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PilzeEssen


Registered: 12/24/07
Posts: 7,312
Loc: USA
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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a few questions for the cactus growers (pics)
#10720744 - 07/22/09 12:46 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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i just planted a san pedro cutting about a week ago. i pulled it out of the soil to replant it a little deeper in, and there are already a couple little roots starting to come out. also, the top of the cactus appears to be growing up, or just changing shape. im assuming its growing up. the top of the cactus is a lot lighter green than the rest of it. apparently that means theres too little light for it (although its directly under my living room light)
this is right after i planted it:

this is now. the top has obviously changed in only a week or 2.


my questions are:
how is this cactus going to grow? just straight up, or will it eventually branch off and have arms? (idk what u call them. im sure they have a name)
and
should i water it now? or wait until the roots have gotten longer?
-------------------- "The soul has greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist, it is by the ideal that we live." If you want to get a hold of me, my email address is in my profile. Just click on my screen name. I got banned from using private messages cause I didn't follow the rules...
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Methadone
Opiate



Registered: 05/23/09
Posts: 726
Loc: El Sur
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: PilzeEssen]
#10720800 - 07/22/09 12:56 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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First off, it needs more light. Not full sun, but more then its getting now. That will cause the tip to green up and not grow 'quite' so thin.
Second, yes it will eventually grow side shoots/base pups/branches, but it can take awhile.
Third, if its been at least a week or so since you transplanted it and you havent watered it yet, yes you can water it. But first get it some light. (not full sun, it will cook it! wait until it has strong roots then slowly get it used to full sun)
Also, try not to mess with it anymore until it has strong roots. The tiny root hairs are very sensitive and every time its transplanted you run the risk of injury to the roots and it will slow it down dramatically. (youll break the roots)
I reccomend either a brightly lit windowsill or a screened in porch that gets bright light. The plant will be much happier. If you feel so inclined you can also put a heating pad below the plant pot (on a LOW setting) to warm the soil up a bit. The warmth will help it root quicker, but dont cook them either.
Again, dont water it yet unless its been at least a week since you transplanted it.
-M
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ferrel_human
stone eater



Registered: 06/26/09
Posts: 16,318
Loc: Texas
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: PilzeEssen]
#10720805 - 07/22/09 12:57 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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it needs more light or its gonna be etiolated(i don't know if thats how you spell it). i see them at wally world in the succulent section like this all the time.
ps. you might want to get a bigger pot unless its just for decoration in which case it looks ok
-------------------- Nature is my church and walking through it is gospel. It tells no lies and reveals all to those who look, and listen, closely. -Karode
 Looking for Mimosa tenuiflora seeds. Buttons for trade
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PilzeEssen


Registered: 12/24/07
Posts: 7,312
Loc: USA
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: PilzeEssen]
#10720827 - 07/22/09 01:00 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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how exactly do i water it? just like a regular plant? how much water?
do i really need a bigger pot?
-------------------- "The soul has greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist, it is by the ideal that we live." If you want to get a hold of me, my email address is in my profile. Just click on my screen name. I got banned from using private messages cause I didn't follow the rules...
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Methadone
Opiate



Registered: 05/23/09
Posts: 726
Loc: El Sur
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: PilzeEssen]
#10720848 - 07/22/09 01:04 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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Dont upgrade the pot yet. Go ahead and let the plant root up as it is, then upgrade. Small steps. You water it like a regular plant, just dont ever water it in full sun (the water drops will superheat and burn the plant) and try to avoid getting water on the skin when youre fertilizing.
I'll help you out but im juggling a couple of things atm, give me at least 5 minutes to answer.
-M
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drift



Registered: 01/29/09
Posts: 1,274
Last seen: 8 years, 5 months
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: Methadone]
#10720947 - 07/22/09 01:24 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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In order to have a normal looking cactus, you're probably going to have to chop the top off and let it pup. That thing's damn etiolated, probably from sitting on a store shelf without light for quite some time.
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lolbience
bridgesy eye eye eye



Registered: 06/20/09
Posts: 306
Last seen: 9 years, 6 months
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: PilzeEssen]
#10720960 - 07/22/09 01:26 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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Your living room light is not enough for the cactus. It is growing thinner because of it's lack of light, and if you don't provide it with a window or some stronger light, it will continue to grow that thin. You may however, want to wait until your cactus has rooted itself before giving it full sunlight.
When the cactus is rooted and healthy, it may branch off at an areole(spot where the spines come out). It's called a pup.
You should probably wait before you water it. When you do, you can just pour a decent amount of water on the soil near the plant. However, you may have problems with your soil.
Cacti love drainage, and hate stagnant water. Your soil should dry quickly, and you should be able to drain water out of the bottom. Most people don't really need to be precise while watering their cacti, because when you water it, most excess water will simply drain out the bottom. After your pedro roots, you may want to look into buying a new pot with some sort of catcher/runoff collector on the bottom. It won't cost you more than 2-3$ for a pot that size. (make sure to remove the catcher if it gathers water. Standing water attracts all sorts of pests and fungi that will kill your cacti.)
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plainswalker
Plant Shepherd

Registered: 03/29/07
Posts: 765
Last seen: 7 years, 1 month
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: lolbience]
#10721023 - 07/22/09 01:39 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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It needs much more light than a household light will provide it. Soil should be pretty free-draining, that means not regular potting soil like you'd plant flowers or tomatoes in. Potting soil can be amended with perlite, sand, gravel, etc. to make it less water-retentive, more suitable for cacti. You shouldn't water it as much as a houseplant, especially now when it sounds like it just has root buds, not real roots yet. I'd also give it a bigger pot, but that's the least concern right now for you, first priority is getting the cactus a lot more light.
-------------------- tradelist
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PilzeEssen


Registered: 12/24/07
Posts: 7,312
Loc: USA
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: plainswalker]
#10721114 - 07/22/09 01:56 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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im going to have to go buy some kind of light for the cactus. the place i live doesnt get good sunlight.
im using miracle grow cactus soil, i figured that would suit a san pedro fairly well.
-------------------- "The soul has greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist, it is by the ideal that we live." If you want to get a hold of me, my email address is in my profile. Just click on my screen name. I got banned from using private messages cause I didn't follow the rules...
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drift



Registered: 01/29/09
Posts: 1,274
Last seen: 8 years, 5 months
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: PilzeEssen]
#10721153 - 07/22/09 02:04 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
PilzeEssen said: im going to have to go buy some kind of light for the cactus. the place i live doesnt get good sunlight.
im using miracle grow cactus soil, i figured that would suit a san pedro fairly well. 
It could work since pedros are pretty water tolerant, but you should give your soil mix some grit or perlite. The cactus will thank you.
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Methadone
Opiate



Registered: 05/23/09
Posts: 726
Loc: El Sur
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: PilzeEssen]
#10721163 - 07/22/09 02:06 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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Buy a compact fluorescent light to start. Buy the biggest one you can find, if you read the packaging it will give you 'watts, lumens, etc'. Find a bulb with the highest number of lumens you can. Its best to also put the plant in a window so it can receive both some natural light and artificial lighting.
Its not the best thing for it, but if youve got no other choice, it is what it is.
-M
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PilzeEssen


Registered: 12/24/07
Posts: 7,312
Loc: USA
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: Methadone]
#10721176 - 07/22/09 02:09 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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i wonder what my PO would say if he came over and saw a cactus under a light... i mean, im on papers for growin weed...
i might just find another home for it.
-------------------- "The soul has greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist, it is by the ideal that we live." If you want to get a hold of me, my email address is in my profile. Just click on my screen name. I got banned from using private messages cause I didn't follow the rules...
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Methadone
Opiate



Registered: 05/23/09
Posts: 726
Loc: El Sur
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: PilzeEssen]
#10721182 - 07/22/09 02:10 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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You'll be ok. Theyre perfectly legal. Just dont let them catch you eating it or anything. Dont let them find literature or books around your place concerning preparation/psychoactivity.
Really though, theyll just think you love plants. Theres nothing suspicious about a cactus.
-M
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plainswalker
Plant Shepherd

Registered: 03/29/07
Posts: 765
Last seen: 7 years, 1 month
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: Methadone]
#10721655 - 07/22/09 04:02 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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There's no way you can give it some sunlight? It will probably grow skinny under any light except maybe the most powerful/expensive ones. If it has to stay inside, Methadone's suggestion of window sunlight plus a grow light sounds like the best bet to me.
-------------------- tradelist
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PilzeEssen


Registered: 12/24/07
Posts: 7,312
Loc: USA
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: plainswalker]
#10721674 - 07/22/09 04:07 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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i get sunlight through one window. so its up in that window right now. i think that should be good. i might just take it over to a friends and put it in their kitchen, they have a bunch of windows in there.
im surprised at how fast its grown.
-------------------- "The soul has greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist, it is by the ideal that we live." If you want to get a hold of me, my email address is in my profile. Just click on my screen name. I got banned from using private messages cause I didn't follow the rules...
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Dr. uarewotueat
Peyote Farmer


Registered: 09/02/06
Posts: 16,545
Loc: Uk / Philippines
Last seen: 10 years, 6 months
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: PilzeEssen]
#10721974 - 07/22/09 05:06 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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be careful how much sunlight you give it if you do change its location, it is etiolated hence that pale tip will sunburn easily. it needs slowly introducing back into a sunny position.
Quote:
PilzeEssen said: im surprised at how fast its grown.
it hasn't grown at all, it has just stretched.
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Dr. uarewotueat
Peyote Farmer


Registered: 09/02/06
Posts: 16,545
Loc: Uk / Philippines
Last seen: 10 years, 6 months
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: Methadone]
#10721987 - 07/22/09 05:09 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
Methadone said: You'll be ok. Theyre perfectly legal. Just dont let them catch you eating it or anything. Dont let them find literature or books around your place concerning preparation/psychoactivity.
technically they are not legal as they contain a scheduled substance. in reality no LEO is going to bother you about it though, unless you start to prepare it.
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Cactusdan
Patecatl



Registered: 10/11/07
Posts: 7,024
Loc: Oregon
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: Dr. uarewotueat]
#10722039 - 07/22/09 05:23 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
Dr. uarewotueat said:
Quote:
Methadone said: You'll be ok. Theyre perfectly legal. Just dont let them catch you eating it or anything. Dont let them find literature or books around your place concerning preparation/psychoactivity.
technically they are not legal as they contain a scheduled substance. in reality no LEO is going to bother you about it though, unless you start to prepare it.
And if you do that in front of him you kinda deserve to get the tank
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Dr. uarewotueat
Peyote Farmer


Registered: 09/02/06
Posts: 16,545
Loc: Uk / Philippines
Last seen: 10 years, 6 months
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: Cactusdan]
#10722072 - 07/22/09 05:29 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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lol i didn't mean that.
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Cactusdan
Patecatl



Registered: 10/11/07
Posts: 7,024
Loc: Oregon
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Re: a few questions for the cactus growers (pics) [Re: Dr. uarewotueat]
#10722092 - 07/22/09 05:32 PM (14 years, 6 months ago) |
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Haha I know, just making some comedy
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