euphoraecopia Posted July 5, 2015 What's going on with this guy? What am I doing wrong? Here are a few shots of my current group of friends. Some on own roots, some grafted Here are my Trich grafted monsters. I pulled a couple of pups off the one on the left, looking to root them once calloused. I think I might have two flowers on the way! I'm planning on repotting most of these guys because it's been a couple of years for some of them, and I've learned quite a bit more since potting them originally. As you see a bunch of my guys are standing up and out quite a bit. When I repot them should I bury them a bit more? Or is there a problem one could diagnose from such growth behavior? My plan is to use better sifted soil, some crushed local sandstone—pieces and grit for drainage—plus some DE. Some percentage of the old potting mix will be recycled into the mix as well, for probiotics and whatnot. Almost all of them get watered once a month in the hot dry months (38-45°C, 2-15% humidity) and not at all once the temp drops below 10°, except the one grafted on the Harrisia, I know those aren't as drought or heat tolerant. It almost looks like he might throw out a flower as well, I'll be watching closely the next week or so. I tend to think I'm mild on the nutrients, using fish based stuff every other month or so. I appreciate the help and wisdom of this forum immensely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philocacti Posted July 5, 2015 Looks etoliated, needs more light 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theuserformallyknownasd00d Posted July 5, 2015 Yeh that lighting looks a bit weak Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Distracted Posted July 6, 2015 They all look a bit etoliated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dajindo Posted July 6, 2015 Maybe a 150 W HPS would help if there's not enough sunlight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert&Ernie Posted July 6, 2015 Yeah you can tell they need more light by how dark green they are aswell! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
euphoraecopia Posted July 6, 2015 Ok so light is the issue. Granted, today is the one of a dozen overcast days during the summer, but this spot is indirect sun from about noon on. Maybe I'll move them to the other side of the porch where they get sun from noon til sundown? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dajindo Posted July 6, 2015 Yes, it sounds like a good idea. Cacti will love all the full sun they can get. I know mine did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
euphoraecopia Posted July 10, 2015 (edited) Alright I've moved them to a spot that is stronger filtered light til noon, then full sun for a few hours, then tree shaded as the sun sets. I'm thinking to leave them there for a week before moving them into full sun throughout the middle of the day. I didn't realize, aside from morning sun, how much shade they were actually living in. How long should I watch them to tell if the adjustment is enough? I check them every day, mostly because of my first ever flower (yay!). Maybe it's my imagination, but the growing edge does seem to be retreating a bit on all of them, if that makes sense. As for the flower, I saved some pollen on a Q tip when it opened. The other flower looks a week out; does it matter if I cross flowers on the same plant or should I wait for the Harrisia graft to flower? That one looks 2 weeks out. Pardon the pic, still overcast. Edited July 10, 2015 by euphoraecopia 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dajindo Posted July 10, 2015 (edited) Beautiful flower! Never grown Lophs. But I guess that color is going to change first if conditions are different. It's just a guess, hope someone more experienced can chime in. Edited July 10, 2015 by dajindo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theuserformallyknownasd00d Posted July 10, 2015 Watch they don't burn from the stark differences in lighting! If they've been in those conditions for a while I'd introduce them slowly! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zelly Posted July 10, 2015 IMHO your lophs will be just fine in their current location & even better the more full sun you can give them And if they are Williamsii there's a good chance they're self fertile, meaning you don't have to do a darn thing to get seeds.......unless you want to increase the chances of more seeds by twirling a tiny paint brush among the pistil & anthers I also strongly recommend you let the plants do their own thing on their time frame and go find something else to do than babysit them 24/7. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philocacti Posted July 10, 2015 I never seen a williamsii with white flowers, must be pretty rare. I have a couple with almost white flowers but they have a very faint color of pink. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
euphoraecopia Posted July 11, 2015 IMHO your lophs will be just fine in their current location & even better the more full sun you can give them And if they are Williamsii there's a good chance they're self fertile, meaning you don't have to do a darn thing to get seeds.......unless you want to increase the chances of more seeds by twirling a tiny paint brush among the pistil & anthers I also strongly recommend you let the plants do their own thing on their time frame and go find something else to do than babysit them 24/7. Good advice for everyone. that's why I'm asking as many questions as I am so I can improve their living conditions in as few chess moves as possible. I don't worry about them too much, they've taught me how hardy they are. But I do enjoy looking at them every day. I never seen a williamsii with white flowers, must be pretty rare. I have a couple with almost white flowers but they have a very faint color of pink. The photo might not show it, but there's a rib of pink just down the middle of each petal. Now that the flower is closed, it's much more obvious how much pink there is in them. Sorry, no picture. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
