Is this etiolation or just new growth?
Posted Jan 31, 2019, 4:38 AM UTC
514
Not really etiolation
A smaller root system from a cutting will result in skinnier growth.
Cuttings are best taken just before the plant comes out of dormancy to avoid this slightly
3
It doesn't look etiolated to me. It is a little skinnier but that is normal with a cutting. The distance between spikes seems to be mostly consistent.
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Rooted this cutting about a month ago and I've been watering it about twice/week since. I thought pachanoi could take a lot of watering but now I'm not sure I understood that correctly.
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I agree that it looks like the earliest stages of etiolation. You can kind of see where the new growth looks like it’s going to be skinnier. I don’t know much about this, but I’ve heard the red+blue+uv grow lights don’t really work very well. A better bulb is a 6500K cfl, apparently, because it’s got the same spectrum as natural sunlight. But here I am using the red/blue/uv bulb. Is it winter in your region? I would suggest arresting all water and putting it dormant until you can move it outside.
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Yeah, it's winter. I think I'm in zone 7b. How late should I wait to put it outside? I've heard Pachanoi are cold-tolerant, but I'm not sure what that means in cactus terms
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Every spring I watch the weather and as soon as the forecast says it’s going to stay above 40° at night, I move all of them out to a bright, shady area, then once they’ve lived outside for a couple weeks, I’ll give them their first water, then I’ll move the appropriate species to an area with more direct sun. You just have to watch the weather forecasts and move when Mother Nature allows for it. But that won’t be until March or April. Until then you can keep the light on him, but maybe only leave it on for 8-10 hours a day, and stop watering, that’s all!
Edit: oh and Pachanoi can be mildly cold tolerant, meaning their natural environment will slip below freezing temperatures every once in a while, but their roots cannot be wet when they meet these temps, that is what will kill them. With bone dry soil, I estimate one could go to about 20°F for a couple nights with no damage.
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What happens with cuttings is that they start off with a weak root system so early growth is often thinner until the root system gets stronger.
I don't do indoor cactus so I can't help you beyond that.
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Eleation means it’s stretching for light so I think it’s new growth judging by the grow light
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Is that LER? The vibrant green just means that it is growing. Pale green would mean etiolation. It probably doesn’t need to be watered twice a week while growing indoors. Let the top couple of inches dry between watering then give it a thorough soak. Like previously mentioned, it’s going to grow thinner than the main body until the roots catch up. Also, you’ll never get it to grow that fat in synthetic lighting. You need the power of the sun.
Yep, it's LER. Good eye.
I'm just keeping it inside under the LEDs while it's chilly outside, but I'm not sure the lighting situation on my balcony is so much better.
Thank you. What direction does your balcony face?
southeastish, I think. I can get some "direct" sunlight, but only a couple hours on a good morning (2-3). There's a great deal of tree cover as well
I think it will grow fairly well in that amount of light. It’ll at least be better than what an led grow light can do. Best of luck