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Dec 26, 2014 4:30 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Kate
Holmes Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Not all those who wander are lost.
Bromeliad Cactus and Succulents Region: Florida Foliage Fan Orchids Organic Gardener
Plant and/or Seed Trader Tropicals Xeriscape
Howdy folks, I bought a rather large Golden barrel off Craigslist yesterday. The question is, are these the type that do better in a pot that restricts their roots a bit or should I just plant it in the ground? Anyone know any specific nuances about this cactus that I should know?
"A garden isn't meant to be useful. It's for joy." - Rumer Godden
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Dec 26, 2014 6:07 AM CST

Plumerias Photo Contest Winner: 2015 Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Forum moderator
Region: Florida Cat Lover Garden Sages Cactus and Succulents Tropicals Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
I have several. I did not find that they were happier in a pot than in the ground. Mine are now all in the ground. One thing to remember is to plant it on a little elevation, they are not that fond of our wet Florida summers and do better when their roots can stay relatively dry. Please post a picture! Here is mine when it was still in a pot.
Thumb of 2014-12-26/Dutchlady1/a3f04c
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Dec 26, 2014 8:22 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Kate
Holmes Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Not all those who wander are lost.
Bromeliad Cactus and Succulents Region: Florida Foliage Fan Orchids Organic Gardener
Plant and/or Seed Trader Tropicals Xeriscape
Holy moly, it looks exactly like that...pot and everything! It's dark out now, but I'll get a pic out tomorrow if I remember. Big Grin Thanks for the tip Hetty...I have a front yard area that slopes down to the street that drains really well.

Another question--this cactus has yellowing that is creeping up from the bottom of the plant. Could it be corking, or some devastating disease and that's why I got such a good deal? ;) It's not around the spines, it's in the crevices between each ridge.
"A garden isn't meant to be useful. It's for joy." - Rumer Godden
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Jan 8, 2015 12:51 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
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It maybe corking. Maybe it got planted too deep in previous container. Try to apply some cinnamon and keep the plant very dry. If you can poke or feel the crevice, see if it is too soft or hardening up. Hopefully it is hardening up so it is starting to heal. If it is continuing to go soft, and mushy, not good. But usually as long as you allow the plant to go warm and dry, it will callus and heal itself.
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Jan 9, 2015 5:34 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Kate
Holmes Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Not all those who wander are lost.
Bromeliad Cactus and Succulents Region: Florida Foliage Fan Orchids Organic Gardener
Plant and/or Seed Trader Tropicals Xeriscape
Ugh, update.....

I've been in VA for the past week, but before I left, I poked my finger into the bottom of the cactus's pot and felt a soggy plastic bag. So I started pulling it out, it was like those clown hankercheifs...just kept coming and coming...I ended up wrapping the guy in blankets and smashing the clay pot. Inside was 3/4 of muck and 1/4 of cactus roots. People just don't understand cacti at all. How the barrel cactus lived this long in her care, I have no idea. I have it sitting in a pot drying out with just coconut coir after I sprayed it down with sulphur. I hope it doesn't rot. Sigh.
"A garden isn't meant to be useful. It's for joy." - Rumer Godden
Avatar for Dutchlady1
Jan 9, 2015 6:07 AM CST

Plumerias Photo Contest Winner: 2015 Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Forum moderator
Region: Florida Cat Lover Garden Sages Cactus and Succulents Tropicals Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
There was another one that I rescued that was growing by the side of someone's house where the sprinkler hit it every time it came on.... It lived for a couple of years in my yard but it finally died.
Someone suggested that if you suspect rot in the root area that you can cut off the affected part and that the top of the plant will root again after callousing. That could be a last solution for you depending on how bad the root system looks. Good luck!
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Jan 9, 2015 10:15 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
Pull out the cacti, let it air dry, no media. Has to heal and cork or if it is just too squishy soft, you can try as Hetty mentioned, cut off the rotten part, allow to air dry and scab.

I notice there is more chance of recovery if the squishiness starts from the bottom..rather than from the top, so there is a fighting chance for its recovery.

Good Luck!
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Jan 9, 2015 2:18 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
These are not golden barrel cacti..but similar globular shape:

Thumb of 2015-01-09/tarev/5bc7b3 Thumb of 2015-01-09/tarev/c1f6c5

They are not at their best right now and through the years have started to cork from below. We had some wet winters some years before so even if they were in my shallowest bowl and cacti media, it still was too much for them. I just let the cacti dry out. I did a repot and put much more pumice. When the warmer temps of Spring returns it recovers. I have mine outdoors year round, so it will take all the highs and lows, wet and dry of the seasons. Cacti slow down in growth during the cold months anyways, so just allow your cacti to dry out and hope that the damage has not gone in too much yet.

So when you repot and/or transplant if inground..take a look at these photos..got them when we visited Getty Museum in LA..make it as chunky gritty as you can to keep the base of the cacti very well draining:
Thumb of 2015-01-09/tarev/cc3eee Thumb of 2015-01-09/tarev/12c96d
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Jan 11, 2015 5:29 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Kate
Holmes Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Not all those who wander are lost.
Bromeliad Cactus and Succulents Region: Florida Foliage Fan Orchids Organic Gardener
Plant and/or Seed Trader Tropicals Xeriscape
That is SO HELPFUL! Thank you! Those barrels are so beautiful planted en masse. Too bad they are so expensive!
"A garden isn't meant to be useful. It's for joy." - Rumer Godden
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