The cactus that started it

Here it is, the cactus that started it – basically because I’d neglected it so long! Having decided to look into proper care a bit more I found myself fancying developing an enthusiasm to grow more. Will the enthusiasm last? Who knows!

It took a bit of digging and asking questions via Facebook groups but I’ve come to the conclusion it’s some Opuntia species, possibly Opuntia monocantha also known as “Joseph’s coat”.

It shouldn’t look anywhere near as straggly as it does in this image, and should be a deeper green.

Both symptoms of “etiolation” apparently. I’ve learnt something already.

If a cactus isn’t getting enough light it tries to grow quickly and in unusual ways in order to find the light. That’s what happened to this guy.

This photo is after repotting in a cactus compost and placing outside to try and give it more light. I am hoping giving it more sunlight will help it strengthen its stems, the wire is there to provide some support while that growth (hopefully) happens.

Apparently these cactus composts aren’t well liked in the cactus growing community (yes, there is such a thing!) so I think at some point I’m going to have to repot again and add some grit/gravel and perlite.

I’ve also cut back on watering a lot… apparently more dangerous to cactus than under watering.

At some point I’ll also give it a trim and try growing those cuttings, see if I can get them growing in a tidier way!