Ways to support seedling base?

[modern.shaman]

This seedling has been repotted deeper before however I didn't want to repot too deep due to crested pup. I fear that burying the crested section will result in rot. There is about half inch of pumice between crest and soil line. I have been watering this seedling much more often than I usually do.

I was wondering if there was a way to support the seedlings base long term rather than burying deeper. Would providing a support to keep the seedling growing upright be a good idea; the older the cactus gets the stronger/thicker the base/wood will become? Or would removing the crested section and burying the seedling deeper be better advised? This seedling is more than 2 years old and different grafting stocks show different spine traits. Still quite young for me to judge but it seem to be a hybrid between bridgesii and peruvianus? Grown from generic bridgesii seeds.

Here it is 9 months ago... Now I'm wishing I kept the lower pups to help support the seedling. Less frequent watering and high sunlight seemed to cause longer spines when younger hope those long spines return in the future.

Edited July 18, 2015 by modern.shaman

[zelly]

rocks around the seedling base help support the seedling while it grows bigger roots AND ads solar gain (heat) from the sun to the soil, warming it which aids in root growth.

not restricted to just seedlings, I will use clay bricks to stabilize much larger plants.

[AZS]