Cacti Advice

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eek_a_mouse Hampton, NJ Dec 09, 2010

I need some help/advice on my little cactus here. The one I am immediately concerned about is the one to the far right in the picture. I plucked this guy from the ground in the southern nj coast area. The growth rate has been very fast but as you can see, spindly. My apt doesnt have the proper light conditions at all (north facing windows) coupled with a large Norway spruce which partially blocks sunlight as well. I put in a plant light (about 2 weeks ago) to attempt to get them to grow fuller and rounder and now the one to the far right is turning yellow quick (started 2 days ago). Whats going on here? Sun(light) scorch? The light was not VERY close, about 3 feet away. For now ive moved the cacti back a bit and behind some other plants for protection.

Thanks in advance, eek.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Dec 09, 2010

A plant light that's 3 ft away is too far away to really do the plant any good, and definitely it won't scorch the plant. For best results, you need the plant light very close to the plants, otherwise the light intensity that reaches the plant is very low and doesn't really help you much. Since it's a cactus the first thing I'd check is overwatering, and if it's not that then secondly I'd check whether it's getting a cold draft from the window, or has a heating vent blowing directly on it.

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Dec 13, 2010

Agree with everything Ecrane has passed on, the tall straggly growth is an indication the plant is searching for light, give the stem a firm but gentle squeeze to check there is no mushy parts to indicate too much watering, but better still, remove plant from pot, look at the soil and see if you would like to be standing in that, either too wet or too dry, also there is Cacti compost you can buy in small bags from garden center where all food and proper mixture are ready done, when I water mine here in UK, I give the pot a good soak by sitting pot in bucket (Shallow) of water for an hour or so, them remove and let the water drain away before placing plant back into light, remember Ecranes point about drafts or cool air blowing on plants, where I am, it is winter and freezing temps, so plants are removed from window area and placed in as much light as possible, also indoors every now and then a misting will keep dust off the plants which helps light to harden off the new growth. Hope this all helps, good luck. WeeNel.

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