Resting time for cacti
Resting time for cacti
Over the winter I plan to move all my cacti from outdoor to my basement, there is average temperature over winter about 5-10°C and it is complete dark, all the time! I will not water my cacti at all from november until mart. Is it ok? Can they survive in complete darknes?
-
templegatejohn
- Posts: 1198
- Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 2:57 pm
- Location: Leeds, England
Some species experience very dry winters and those dry winters are usually also quite cool, even cold. These species naturally become somewhat dormant in winter and adapt well to it in cultivation. Rebutia is a good example of a cactus that stores well in the dark for four months. Keep cool and dry and everything is good.
Other species experience year round rain and year round warmth. They are not so good at going dormant in the winter. They obviously won't grow much if you stick them in a box in the basement but they will suffer more for it, may lose their roots, will be reluctant to bounce back in the spring, etc. Notocactus can be considered in this category.
I haven't stored a wide variety of species completely in the dark, it will be interesting to see if any of them react to it badly. Watch out for anything smaller than a plum, it may not have the reserves for a long enforced dormancy.
Other species experience year round rain and year round warmth. They are not so good at going dormant in the winter. They obviously won't grow much if you stick them in a box in the basement but they will suffer more for it, may lose their roots, will be reluctant to bounce back in the spring, etc. Notocactus can be considered in this category.
I haven't stored a wide variety of species completely in the dark, it will be interesting to see if any of them react to it badly. Watch out for anything smaller than a plum, it may not have the reserves for a long enforced dormancy.