Cacti Question

[SPedigrees]

I planted these little guys from seed about 10 years ago and they seem ok but haven't grown much at all in the last 5 years. They are on a windowsill that gets a fair amount of sunlight in summer, but sunlight is scarce here in winter. Also this room tends to be warmish even with the A/C in summer, but a few degrees cooler than the 68F of the rest of the house in winter. After causing death by drowning of former cacti (RIP) I instituted my present watering system, which is that I check the weather in Phoenix AZ every day and when it rains there I give 2 tblsp of water to the cacti.

The thing is that, given climate change, Phoenix has been suffering extreme heat in recent years, causing damage and death to many Saguaro and other native plants. So, while my little cacti, if anything are not getting temperatures warm enough, they are at least protected from the current Arizona heatwave. But I wonder if they also are not getting the water that they need. With my past history, I'm reluctant to increase their water supply, but do you all think they need more?

The diorama in the foreground contains no living things. My plan B if the little cactus family on the windowsill die, is to turn their little pot into a similar lifeless habitat, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

 

[akroberts]

I planted these little guys from seed about 10 years ago and they seem ok but haven't grown much at all in the last 5 years. They are on a windowsill that gets a fair amount of sunlight in summer, but sunlight is scarce here in winter. Also this room tends to be warmish even with the A/C in summer, but a few degrees cooler than the 68F of the rest of the house in winter. After causing death by drowning of former cacti (RIP) I instituted my present watering system, which is that I check the weather in Phoenix AZ every day and when it rains there I give 2 tblsp of water to the cacti.

The thing is that, given climate change, Phoenix has been suffering extreme heat in recent years, causing damage and death to many Saguaro and other native plants. So, while my little cacti, if anything are not getting temperatures warm enough, they are at least protected from the current Arizona heatwave. But I wonder if they also are not getting the water that they need. With my past history, I'm reluctant to increase their water supply, but do you all think they need more?

View attachment 71228

View attachment 71229

The diorama in the foreground contains no living things. My plan B if the little cactus family on the windowsill die, is to turn their little pot into a similar lifeless habitat, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

Some of the cacti/succulents grow very slow. I planted some small ones and in 2 years they didn't even grow an inch. If you want a fast grower, try hens and chicks. They come in a variety of colors too and they also hang down.

 

[akroberts]

I planted these little guys from seed about 10 years ago and they seem ok but haven't grown much at all in the last 5 years. They are on a windowsill that gets a fair amount of sunlight in summer, but sunlight is scarce here in winter. Also this room tends to be warmish even with the A/C in summer, but a few degrees cooler than the 68F of the rest of the house in winter. After causing death by drowning of former cacti (RIP) I instituted my present watering system, which is that I check the weather in Phoenix AZ every day and when it rains there I give 2 tblsp of water to the cacti.

The thing is that, given climate change, Phoenix has been suffering extreme heat in recent years, causing damage and death to many Saguaro and other native plants. So, while my little cacti, if anything are not getting temperatures warm enough, they are at least protected from the current Arizona heatwave. But I wonder if they also are not getting the water that they need. With my past history, I'm reluctant to increase their water supply, but do you all think they need more?

View attachment 71228

View attachment 71229

The diorama in the foreground contains no living things. My plan B if the little cactus family on the windowsill die, is to turn their little pot into a similar lifeless habitat, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

You can also try making a make shift greenhouse dome. A 2 liter soda bottle could work. Only my advice not any knowledge.

 

[ducks4you]

I would look at the weather in the SW deserts. When it rains There, water your cactus. As long as your soil drains well I cannot believe that you'll drown them. They probably Do need more water than you have been giving them.

 

[ducks4you]

Don't Let Your Cacti Die This Winter—How to Keep Them Thriving All Season Long

Cacti aren't just for places with hot, dry weather all year round. Learn how to select and grow cacti that will thrive in some of the coldest hardiness zones.

www.thespruce.com

 

[SPedigrees]

I would look at the weather in the SW deserts. When it rains There, water your cactus.

That's what I do now, and have done for all their lives.

The problem is that cacti in the SW deserts are now suffering and dying due to climate change's extreme hot temperatures. I suspect that these SW deserts are also suffering from drought, since rainfall there has been few and far between for the past couple years.

So I'm not sure that using the current climate of their birthplace is the same good strategy that it would have been a decade ago..

 

[SPedigrees]

Some of the cacti/succulents grow very slow. I planted some small ones and in 2 years they didn't even grow an inch.

Maybe this is normal growth for them then. If they were suffering from lack of water, I wonder if I would know. Cacti can be hard to read!

 

[flowerbug]

I planted these little guys from seed about 10 years ago and they seem ok but haven't grown much at all in the last 5 years. They are on a windowsill that gets a fair amount of sunlight in summer, but sunlight is scarce here in winter. Also this room tends to be warmish even with the A/C in summer, but a few degrees cooler than the 68F of the rest of the house in winter. After causing death by drowning of former cacti (RIP) I instituted my present watering system, which is that I check the weather in Phoenix AZ every day and when it rains there I give 2 tblsp of water to the cacti.

The thing is that, given climate change, Phoenix has been suffering extreme heat in recent years, causing damage and death to many Saguaro and other native plants. So, while my little cacti, if anything are not getting temperatures warm enough, they are at least protected from the current Arizona heatwave. But I wonder if they also are not getting the water that they need. With my past history, I'm reluctant to increase their water supply, but do you all think they need more?

View attachment 71228

View attachment 71229

The diorama in the foreground contains no living things. My plan B if the little cactus family on the windowsill die, is to turn their little pot into a similar lifeless habitat, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

without a better pair of eyes and being there in person i can't really even tell if there is anything alive there or not. no statement about your caretaking or abilities, but i just can't see through the Cousin It hair of the one at all and maybe there is a bit of green in the other one but i can't be sure.

i would continue to water them about the same as you have and then this spring when the sun comes around some more water them a bit more and see how that goes. they may also respond to being repotted in some fresh cactus blend potting mix, i would also do that in the late winter right before spring.

 

[SPedigrees]

i can't really even tell if there is anything alive there or not.

They are certainly alive. I just don't know if what I'm doing is sufficient, or if I need to change the protocol in the interest of their health.

 

[SPedigrees]

his spring when the sun comes around some more water them a bit more and see how that goes.

Thanks. I may try this.