Question
The plant I bought is in a tall, slim ceramic pot, with NO drainage holes.  The decorative stones on top of the soil are glued
together.  I watered it, and tipped it upside down to get rid of excess water.  Can I re-pot it in cactus soil in a pot with a drainage hole?  Should I water and pull away the
glued on stones?  It's a beautiful little specimen, and I would like to keep it growing!  Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Marie,

Unfortunately, this inappropriate use of glued on pebbles is being used increasingly by growers and retailers who are interested only in an initial sale and not the long-term prospects of plants. As you have discovered, this glued on surface layer makes it hard to water and even harder to determine just when the soil is dry enough to water.

If you can easily pry off the pebbles without disturbing the roots and soil underneath, that is the best solution. If it does not pry off, then you have no choice but to remove the pebbles and the soil and repot into a pot about same size, using a cactus potting mix. Try not to damage the roots when doing this.

Disturbing the roots of a newly acquired plant is always a risky proposition, so be as careful as you can and be prepared for the plant's not making it.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com