated plants aren't as strong thus the floppiness. I would consider cutting it back, replanting, and giving it more sun so you have a bushy, happy plant. When a plant stretches out like that, it wil stay stretched out, despoite more sun and usually isn't strong enougth to support healthy, new growth so you best bet is to cut that part off.
If you can put it next to a window or outside and gradually get it used to more sun (or it will burn), it can recover after a haircut. Same with the barrel. It needs some more sun to stop the etiolation. With that plant, you can repot a bit deeper in the soil (new soil) and not water till you see some new growth.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Maureen
