CephAnt Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 Hello, I have had a cephalotus growing in the same pot, same soil for many, many years now. It has separated a few times and seems happy enough, but I was wondering if I should repot it for better care and how/when I should go about doing this for best results? Many thanks for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimitar Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 Why do u want to repot your plant? To me looks quite happy as it is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CephAnt Posted February 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 Well, it's had the same soil for maybe 10 years now. I thought it might be good idea to change? But if it is better to leave it if it is happy I will do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
partisangardener Posted February 5, 2017 Report Share Posted February 5, 2017 I would repot it. It is a bit small for 10 years growth. Do you have regular die back? Not all leafs look very healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corky Posted February 5, 2017 Report Share Posted February 5, 2017 I agree that something wrong if that's ten years old, but that could be a number of things and not necessarily solved by a repot, but if that's a twelve inch bucket its growing in I'll take it all back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CephAnt Posted February 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2017 It has died back a lot recently. It had to be put outside last year for a cochineal infestation (as far as I could tell). Didn't seem to be harming the plant as it was growing very well, but the little things started appearing all over the walls. While it was outside it died back. Have brought it back in to avoid the colder weather. Pot size is about 8 inches. 10 years has just gone by with it looking happy plus I was always wary to uproot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
partisangardener Posted February 6, 2017 Report Share Posted February 6, 2017 (edited) I have not yet experienced something like crown rot or sudden death. It is maybe too early only 3 years of growth and less than 10 plants altogether. But while I was investigating about crown rot, I stumbled over boron deficiency. I started with Cephalotus just to see if they would grow faster. But though they grow quite fast I have not yet made up my mind about Cephalotus. Other plants seem to profit greatly some are quite timid about Boron. Strawberries for example. I applied 10 times each week once and the leafs started out getting very tough but after 10 weeks I had crippled leafs and very small fruits. After soaking the pot in rainwater they restored their old vigour and fruited normal. My Cephalotus got about double amount without any ill effect. But now they get only once every two month a squirt of Borax solution which just moistens the surface of the plant. still growing very well. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron_deficiency_(plant_disorder) http://icps.proboards.com/thread/7261/boron-solution-cultivation-problems http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=14027.15 Most people repot them more often. So this issue might not appear. I still don’t know if a very much diluted Borax solution will help in such issue but you might have a try. I could send you a small portion for free of this stuff if you want to try. It is difficult to obtain now. It is as poisonous for humans as ordinary salt. It is very poisonous for insects. In very strong solutions it was used as a herbicide, so don’t use more than recommended Here are mine poor specimens with borax abuse ;) http://www.health-science-spirit.com/borax.htm Edited February 6, 2017 by partisangardener Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CephAnt Posted February 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2017 Thanks for the info! I will probably leave my plant potted until the growing season and then see if it still grows happily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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