New table and pot

24 Jul '07 9:11 am

The cactus "Monstrose" had been getting too big for its pot so I potted it up to a much larger one and put it near the rock garden, near the stairs to the corner deck. It has also been blooming its head off for the last few years so I felt it need a reward.

The little metal, gold colored table was my first attempt to find a small table for the sitting area near the fence in the second photo. So I repurposed it to hold some cactus and other succulent plants near the Monstrose. I found this table at a discount center. I'm still looking for a cast iron base/ marble topped little bistro table for this sitting area.

So I took a bunch of photos of them and here they are.

25 Jul '07 7:42 am

Hi Mark,

I like your new table and the new and larger pot for the Monstros (I think I spelled that correctly). I am very impressed with your bravery in attempting to re-pot that huge beautiful cactus. I would be terrified that I might break it in the process. It looks none the worse for the experience. It might take a pause in blooming now while it stretches it's toes in the new expansive pot, but I'll bet it will reward you later with even more blooms.

25 Jul '07 8:14 am

I suspect you're right that there will be a pause while the cactus adjusts. I think I'll go pick up some fish emulsion to support its growth. It's roots were holding tight to every square inch of the old pot. IT wasn't easy but I have a method now for managing the big pots.

I use an old redwood table and set it up so one end is right up to the new pot where it is to go. Then I either lift the old pot up onto the drop cloth covered table or, if it is too heavy, I roll the old pot turned on its side up a plank onto the table. I have an old fairly thin metal yardstick that is very strong but pliable. I pust this down the inside of the old pot to scrape the roots off of it. It also loosens the soil just beside the pot's edge; I do this all the way around the edge. Then the bulk of the root ball tips out intact. I measure to make sure I have the right amount of potting mix at the bottom of the new pot and then I lift the root ball and center it in the new pot. I put enough potting soil to stabolize the root ball, tamp it in and then water it. Then I fill up the pot with potting mix adding more water and tamping as I go.

Good to hear from you again. Enjoy your summer,
Mark

New table and pot

New table and pot

New table and pot

Hi Faith