UPDATE: AH-HA! I figured it out! I always suspected that ...
UPDATE: AH-HA! I figured it out! I always suspected that rainbow pincushion was the wrong ID. Mr. Peanut is Mammillaria Backebergiana, and this is just what they do. Some people do use supports. Some people let them flop and lean. It is also possible to top-n-prop. Iβm going to add some new photos with examples to a comment below and then take some time to figure out what I want to do next.
Original Post Continues Below
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I have trained a lot of plants, but I have never even thought about let alone attempted training a cactus before. Can cacti even be trained?
I canβt have Mr. Peanut out here looking like Mr. π
Edit: I have found this awesome video that talks about leaning cacti. I actually like the lean on her last two and wish she had just left it as part of the character. But the answer I still havenβt found is whether a cactus will stiffen as it matures so that the supports can be removed like with a woody plant. If I canβt straighten him out I may either let him arc or try a graft.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=0Sm7z-juiSU4l42z&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&source_ve_path=MTY0OTksMjg2NjQsMTY0NTA2&v=lID3q82ddWY&feature=youtu.be
#HappyPlants #CactusClique
Original Post Continues Below
βββββββββββββββββββββββ-
I have trained a lot of plants, but I have never even thought about let alone attempted training a cactus before. Can cacti even be trained?
I canβt have Mr. Peanut out here looking like Mr. π
Edit: I have found this awesome video that talks about leaning cacti. I actually like the lean on her last two and wish she had just left it as part of the character. But the answer I still havenβt found is whether a cactus will stiffen as it matures so that the supports can be removed like with a woody plant. If I canβt straighten him out I may either let him arc or try a graft.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=0Sm7z-juiSU4l42z&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&source_ve_path=MTY0OTksMjg2NjQsMTY0NTA2&v=lID3q82ddWY&feature=youtu.be
#HappyPlants #CactusClique
2ft to light, indirect
6β pot without drainage
Last watered 3 weeks ago
20
Hi! Usually when cacti look like this, it means they aren't getting enough light. They should be able to stand compact and upright on their own. This is a case of etiolation. It'll stay the same from here, since etiolation is irreversible, but with more light you can help it grow better, without training!
@LittleSongbird thank you! I actually just replaced the lights on this shelf. I am hoping this new set will be better.
Maybe if it improves but still looks wonky I will try grafting. That could be cool.
Maybe if it improves but still looks wonky I will try grafting. That could be cool.
@KinderPlants I actually named my anthurium peach just π at first but it caused an issue. I canβt remember what it was at the moment. If I remember Iβll update this comment.
Edit: whatever it was they must have resolved it in one of the updates. I just made a test entry and it was fine. Just a little difficult to sort by name.
Edit: whatever it was they must have resolved it in one of the updates. I just made a test entry and it was fine. Just a little difficult to sort by name.
I agree with what @LittleSongbird has said.
Grafting doesn't work in the long term. The cacti split after a few years.
Grafting doesn't work in the long term. The cacti split after a few years.
@SvelteKingfern I have found another option, which is top cutting. I may try that now that I have good light for new growth.
It's up to you, but I would never deliberately hurt my plants. They can feel pain.
How about this research @LittleSongbird ? We know more about our plants every day.
How about this research @LittleSongbird ? We know more about our plants every day.
@SvelteKingfern I respect that! But I, for one, am all for the chop and prop. Propagating is quite the joy!
@HeraMonstera Yep, beautiful! They do lean, but when I mention the etiolation, I am looking at how the cactus has gotten a bit thin as it grows taller! It is beautiful though and I hope it flowers for you in due time!
@LittleSongbird thanks for the clarification. Back when he was just a little peanut I asked about his shape and never got an answer. Now Iβm afraid if I donβt top him heβs gonna be Mr. Barbell under those new lights.
Athena is green π @LittleSongbird