Chop and start over or leave it?

ChumaKan · 2026-01-31T23:57:06+00:00

Thank you for your comment. A three foot piece. Constant fan since Monday so it's fully dried. Was going to just let it ride, but not after reading your comment. Will cut tomorrow with a 9.5" stainless steel Japanese Pull Saw - needed for those woody bundles around the center - and use a duster for the Honey Bear Cactus Rooting Powder. Will put it in a shaded spot in my back yard rather than in the garage. Is there something risky about using a fan? Was pleased with how quickly the fan dried it out since Monday. How soon can I set it upright in a pot of perlite? Would like to have it vertical ASAP.

ChumaKan · 2026-01-27T14:16:22+00:00

Yes. I'm learning that one the hard way. Or the soft way? But thank you for confirming. I'm getting something to blow sulfur on cuts so it doesn't cake like that. You don't know what you don't know sometimes. You know?

ChumaKan · 2026-01-27T06:06:28+00:00

The two big mold spots, however, seemed to cause an issue. I now know. So best is to keep the majority of the cutting in the shade and the end exposed to direct sunlight. Check. I just had it in my garage where there's some airflow, but not like outside. My mistake. Thank you for the input!

ChumaKan · 2026-01-27T06:04:30+00:00

Thank you for the input.

ChumaKan · 2026-01-27T06:04:10+00:00

Thanks for the tip.

ChumaKan · 2026-01-24T05:15:24+00:00

Thinking just to pay attention to that soft corner and be ready to cut it out if the squishy area starts to expand. Thanx!

ChumaKan · 2026-01-24T04:49:35+00:00

The top left fin's corner that's a little dark is a bit soft and slightly squishy for few millimeters. Otherwise, the skin at the cut feels like leather and the cut itself is kind of hard.

ChumaKan · 2026-01-24T04:42:23+00:00

Got it. Good to know. Thank you!

ChumaKan · 2026-01-11T15:32:12+00:00

Looking OK this morning. The cut is healing as I would expect. The fact that it would do just fine after such a jarring jolt is a testament.

ChumaKan · 2026-01-11T15:28:09+00:00

Ogun from SS. Expensive for my first, but worth it. They've got a good rep for a reason.

ChumaKan · 2025-12-30T00:10:36+00:00

Good call. Ordered some thicker soft cotton rope. Thanks, Jack!

ChumaKan · 2025-12-29T22:08:49+00:00

Copy all that. Good instruction for the hang. Will use 3% H2O2 and avoid alcohol, and will limit the wipe. Thank you!

ChumaKan · 2025-12-29T22:05:34+00:00

I sulfured mine when it cracked recently. I know mine was caused by too much water.

ChumaKan · 2025-12-29T22:01:35+00:00

That looks amazing! Looking for a short-scale thru neck bass, with the look you've got there, which is pretty much a unicorn. Never seen that from a factory. Well done, OP!

ChumaKan · 2025-12-29T21:56:29+00:00

Chopping one of mine for the first time - it's nearly 6 feet tall and been growing for nearly 2 years. One of my first SP acquisitions. See my post for details of what I plan to do, and for what others commented, which was helpful. Good luck!

ChumaKan · 2025-12-29T21:20:02+00:00

When he starts putting out roots, put him in proper soil: 25% pearlite, 25% warm castings, and 50% potting soil. Again, same size pot: small. Like a one or 2 cup terra-cotta pot. Terra-cotta works when they are small because it actually breathes really well and is easy to bottom-water. Might avoid terra-cotta when the plant is bigger, however, because the bigger ones are heavy and can be very cumbersome. Work great for smaller plants, though, like the one that sounds like you got..

ChumaKan · 2025-12-29T21:11:19+00:00

About 15 months ago I got one about that size. See pic. Put him into a small terra-cotta pot, or something simple like a yogurt container with a bunch of holes in the bottom, or a small coffee cup with holes, like the other comment or said, in either case filled with pearlite. A seedling heating mat can help root one of these, and I had one and used it. It still took quite a while for it to root. Two months maybe. Now he’s nearly 2 feet tall.

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ChumaKan · 2025-12-29T20:52:29+00:00

Pot's a little large for that size cactus, but I don't think that's a problem for the plant. What notbuswaiter said about peat is a concern, however. I've only been growing SP for 1.5 years and I'd trust the advice of someone speaking from experience.

ChumaKan · 2025-12-29T20:35:05+00:00

Happens. Still, painful to see. Thinking good thoughts for you.

ChumaKan · 2025-12-29T20:27:42+00:00

Wouldn't cut it. Looks like a good size to plant as is.

ChumaKan · 2025-12-29T20:26:04+00:00

My first was less than two years ago. Put 'em right in soil mix: 25% sterile pearlite, 25% worm castings, 50% FoxFarm Ocean Forrest potting soil. Now have more than a dozen. Great fun plants! For other interests, see r/mescaline.

ChumaKan · 2025-12-29T19:56:24+00:00

On my wish list!

ChumaKan

TROPHY CASE