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Elementium
Friendly Neighborhood Lurker




Registered: 12/06/06
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Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter
#7435648 - 09/21/07 08:33 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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So I've seen a lot of advice that suggests transitioning one's cacti into dormancy for the winter to avoid etiolation.
Does this mean that bringing them indoors for the winter and placing them in a well-heated room with lots of southern exposure isn't sufficient to meet growing parameters?
I hear that halide or HPS grow lights are effective, and I'm willing to make the investment, but only if the aforementioned course will be inadequate.
Thanks in advance.
Good vibes.
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Dr. uarewotueat
Peyote Farmer


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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: Elementium]
#7435671 - 09/21/07 08:43 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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its the sun intensity thats the issue. a south facing window might be bright, but winter sun isnt strong enough.
if u have alot of cacti its worth investing in a hps or mh lamp, if not then its probably better to put them to sleep for the winter.
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TurntableJunky
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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: Elementium]
#7435676 - 09/21/07 08:43 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Just put them into dormancy.
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Elementium
Friendly Neighborhood Lurker




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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: Dr. uarewotueat]
#7435680 - 09/21/07 08:44 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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I see, I see.
Thanks for the info, brother. 
__
Oh, one more thing.
Say that one had a number of calloused, but yet unrooted colums of cactus, about a foot in length each.
Would it be advisable to root them now, or should they be left as-is until winter has passed?
Edited by Elementium (09/21/07 08:47 AM)
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blazed123
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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: Elementium]
#7436663 - 09/21/07 01:42 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Dormancy would involve reducing everything the plant needs to grow (light, heat and water)
Rather than a south facing window in a warm room, you want a cool, dark room while withholding water for the whole winter. Smaller cacti or seedlings might need a watering every once in a while...but the big ones will do fine without it. Otherwise, you'll get etoliation or stretching that ruins the aesthetics and the structural integrity of the cactus. The stretching is the cactus's way of looking for light. So rather than growing slow and thick, it grows quick and fast hoping that it can reach new heights where more light may be available. If you put it into dormancy it just sleeps.
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Psy Baba
That was zen, This is Tao



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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: blazed123]
#7436701 - 09/21/07 01:49 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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If you have grow lights, can you keep a decent growth year round?
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cpw1971
Mr

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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: Psy Baba]
#7436944 - 09/21/07 02:43 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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yup the sun of course is always better though
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PoC
Relax


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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: cpw1971]
#7450798 - 09/25/07 07:58 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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So I'm still not really clear about what would put a cactus into dormancy. I live in the pacific northwest and I'm sure winter will be too cold outside. I have two 20watt, 2 foot flouros about 3-5" from my cacti right now with a seedling heating mat under them (they're sitting next to a bunch of germinating poppy seeds). Under these lights that they're used to how would I put the cacti into dormancy? I don't have any south-facing windows that are adequate (have a big, covered porch to the south) and even all the other windows don't have sills or just aren't appropriate either.
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cpw1971
Mr

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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: PoC]
#7451258 - 09/25/07 10:37 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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put em in the dark and don't feed them. they will go dormant. don't give them light or they will be etoliated
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royer
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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: cpw1971]
#7451281 - 09/25/07 10:43 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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we covered it a bunch of times, also it is not just about putting them in the dark.
my cacti are dormant right now and they are not in the dark nor have they been!
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cpw1971
Mr

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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: royer]
#7451326 - 09/25/07 10:53 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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well how does that work??? am I wrong??? I never put mine into dormancy yet and probably never will  I say fuck dormancy and get a powerful HPS
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Dr. uarewotueat
Peyote Farmer


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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: cpw1971]
#7452109 - 09/25/07 02:48 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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light is the least most important factor to preventing etoliation... its far more important to lower the temperature and withold water...
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royer
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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: Dr. uarewotueat]
#7452247 - 09/25/07 03:18 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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yep cut down on the water and temp is the important factor on cacti dormancy, as i have said in many threads putting your cacti in the dark doesn't matter ,
well i guess it could because if your cactus isn't dormant to Begin with then etoliation will severely happen and the tips will turn yellow white.
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cpw1971
Mr

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Re: Desert Cacti and the Approaching Winter [Re: royer]
#7452435 - 09/25/07 04:17 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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well I haven't read those threads I guess  ok cool good info
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