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FlyOnTheWall
Stranger


Registered: 06/14/15
Posts: 1,274
Last seen: 6 years, 20 days
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Light and Dark Cycle for Cacti
#21912088 - 07/07/15 09:47 PM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
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I have to bridgesii and loph in the same spot in a south facing window. They get a pretty good amount of sun. This is also the room that I work in. I often have the light on in the room until very early in the morning.
My question is - will the light in my room interfere with the light/dark cycle of my cacti?
I don't really have anywhere else I can put them, so I am really hoping it is not a problem. The light is a medusa lamp with several 13w, 850 lumens bulbs in them. Is this going to be a problem?
I just started my cacti garden recently, and of course I really want to try to avoid stressing or killing the cacti!!
Edited by FlyOnTheWall (07/07/15 11:13 PM)
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cowsRmeat
Don't step on the MomeRaths



Registered: 04/23/14
Posts: 3,153
Loc: Wonderland
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Re: Light and Dark Cycle for Cacti [Re: FlyOnTheWall]
#21912572 - 07/07/15 11:25 PM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
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Is growing outdoors not an option for you? Honestly, it's not easy to grow healthy, happy cacti indoors. It can be done, it's just not cheap/easy
-------------------- One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. 'Which road do I take?' she asked. 'Where do you want to go?' was his response. 'I don't know', Alice answered. 'Then', said the cat, 'it doesn't matter.'
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FlyOnTheWall
Stranger


Registered: 06/14/15
Posts: 1,274
Last seen: 6 years, 20 days
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Re: Light and Dark Cycle for Cacti [Re: cowsRmeat]
#21912750 - 07/07/15 11:56 PM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
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Thanks for the feedback cowsRmeat.
Unfortunately, at this time growing outdoors is not an option for me. It will be again one day in a few years most likely. I would like to start a collection now if possible, though.
I am willing to get a light if necessary. I was hoping I wouldn't need to do that, though. I have a huge 6 foot by 7 foot south facing window where they can get tons of sunlight for 8-12 hours everyday.
USDA zone 10a if that makes any difference.
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cowsRmeat
Don't step on the MomeRaths



Registered: 04/23/14
Posts: 3,153
Loc: Wonderland
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Re: Light and Dark Cycle for Cacti [Re: FlyOnTheWall]
#21912817 - 07/08/15 12:12 AM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
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Well, they ought not die in a window that size especially in your zone, but they just won't thrive. I wouldn't imagine they would anyway... Generally when I see anyone growing indoors, they use HPS lighting. Cacti just need a lot of light and warmth to be happy... Maybe someone might chime in with their indoor growing experiences, but generally speaking most people will tell you to just put them outside or at the least give them some big ol' HPS lights...
-------------------- One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. 'Which road do I take?' she asked. 'Where do you want to go?' was his response. 'I don't know', Alice answered. 'Then', said the cat, 'it doesn't matter.'
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Lemnaminor
Lophophora - eyed



Registered: 11/13/13
Posts: 1,366
Loc: Sicily
Last seen: 1 month, 25 days
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Re: Light and Dark Cycle for Cacti [Re: cowsRmeat]
#21913084 - 07/08/15 01:24 AM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
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I guess 6 hours of dark is enought. You work all the night, till the morning?
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      "The best things in life, come covered in spines."
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LSoares
Farmer



Registered: 10/09/13
Posts: 3,209
Loc: Portugal
Last seen: 4 years, 2 months
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Re: Light and Dark Cycle for Cacti [Re: Lemnaminor]
#21913263 - 07/08/15 02:23 AM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
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You don't need more light than what you get from a 6x7 foot south facing window. In fact, if anything, you have too much light and risk scorching, especially in the spring. How do you get away with the heat, is the window double glazed? Does it have any film over it? I live in a 10a zone as well and you won't get me anywhere near a big south facing window from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m...
A simple or double glazed window will not interfere too much with the light and you will be able to grow happy plants. Just remember to keep turning that trich on a regular basis or it will lean badly towards the light. The Lophophora will do the same, but it's not as unsightly.
As for the interference of your work with the light cycle, well, that would need to be seen precisely. If you have the light concentrated on your work area and all that reaches the plants is a sort of ambient, subdued light, you will be fine. If you have an even distribution of rather intense light on the whole room, than it's safe to assume it will mess with the cycle. Try to get some curtains and keep the plants behind them during the night (watch out for the cold in winter and heat concentration in the summer, you should really just use them when needed...)
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FlyOnTheWall
Stranger


Registered: 06/14/15
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Re: Light and Dark Cycle for Cacti [Re: LSoares]
#21913360 - 07/08/15 03:23 AM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
Lemnaminor said: I guess 6 hours of dark is enought. You work all the night, till the morning?
That is good to hear. I can probably get them 6 hours if I alter my schedule just a little. Yes, I usually work throughout most of the night. I am generally able to focus better and the internet tends to be much faster as well.
Quote:
LSoares said: You don't need more light than what you get from a 6x7 foot south facing window. In fact, if anything, you have too much light and risk scorching, especially in the spring. How do you get away with the heat, is the window double glazed? Does it have any film over it? I live in a 10a zone as well and you won't get me anywhere near a big south facing window from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m...
A simple or double glazed window will not interfere too much with the light and you will be able to grow happy plants. Just remember to keep turning that trich on a regular basis or it will lean badly towards the light. The Lophophora will do the same, but it's not as unsightly.
As for the interference of your work with the light cycle, well, that would need to be seen precisely. If you have the light concentrated on your work area and all that reaches the plants is a sort of ambient, subdued light, you will be fine. If you have an even distribution of rather intense light on the whole room, than it's safe to assume it will mess with the cycle. Try to get some curtains and keep the plants behind them during the night (watch out for the cold in winter and heat concentration in the summer, you should really just use them when needed...)
Thanks for your response. Yes, the windows are double glazed. As far as any films over the window, there may be a slight film. I don't think it will interfere too much though, because the window is a normal 'clear' color. No darker tint or anything.
I'm glad to hear that you think they will be okay in the window. I had assumed it would be plenty of light and I was concerned that some thought it may not be enough. As you mentioned as well, I was also originally more concerned about the spot being too much sun. It gets extremely warm next to the window most of the year, only cooling off a little bit during the winter months.
So far, I have 2 bridgesii cuttings I am rooting, and 1 loph I repotted. I put them in their new home about two weeks ago.
I have been trying to slowly acclimate my cacti to their new spot by the window, and I have been using the blinds as a sunscreen. The sun is so intense right now (summer) from 12-6 I have been afraid to even open up the blinds all the way.
I am going to slowly increase the amount of direct sunlight these next two weeks, and I am hoping I will be able to leave them in full sun by the end of this month. I will be away for all of august. So I am hoping I can get settled in enough by then that I can leave them unattended for awhile.
There is a 18cm/7inch wide window pane running vertically through the window. I am planning on situating the loph a little bit behind this pane so that he isn't sitting totally out in direct sunlight all day. Is this a good idea you think? I know they tend to grow under bushes and slightly shaded areas in the wild.
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LSoares
Farmer



Registered: 10/09/13
Posts: 3,209
Loc: Portugal
Last seen: 4 years, 2 months
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Re: Light and Dark Cycle for Cacti [Re: FlyOnTheWall]
#21913369 - 07/08/15 03:28 AM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
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Using the pane as a "moving shade" is a good idea, yes. Pay attention to your plants and you will see if and which need more or less light. Good luck.
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FlyOnTheWall
Stranger


Registered: 06/14/15
Posts: 1,274
Last seen: 6 years, 20 days
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Re: Light and Dark Cycle for Cacti [Re: LSoares]
#21913398 - 07/08/15 03:57 AM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
LSoares said: Using the pane as a "moving shade" is a good idea, yes. Pay attention to your plants and you will see if and which need more or less light. Good luck. 
You are always very helpful and usually have some great feedback for me. I really appreciate it, thank you so much!
I really want to make sure I can give my cacti the most optimal conditions I am capable of giving them right now, so I came up with a temporary solution to my light/dark cycle problem.
I took a box, and cut away one side completely so the cacti can still get the fresh air that comes in the cracked window.
They are shaded from the light in my room, though, and with the box over them the cacti can enjoy total darkness.
Unless I want to keep getting larger boxes as the bridgesii grow, this solution is only temporary, but it works for now.
I am going to start putting this over the cacti at sunset and then taking it off when I finally turn the light out at night.
That way, the cacti will be in the dark while the light is on in my room at night, and the light cycle will be close to natural.

I turned the box slightly so I could get light for the photo, but normally it will be totally dark under there.
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LSoares
Farmer



Registered: 10/09/13
Posts: 3,209
Loc: Portugal
Last seen: 4 years, 2 months
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Re: Light and Dark Cycle for Cacti [Re: FlyOnTheWall]
#21913427 - 07/08/15 04:19 AM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
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It's a good solution, but make sure it works for YOU as well. When we design our gardening routines we should make sure that we can keep up with them. For example, too many people grow their collection to the point that they can no longer tend for it for lack of time or interest, and it eventually gets neglected and it leads to frustration and loss of interest, etc. My point is: if that routine is ok with you, then it's the perfect solution. But if you will eventually get tired of placing the box and taking it off, then it will become a problem. Just warning you. 
(and thank you for your kind words)
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FlyOnTheWall
Stranger


Registered: 06/14/15
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Last seen: 6 years, 20 days
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Re: Light and Dark Cycle for Cacti [Re: LSoares]
#21913441 - 07/08/15 04:31 AM (8 years, 6 months ago) |
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That is a great point.
The only time I will need to do this is when the light is on at night because I am already in the room. So I think it will be pretty easy for me to remember to put the box over it and keep up with the routine.
When I am away or not home, I will not have to worry about putting the box over it because the it will always be dark in the room and the only light will be sunlight.
This will hopefully only be a temporary solution, though.
Thanks again for the advice LSoares!!!
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