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Gardening Area => Growing questions and answers => Topic started by: The Clam on September 29, 2016, 12:13:19 AM
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How often should I water my T bridgesii, I heard it was prone to rot and would like to avoid that.
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It depends on the growing environment.
Are you growing indoors or outdoors, and what's your climate or growing setup like?
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Its indoor, the temp is about 68 to 78, the soil is cardboard, some bone meal, some egg shell, a LOT of sand (not mixed in as well as I would like it to be though) and a boiled and chopped banana. (I had no dirt what so ever so I had to improvise but my other plants seem to be doing well so im assuming I did good lol) and its growing in a cut in half vinegar bottle with holes I drilled.
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Yes, it depends. If you grow outdoors and it gets below freezing in the winter, it might go something like this... A month before cold weather arrives, stop watering at all. Only water during the growing season. If the ribs flatten noticeably, that would be an indication it needs watering. Rain might be all the watering it needs. Or you could water regularly, whenever the soil in the pot gets dry.
Considering your current conditions: I would put it in the sunniest window available, if you cannot put it outdoors. New growth will probably be etiolated (skinny) due to low light level. Personally, i would remove the cardboard and banana. In fact, sand might be fine by itself, although it will need some nutrients, either from fertilizer or some sort of compost. In a window year round, I might only water deeply once a month.
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I don't think I can take it out because I would have to uproot and strain the soil and it would be a huge hassle but il defiantly reduce the watering down to once a month
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You should make a grow log with some pictures. I'm interested to see how it's going to do.
Typically I water my cactus and succulents when the soil is bone dry. Touch the top of the soil (in your case growing medium) to feel the top of the soil and dig your index finger into the sand to feel if there is any moisture in there.
When there is a lot of sand you have a lot of aeration to those roots. Feel that growing medium. Also don't dribble water, always water your growing medium well. Water draining from the pot, growing medium moist. That's just rule of thumb
Considering your current conditions: I would put it in the sunniest window available, if you cannot put it outdoors. New growth will probably be etiolated (skinny) due to low light level. Personally, i would remove the cardboard and banana. In fact, sand might be fine by itself, although it will need some nutrients, either from fertilizer or some sort of compost. In a window year round, I might only water deeply once a month.
Like what planter said, get it in a window with bright direct and indirect sunlight sunlight, more direct if possible. Cacti don't need a whole lot of nutrient especially since the northern hemisphere is going into winter. Just some dirt from the ground outside with sand would be okay, large rocks too.
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I've had several bridgesii to rot. Since then, I added more sand and rocks to soil, and i put them where they won't get rained on. So far, no more rot.
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Alright, I actually have mine inside. my soil is about 70% sand 30% soil, it is play sand I think which is a bit finer than I would have liked but il have to see how it goes.
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First it is best to use a terracotta pot that will dry out quicker after watering .
Avoid plastic , glazed ceramics or glass, you want a porous material .
Make sure your Terracotta pot has a good drainage hole in bottom that's not blocked.
I use a cactus soil /Schultz brand . I add 50% perlite . some crushed limestone . and some Azmonite for trace minerals .
I grow in pots in zone 5A out doors in summer .our temps range from 110f to -20f.
I bring them indoors at night spring and fall when temps drop to 40s that's Fahrenheit .
During winters I stop watering a month before first freeze ,no water while they sleep!
They go into a dark cool/cold basement room to sleep threw winter .
When I water during summer I wait till the soil is dry ,then give a good drink .
Then I let soil become dry again .
light diluted fertilizer once or twice early summer .. easy does it ha
.
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Alright, I have mine in a cut out, 2 liter soda bottle (im gardening on a budget of 0$ lol) but in the future I would like to get it in something more clay like. Would you recommend watering in winter indoors? It stays around 60 to 70 where it is and gets a lot of overcast sunlight but im not sure if that's enough to consider watering.
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In the winter If the cactus are in a cold dark room no water .
if you have in a sunny window I would guess less water .
Often you can find used clay or terracotta pots at a garage sale or thrift store ..wash used pots really well .
Also big box stores or nurseries often have pots discounted in the fall or winter .
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Alright, well il have to see what I can find