lhb2444 Posted August 20, 2011 Hey hey, I need to repot a golden barrel cactus I've bought that has 2 heads and I'm hoping to split them into 2 and am wondering whats the best way to go about doing this? Should i carefully try to slice through the divide between them or gently try to pry them apart? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evil Genius Posted August 20, 2011 Its a hell of a job but somebodys gotta do it. Well i´d do the latter. This way, you might rip some roots off but they´ll regrow if the plant is healthy and its way less intrusive than cutting blindly in the rootstock. The spines would probably fuck up the cut anyway. bye Eg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lhb2444 Posted August 20, 2011 Sounds good, now the question is how do I gently hold this spiny little sucker whilst prying apart? haha, me thinks some thick gloves might be the go! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evil Genius Posted August 20, 2011 (edited) How about some nice barbecuing Equipment? http://www.edelstahl-in-bestform.de/bilder_gross_con/b0211_grillzange.jpg But they are also sold by cactus growers. I have one and i couldnt touch some of my cacti without it. Truly a great investion. Edited August 20, 2011 by Evil Genius Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hellonasty Posted August 20, 2011 Personally I would leave it as a double header and put it in a bigger pot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zelly Posted August 20, 2011 If they are two individual plants with separate root systems I'd repot them, but if its 2 heads on one root system I'd most definitely leave them as they are. As EG suggests, I use large BBQ tongs to handle all my spiny friends. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mutant Posted August 20, 2011 good advice and nice suggestion on the handling tool! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lhb2444 Posted August 21, 2011 Yeah its 2 on the one root system not 2 seperate cacti in the same pot and I've just noticed a 3rd little pup emerging so I think I'll just leave them together and repot them into a larger pot. I've actually got some BBQ tongs like that hanging around in the kitchen so thanks for the advice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moses Posted August 21, 2011 somehow i don't think them tongs would work splitting my golden ball but they are great for cacti i would be stuffed without them, and you can get them in diff sizes too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mutant Posted August 22, 2011 lol, yeah doesnt seem like they would help!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites