What is up with this?

[WayneByerly]

#1 - This is a Myrtillocactus geometrizans. I have had it since July of 2013.

2013-07-29 1209.jpg (64.58 KiB) Viewed 1974 times

#2 - Not sure when I picked up it's smaller companion.

20171115_163526.jpg (87.05 KiB) Viewed 1974 times

#3 - But as you can see, at about two and one half feet tall, it has decided to grow an "arm" this year. At least that's what I think it is! Having never seen a picture of a Myrtillocactus geometrizans grow arms before today. So I post this to be SURE that an "Arm" is what this is.
QUESTION: Anybody have any opinions?

20171115_163621.jpg (55.54 KiB) Viewed 1974 times

Another question. As you can see by picture #2, it is MUCH bigger at the top than it is at the soil line. So much so that I needed to "stake" it to lend it some support. My question, is this ... should I perhaps bury it another 4" or so in the growth media that Ive planted it in? Or should I just leave it like it is?

[SnowFella]

Once they get to a certain size these things start throwing out new arms like crazy so it's perfectly normal.
Don't think I have any photos of my inground one that photobucket haven't killed but last year I had to take a hacksaw to it as it was just getting too large. A year on and it's now busy working on around 40 new arms again.

Image link might not work but should be visible by clicking on it and viewing on the site.
http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj5 ... r4xddt.jpg

[ElieEstephane]

If you bury it you can risk rot. Best thing to do is to stake it or if you don't like staking add a 4" layer of polished stones or something similar.

[jfabiao]

Another possibility is to cut it just below the height it began growing spines and root the top. The bottom will surely throw some pups you can further cut off and root or just let them be and see how they develop and the top will be a stronger plant.

[WayneByerly]

... add a 4" layer of polished stones or something similar.

I'm going to have to buy a big pot... It was SO small... but, it being one of my favorites, i'll just do what I have to...

.

[WayneByerly]

Another possibility is to cut it just below the height it began growing spines and root the top...

Mmmmm... I don't know whether I like this idea best or the re-pot & adding stones idea... If I re-root the top I'll still have the problem of more weight at the top than at the bottom, although the bottom would be thicker at that point... but if I re-pot and add stones, it will be so heavy... maybe if I did both...

Either way will call for waiting until spring...

[ElieEstephane]

If you are using a peat moss and perlite mix (i can't see clearly from the pics) you can switch to a mineral mix which will be heavier and thus anchor the plant better. A mix i use is 70% 3-4mm grit (anything other than limestone) and 30% compost. Works like a miracle! I add perlite or pumice if i have them available.
So if you decide to repot, remove the old mix completely and soak it in a bucket of water. The peat will eventually sink and the perlite will float and u can reuse it. I'd sterilize it first.
Btw, it's one of my favorites too. I didn't get the long spines yet

[WayneByerly]

... it's one of my favorites too.

I adore the waxy blue/green color that the new growth takes on.

[ElieEstephane]

... it's one of my favorites too.

I adore the waxy blue/green color that the new growth takes on.

It's very annoying when someone leaves a smudge on a perfect layer of coating

[stefan m.]

My looks like armatocereus because of multiple etiolated areas.

[WayneByerly]

My looks like armatocereus because of multiple etiolated areas.

About 3/4 of my cacti/succulents went outside into a primitive 8' x 16' greenhouse that I built, In the summer of 2016, for that very reason.

The small white device in the lower right corner is a thermostat which controls the heater that you can see at the bottom left. The heat comes on at 40 degrees and it's turned it back off at 45. Just so that temperatures in the greenhouse don't follow the below freezing temperatures of outside. It's already dropped below freezing a couple of times this year. I live about 60 miles north of Chattanooga Tennessee in the United States. 35 degrees north latitude.

greenhouse cacti.jpg (122.81 KiB) Viewed 1896 times

[stefan m.]

More north than me. Though our climate is pretty weird(this year weve had 80C" degrees min/max difference -39 winter, +42 summer).
Love your collection. Are those dudlyeas or echeverias or aeoniums behind the mammilarias on the lowest shelf?

[WayneByerly]

Here are a couple of links to google drive folders that show individual photos of my cacti and succulents from both in the greenhouse and from inside, in case anyone is interested. I've no real reason to believe that anyone will, but ... just in case... all of the pictures were taken today, November 16, 2017 ... the cold weather is already having it's effect in lost leaves, etc.

Greenhouse Cacti & Succulents
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ylgpm ... 9nRZNBs6OX

Indoors Cacti & Succulents
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-8voJ ... HH-NSCwO3K