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Acaterpillar
A little mad...



Registered: 06/09/07
Posts: 18,693
Loc: Down the rabbit hole
Last seen: 4 months, 27 days
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Preventing Etiolation
#15213275 - 10/12/11 10:48 AM (12 years, 4 months ago) |
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I used to think the threat of etiolation depended entirely upon the amount of light. But I've been noticing that many of the cuttings I propagate from my cacti will have etiolated growth even when in full sun.
Could the reason for this skinnier new growth be because the cuttings have only established a very small root system, and cannot pull the necessary energy from the soil to maintain it's previous girth?
Would it be possible to avoid this by allowing cuttings a longer period of time to establish roots before giving them water?
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chimmycham
Stranger


Registered: 12/19/09
Posts: 95
Last seen: 10 years, 5 months
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I'm no expert but I would think that you are giving them too much sun too early.
Try Giving them partial sun for around 2 weeks before giving them full sun exposure.
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wanderingmarlin


Registered: 04/30/11
Posts: 159
Loc: Zone 10a, 33 N lat, CA US...
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Re: Preventing Etiolation [Re: chimmycham]
#15213676 - 10/12/11 12:30 PM (12 years, 4 months ago) |
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I've noticed the same thing and I've always thought the same thing, the root system just isn't there yet. After a few months of growth it fattens back up no problem.
I think chimmy's right too, the full sun could promote too much growth, and the underdeveloped root system can't keep up.
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Acaterpillar
A little mad...



Registered: 06/09/07
Posts: 18,693
Loc: Down the rabbit hole
Last seen: 4 months, 27 days
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Alright. I just took three new cuttings, so I'll try changing up my usual process and allow them to sit in partial light for a longer period this time.
-------------------- Aaa...E I O Uuu...A E I O Uuu..A E I O uh Uuu.. *Cough* *Cough* Ooo...U E I O Aaa...U E I Aaa..A E I O Uuuuu... At first sight, The Perfection of Wisdom is bewildering, full of paradox and apparent irrationality.
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ferrel_human
stone eater



Registered: 06/26/09
Posts: 16,359
Loc: Texas
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i seen they get skinny at the top before they fatten up. this is usually on fatter cuttings.
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naum



Registered: 10/09/07
Posts: 4,069
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Thinning or pinching is not the same thing as etiolation necessarily.
You're correct in thinking it is due to a lack of root mass on newly rooted cuttings. If the amount of water, light, and most importantly temperature is right it is possible to avoid thinning entirely. Full sun will not cause a plant to etiolate and even with newly rooted cuttings causes them to detiolate. However if the average temperature is much above 75 F the plant will almost always thin or etiolate in my experience.
If you're getting cactus from a grower, you need to keep in mind that one they may live in a climate that is more Trichocereus-friendly (like SoCal) than you and they are likely taking cuttings off of very established plants. Thinning is less of an issue when I'm taking cuttings from my own plants--etiolation can still happen, but it only happens to me when I place cuttings in the shade during the warmer months. Likewise, after 1-2 years I notice the tips of my plants fattening up considerably.
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