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banjofraz



Registered: 04/04/13
Posts: 78
Loc: Scotland
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Cacti questions
#19282748 - 12/16/13 08:13 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Hello all
So I have just received two youngsters, both rooted but not in soil. One is williamsii, the other is a baby bridgessi.

I have been doing research a plenty, but inevitably some questions have cropped up. My understanding is that cacti go dormant around this time of year, so I'm wondering if I should pot these guys up now or wait till spring time?
Also the williamsii appears to healthy, however it is a little 'springy' but not overly soft. Is this just dormancy traits?
I know they are fairly robust so I haven't attempted to feed them or anything yet.
Cheers team
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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I also would like to know about cactus dormancy too,as I've never let my cacti go dormant before,ever.I also want to know if/why this is necessary,if you keep the temps/lighting right all year round?
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Mostly_Harmless
wyrd bið ful aræd



Registered: 05/12/09
Posts: 5,043
Loc: Perfidious Albion
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You can go ahead and pot them up now, but be sure the chosen mix is bone dry. Lophs will be a bit springy, and yes more so in winter time when dormant. Sounds fine! The trich will appreciate more organic material, the loph not so much, so amend as needed.
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Mostly_Harmless
wyrd bið ful aræd



Registered: 05/12/09
Posts: 5,043
Loc: Perfidious Albion
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Re: Cacti questions [Re: KBG1977]
#19282790 - 12/16/13 08:27 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
KBG1977 said: I also would like to know about cactus dormancy too,as I've never let my cacti go dormant before,ever.I also want to know if/why this is necessary,if you keep the temps/lighting right all year round?
Some species require a cold dormant period to bring on flowering the following year.
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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Thanks man,I was beginning to wonder if anyone would ever enlighten me on the subject So,it's not really a requirement for all Cacti then right?Also,how can I find out just what species benefit from Dormancy?I know my Lophs always flowered without one,and my mammalaria,and a few others did too,back when I lived in Florida.
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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Re: Cacti questions [Re: KBG1977]
#19282809 - 12/16/13 08:33 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Oh yeah,sorry to hijack your thread banjofraz,and those are some nice specimens
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banjofraz



Registered: 04/04/13
Posts: 78
Loc: Scotland
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Re: Cacti questions [Re: KBG1977]
#19282826 - 12/16/13 08:41 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Nice one MH, appreciate the advice 
I was planning on using something along the lines of 1 part perlite, 1 part sand, 1 part compost (1 have some John Innes 2) - how does that sound? I shall do as you suggest and get some extra material for the bridgesii.
Hey KBG no sweat man, I don't look at adding to a conversation as hi-jacking - the more the merrier!
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Mostly_Harmless
wyrd bið ful aræd



Registered: 05/12/09
Posts: 5,043
Loc: Perfidious Albion
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Re: Cacti questions [Re: KBG1977]
#19282830 - 12/16/13 08:42 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
KBG1977 said: Thanks man,I was beginning to wonder if anyone would ever enlighten me on the subject So,it's not really a requirement for all Cacti then right?Also,how can I find out just what species benefit from Dormancy?I know my Lophs always flowered without one,and my mammalaria,and a few others did too,back when I lived in Florida.
Yes, not all cacti require it. As to which will benefit from it, I don't know all the genera which will. Some that do include Rebutia, Sulcorebutia, Aylostera, Sclerocactus.
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Mostly_Harmless
wyrd bið ful aræd



Registered: 05/12/09
Posts: 5,043
Loc: Perfidious Albion
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I would replace the sand with some tesco kitty litter Sand tends to just fill the gaps in the soil, gaps which we want for drainage and aeration. Sand in a pot doesn't drain like a desert outdoors. And for the loph, maybe 2 parts litter, 2 parts perlite, 1 part compost (with large bits removed)
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banjofraz



Registered: 04/04/13
Posts: 78
Loc: Scotland
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Kitty litter eh?
Sound advice, thank you. Last question - when would you say is the time to give them their first watering?
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Mostly_Harmless
wyrd bið ful aræd



Registered: 05/12/09
Posts: 5,043
Loc: Perfidious Albion
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The litter in the pink and yellow bag, it will say on it product of denmark. The litter itself is pink and doesn't clump.
perlite+moler (the litter)

Hrm first water.. I often don't get going until April. Sooner for any kept inside and not in the greenhouse. And the first watering is just a small one, then the second is a fuller soak.
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KBG1977
Registered: 08/23/08
Posts: 11,017
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Quote:
Mostly_Harmless said:
Quote:
KBG1977 said: Thanks man,I was beginning to wonder if anyone would ever enlighten me on the subject So,it's not really a requirement for all Cacti then right?Also,how can I find out just what species benefit from Dormancy?I know my Lophs always flowered without one,and my mammalaria,and a few others did too,back when I lived in Florida.
Yes, not all cacti require it. As to which will benefit from it, I don't know all the genera which will. Some that do include Rebutia, Sulcorebutia, Aylostera, Sclerocactus.
Thanks for the info mate
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