ASTROPHYTUM ORNATUM

Prospector · Post by **Prospector** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 6:27 pm

All my cactus grew this year, except my Astrophytum Ornatum's.
They have not grown a bit. They are solid and healthy. All spines are strong and solid. Body is firm on both of them.
I feed them once a month, and watered when dry.

Am I missing something?
Does anyone have any advice for next season.

Thanks

Frank

Bill in SC · Post by **Bill in SC** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 6:41 pm

Astros are hard to judge. They grow so ever slowly. I have had many I would swear never grow, yet I have to periodically repot them to a larger size pot. I have one (A ornatum) that I would swear has gotten smaller since I planted it! Yet, I know that it must be growing. Remember, NO water during winter for them!
Bill in SC

iann · Post by **iann** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:01 pm

Full blazing sun and they like it hot. And a surprising amount of water in summer. But dry when it isn't warm and sunny. Also very cold hardy if you can keep them dry enough.

Franj · Post by **Franj** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:52 pm

I agree, mine get full sun for several hours a day, and lots of water in summer. I have one in my garden that is almost a foot tall, but took 15 years to get there. Once flowering size though they flower off and on all summer for me.

Franj

Post by **daiv** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:48 am

The Washington climate is probably working against you on that one Frank.

Prospector · Post by **Prospector** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:27 pm

Thanks to everyone for your in-put and advice.
This summer was hotter than normal with 30% more sunny days, and the average temp has been 4 degrees above normal.
I even had to buy a screen to filter the sun on my smaller green house.

Thanks again.

Frank