Eriosyce esmeraldana FK 436

[sechjoh]

Did some re-potting today...

[juster]

Very nice healthy plants Christer, it's good to be able to enjoy some re-potting.

[RAYWOODBRIDGE]

Always interesting potting on South American cacti, you never know what you will find under the surface of the compost.

[rodsmith]

Pretty extensive root systems for small plants. They must be happy with the growing conditions.

[DaveW]

Most, if not all Thelocephala's produce tuberous roots, at least in habitat. Juan Acosta did some experiments growing some in purely mineral composts more akin to habitat and some in peat based composts and found that those in mineral composts produced less top growth in the same time, but more tuberous storage root underground.Those in peat based composts produced far more above ground growth, but much more fibrous and less tuberous root below ground. Probably why peat based composts are so favoured by Continental cactus nurserymen since unless you are selling potatoes its exuberant top growth that sells to the public, not roots!

A Thelocephala unearthed in Chile:-

One of my own Thelocephala nuda seedlings with my thumb for scale:-

In habitat most seem to grow in granite or quartz derived soils from what I saw.

[sechjoh]

Pretty extensive root systems for small plants. They must be happy with the growing conditions.

They are about 5½ years old and I am waiting for the first flower

[sechjoh]

Most, if not all Thelocephala's produce tuberous roots, at least in habitat. Juan Acosta did some experiments growing some in purely mineral composts more akin to habitat and some in peat based composts and found that those in mineral composts produced less top growth in the same time, but more tuberous storage root underground.

I grow all my Eriosyce in almost 100% mineral compost and they grow tight together with others until the pot gives up