Cactus falling over regularly

For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation and exhibition of cacti & other succulents.
Forum rules
For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.

Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
User avatar
Kees
Registered Guest
Posts: 181
https://www.behance.net/kuchnie-warszawa
Joined: 19 May 2018
Branch: None
Country: Germany

Cactus falling over regularly

Post by Kees »

This cactus falls over every so often. Today I pushed it upright, supported it with a little stick but soon it fell over again in the other direction. This cactus has been doing this for a couple of years now.
I am hesitant to put it deaper in the soil, worried it might make it prone to rot.
It is a rooted cutting at least 10 years old.

BTW: am I correct calling it M. hahniana?
DSC03175.JPG
DSC03174.JPG
DSC03176.JPG
User avatar
RAYWOODBRIDGE
BCSS Member
Posts: 1134
Joined: 10 Mar 2012
Branch: None
Country: United Kingdom
Role within the BCSS: Member
Location: North West England
Contact:

Re: Cactus falling over regularly

Post by RAYWOODBRIDGE »

When some Mamms get to this age and size they do this a lot, then offset from the top side if left down.
You are right, if you plant it deep it will rot , better to put something for it to lean on may be a stick in the next pot or place two stones alongside the stem.
Ray

BCSS member 50155
DKG member 311605
Echinocereenfreund member 100

Cactus only collection mainly from seed.
Christian
BCSS Member
Posts: 722
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
Branch: BIRMINGHAM & District
Country: UK
Location: Birmingham, UK

Re: Cactus falling over regularly

Post by Christian »

What do people think about cutting the top off and re-rooting it? Might that be another option?
Member of Birmingham Branch
http://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
User avatar
el48tel
BCSS Member
Posts: 5281
Joined: 04 Aug 2018
Branch: LEEDS
Country: UK
Role within the BCSS: Member
Location: Leeds

Re: Cactus falling over regularly

Post by el48tel »

I suppose there are two issues here.
1 Is it the normal course of events in the wild that the plant topples over and sends out offsets to start "new life"?
2 Is it not possible to leave the plant in its existing pot, placing it into a larger pot containing ballast, and disguising or camouflaging this with top dressing?
Endeavouring to grow Aylostera, Echinocereus, Echinopsis, Gymnocalycium, Matucana, Rebutia, and Sulcorebutia. Fallen out of love with Lithops and aggravated by Aeoniums.
Currently being wooed by Haworthia, attempting hybridisation, and enticed by Mesembs.
User avatar
FredG
Registered Guest
Posts: 615
Joined: 18 Jun 2020
Branch: None
Country: United Kingdom

Re: Cactus falling over regularly

Post by FredG »

Send it to rehab :???:
Fred
Quot Homines Tot Sententiae
https://fredg.boards.net/
User avatar
ragamala
BCSS Member
Posts: 999
Joined: 28 Feb 2016
Branch: NORTH FYLDE
Country: UK

Re: Cactus falling over regularly

Post by ragamala »

I am sure there are two major factors in the leaning, Firstly the restriction to roots of the pot. Few of us have the luxury of giving our plants unlimited root-run so they can do what comes naturally. Secondly if anyone has experience of plants leaning away from the sun I'd be surprised (apart in my experience Pereskiopsis). We just don't get enough sun here in UK.
JonNo
BCSS Member
Posts: 436
Joined: 10 Feb 2020
Branch: None
Country: England

Re: Cactus falling over regularly

Post by JonNo »

Looks familiar...
P5090111.JPG
As you can see, mine is planted in a long narrow "pot" and propped up with supports - its not ideal as the supports cut into the plant a bit but I've never been able to work out what else to do... I have considered trying to re-pot it into a standard round pot with a "frame" around it to hold it upright, but I'm not sure that the plant would be able to manage that without collapsing/ compressing under its own weight. I've also considered decapitating it and trying to root the top section, but I've had the plant a long time and haven't got the courage to risk it... I wouldn't want to lose it!

I did do some research (Googling) and read somewhere that in the wild when they reach this size they just topple over and continue to grow. I'm sure the experts on here will be able to say whether or not there's any truth in that.

I've never been sure of the identity of mine either. Some years it bears a ring of small red flowers around the top. I think it might be Mamm. Albilanata but don't know. It does look quite similar to yours...

Hope you find a solution!
User avatar
juster
BCSS Member
Posts: 2116
Joined: 17 Sep 2013
Branch: CROYDON
Country: UK
Role within the BCSS: Branch Show
Location: Surrey

Re: Cactus falling over regularly

Post by juster »

I don’t think there’s an easy answer here, as others have said, some plants do this. I have sometimes beheaded plants like this, usually (but not always) without any problems. In this case I would cut at about 2 inches above the bottom, where the plant is still fairly narrow. Leave in a dry place to callus over for a couple of weeks, then plant in very slightly damp compost, be cautious with watering for a while. It’s only one option, but now is the time of year to try it if you feel brave enough! Good luck.
Croydon Branch member, growing mainly cacti and Echeverias
User avatar
Paul D
BCSS Trustee
Posts: 1144
Joined: 21 May 2009
Branch: GRAMPIAN (N.E.Scotland)
Country: UK
Role within the BCSS: Trustee
Location: Collieston, Aberdeenshire
Contact:

Re: Cactus falling over regularly

Post by Paul D »

Here's a couple of my solutions, though these are Weingartias not Mammillarias. Unfortunately some plants just do this. The first one shows plants propped up with cane supports, and the second one the more drastic solution of cutting it down. The top half is rooting down in another pot, but this shows the bottom half with lots of new sprouting branches.

20210510_122655.jpg
20210510_122655.jpg (559.45 KiB) Viewed 1161 times
20210510_122706.jpg
20210510_122706.jpg (503.27 KiB) Viewed 1161 times
Paul in North-east Scotland (Grampian Branch BCSS)
National Collection Rebutia, Aylostera & Weingartia (inc. Sulcorebutia). Also growing a mixture including Ferocactus, Gymnocalycium, Lobivia, Mammillaria, Lithops, Gasteria, Haworthia.
http://www.rebutia.org.uk
User avatar
Tony R
Moderator
Posts: 4011
Joined: 20 Apr 2009
Branch: BROMLEY
Country: UK
Role within the BCSS: Member
Location: Hartley, LONGFIELD, Kent

Re: Cactus falling over regularly

Post by Tony R »

Some columnar mammillarias (as opposed to 'top heavy' ones) want to grow sideways and downwards in culture naturally, as in habitat where they often choose to grow down cliffs.

Below is one such example, Mamm. spinosissima ssp. pilcayensis. This started out from seed about 15 years ago and soon became a 2-headed seedling. Whilst it grew nearly upright for a few years, in time the two heads fortunately headed in opposite directions. A plant I enjoy, but it does take up a little more room on the bench - it is in a 6 inch pot and it will soon be time to put it into a 'hanging basket'.

mamm pilcayensis.jpg
Tony Roberts
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
Moderator, BCSS Forum
Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
Post Reply