Repotting Medusoid Euphorbias

Although Euphorbias are a major part of my collection, some of them get pushed to the back of the table or on the list of plants to be repotted 'soon'.  For at least some of them 'Soon' has arrived, pushed as much as anything for the need for photographs for an upcoming talk on Euphorbia cultivation.  All of these were in an old potting soil mix, in most cases so compacted that it could barely absorb water. The plants were suffering from neglect and they all need some work even after repotting.  All of the plants were moved to my new standard mix, which is about 60 % washed pumice, 20% crushed black lava rock (also washed) and 20% vermiculite.  This drains quickly, absorbs water instantly, doesn't compact, and is better at nutrient storage and usage than pure pumice.

On to the plants.

Euphorbia astrophora, sitting is a pot with compacted soil far longer than it should have.  Good new growth on top, but too much brown on the sides.

A better view.  Healthy new growth, but not what it should be.  It was getting watered and fertilized regularly, but little of either were getting to the plant.

Much to my surprise, the roots were in great shape, and much longer than expected.  I was planning on using a slightly deeper pot than it was in, but this gave me an opportunity to use something more interesting.

A much more interesting pot and a more interesting display.  It still needs to grow out for another year or so and get back to full health, but this is a step in the right direction.

Euphorbia albipollinifera, patiently waiting for more attention, although this was repotted several times as it outgrew smaller pots.  It was sprawling out of a 6 inch plastic pot.

When unpotted, the roots were fairly shallow, but best of all, an offset was growing from the side.  With proper conditions, this will grow and make a much more interesting plant.

Albipollinifera repotted in a fantastic Joe Wujcik pot.  The offset is just to the left of center, poking through the potting mix.

Since my mix is basically rock, I'm no longer using top dressing, except when I get ready to show the plant.

Euphorbia dusiemata, a relatively rare Euphorbia, but one that I could never really make look good, regardless of how it was potted, and shuffled off to the land of neglect.

Cleaning the dead stems was an immediate improvement, but there was still to solid potting mix to clean out.

Cleaning showed the roots, while healthy were very short, even for this small pot.  The tuberous central root is nearly as large as it would get in habitat.

Euphorbia dusiemata repotted in a better mix.  Still not wonderful, but given a chance to show its worth.  In the end, this may be a species that is justifiably obscure.