T. peruvianus help

I just got my three rooted cactus. Now I need some help with how and when to separate my cactus. The roots are all tangled and they are crouding each other. I have a pic of them. I also am wondering if i might have two kinds of torch here being that the small one has realy long spines and the others have a little smaller. The seller said he got them from a good source so i am pretty sure they are the real thing.

[spacecake]

If I were you,I would cut them off..all three pieces and let them dry for one or two weeks.
Then put them in seperate pots ,and let them re-root.
This way you will have three, good looking new cacti ,while the old one will give new sprouts.

Thank you very much SpaceCake. I am still wondering if i got two different types of T. Peruvianus. The small one has much longer spines and is fatter and the taller ones are thiner and have a shorter spines. The pics kinda show it. Other then that they look the same.

Some one also posted about putting the water absorbing cyrstals in the soil. I was wondering if any one has had any luck with it or if it is a good idea.

Please i need some help. I just dont know about doing the cuttings already because i have read that cuttings dont work it they are to small so i am just wondering if they are to small to cut yet. I am new to growing cactus and i would like to get a good garden going. I am also interested about puting the crystals in the soil but i am interested in what others do and if it is a good idea. I counted the ribs last night and 2 of them have 7 and one has 6.

[spacecake]

I don't know what you mean with crystals,but Perilite works...
Take some cactus soil,and ad aboud 20 %perilite and 20 % sand for a good mixture.

As for the cuttings,I think they will be ready for it,size looks good on the pics.

I cannot I.D. those Peruvians,because of two things,..my lack of experiance,and the false color pics,..maybe If you can get better pics,or use photoshop to get rid of it...,then maybe I can try to i.d the those cacti. !

Originally Posted by aumbrellaforainydays

how was the incense tea Satyr? Shroomi Cacti, cacti likes well drained soil, like plenty of sand, a bit of regular potting soil, and maybe some perlite or those water crystals that hold water really well, while not causing a muddy mess. other than that its best to water too little than too much. its a cactus after all, and wont need much but light.

This is what i read from the ebay post

[spacecake]

Well someting aboud watering....don't water too often,..but when you do water..water plenty !!!

I give my cacti aboud 0.5 liter each ,some big ones even a liter of water !
Two days after that they will explode in growth..,then I wait a very long time,before watering again,..this works really well !

[loochypooch]

I'd leave them together and move to a larger pot without damaging the roots. Trichocereus like to grow in clumps. Just get them outside and let them grows out over the summer.

[bmmjb]

These cacti are hardy plants. Just wait until they are dry, pull them apart and let any breaks in the roots dry out and they should be ready to replant. They can go for months if not years without water, so don' worry about them getting too dry.

If you are doing cuttings, it is a good idea to let the cut ends dry for about a month before you plant them.