Hello green thumbed strangers.

I've owned this cactus for just over a year now and I'm just after a bit of advice really. The internet seems to have a wealth of information on cactus care but a lot of it seems to contradict itself. This cactus hasn't changed an awful lot since purchase apart from one thing and that's the spikes are brown. As far as I know they weren't this colour before but overall it seems quite happy sitting on my kitchen shelf. It doesn't get a great deal of sunlight, is this a problem? ? I give it a good glug of filtered water every two to three weeks. Also, it looks quite crowded in the pot, when should I repot? Any hints and tips would be very welcome. :)

cactus loving stranger

It looks like it may be Escobaria vivipara - the brown central spines are normal. Even though you are breaking every rule to growing a healthy cactus, your's seems to be doing well. Still nice and round and growing offsets.

Cactus grow slowly - patience required. I don't bother to repot unless: 1. the pot is tipping over or 2. the cactus is going to suffer if it doesn't have more surface space.

I would repot and now is an excellent time. Find a pot that is about 1/2 inch larger all the way around and is wider than it is tall. The best pot material is un-glazed terra cotta. After you repot, watch the water. Use a cactus growing soil: fast draining but able to re-absorb moisture when dry.

Daisy