I started some cuttings in 2" terracottas once and let them get quite root bound before I repotted them. I had a hard time getting them out of those pots, since the roots cling to the terracotta. This happens with larger pots as well, but I found it more difficult to deal with in those tiny pot...

I like the color of the green rocks Some people might think that was artificial - but, living in volcano country, I can assure you that all those colors occur naturally in lava rock. If the potting mix retains less water then expected I'd recommend adding some vermiculite to it (~ 20%). This will k...

The reddish stuff on the surface of the media is undoubtedly red algae - perfectly harmless. I've had it grow in some of my seed pots, no problem at all.

Round or square pots? With pots that small, the difference is significant, square ones have quite a bit more volume. If they're round pots, it might be best to go up a pot size now. Harrisias do seem to grow well in small pots, though, you may be surprised how large they'll get in a tiny pot - but I...

I killed a lot of cacti when I was inexperienced, I do much better now.

I do have an idea for making a removable cover for the wagon with a couple pieces of 2x2 and wire hoops covered with clear vinyl. The point being that I wouldn't have to move it under cover during rainy spells.

You're welcome, and thanks for the compliments - I try to make things clear, glad you find it that way. On the subject of grit, I should make it clear that the size makes a big difference. With non-porous grit, the spaces between the pieces are the only place water is retained - finer-grained stuff ...

Hi Jerry. I have two E. tulearensis from seeds. Same batch but while this one grew fine and relatively fast (they were sowed in 2017), the otherone is still very small with two or three leaves only. So yes they expand outwardly but this may not happen to all plants. I agree with you in relation to ...

That looks good for moisture-tolerant cacti like Echinopsis, I wouldn't change it. That Black Gold Succulent and Cactus looks better than a lot of commercial mixes I've seen, I can see why you went a little lighter on the pumice - good call. "Gritty" means containing coarse mineral grains ...

I wouldn't go to straight perlite, though this mix does look a bit heavy - maybe mix it with 50% perlite. I agree, though, very tough plant. I'd cut off the parts that are completely shriveled, they're not going to recover if they didn't plump up when you watered. Then just relax, it's growing, thes...

The thread is called "A Blooming Thread" here's a link: https://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewto ... ing+thread

That mix should be okay for Echinopsis. Unfortunate that they use the same label for different formulations, so it's not clear exactly what's in the bag you bought. Your final mix looks plenty gritty, though. I doubt this is a case of peat not absorbing water - that happens only when it's bone dry, ...

]I think I bought an Astrophytum once, it didn't survive. These days I have a bunch of my cacti in an old kiddie wagon, the metal wagon heats up in the sun to give the plants extra warmth. This works well most of the time, but when the weather gets hot I have to move it to a spot where it gets only ...

Plants in habitat are in the ground, the roots don't get that hot. Pots that are getting hit by the sun can get very hot, especially dark-colored pots, there's a danger of cooking the roots of a potted cactus. You need to take this into consideration as well. Where you have a lot of pots standing cl...

I agree, those are pretty puny roots so light watering at first would be safer. Echinopsis are fairly tolerant of wet soil, so you'd probably get away with deep watering, but I know you don't want to take chances with these. The exact amount of water to give is hard to say. If you've got extra mix a...

I totally understand how you feel, I've been there. Perfectly natural to want to nurture them, it's an impulse that's killed many a cactus. Killed quite a few myself. Here's something Dave posted years ago that might help to ease your mind - Trichocereus cuttings that bloomed two years without being...