International Water Your Cacti- day

My houseplant cacti and succulents were last watered on 1st November and today it's the day to water them again (and wipe the floor, bone dry compost takes some time to re- hydrate)

It's amazing to see that a lot of new growth has happened during the winter dormancy, my roadkill Opuntia has grown pups (ignore the cobwebs please) and the remains of rotten Microdasys is sprouting new growth.

Succulents are very wrinkly but they should be fine.



Solanum seedlings are doing well. Considering that the plant is poisonous, will grow large and has vicious spikes even on the leaves I slightly wonder if it was a good idea to try it as a houseplant. Well, I have 5 sturdy seedlings so perhaps they will make nice Christmas presents. I'm thinking of the neighbour with unruly bullterrier and friends.

 

Is that Solanum quitoense @Selleri ?

They are lethal when they get big, there is a spineless version, but I suppose that would spoil the fun.
I've never managed to get ripe fruit.

 

I don't think you can say all cacti everywhere should be watered at any specific time, it depends on so many things.
When I over-wintered mine in a heated conservatory I'd water them a few times during a mild winter, but this year they're in a cold greenhouse, and since we've had a colder winter than normal I won't be watering them for some time yet.

I've never seen a Solanum like that, I hope your neighbours will like their gift

 

Yes @pete it's Quitoense and it's your fault, you gave the link to that whatever tropical seeds website last year.

@Michael Hewett , cacti are the only plants that have a watering schedule in my house (the others go by push-finger-into-compost- method or by how they look). Because I can't give my cacti a cool winter break (the family and the Degus object to my suggestion of lowering the living room temperature to 5C for the winter ) I convince myself that dryness will give them some sense of seasons. If I don't have penned in dates I'll accidentally water them when walking past.

To be honest, I have not seen any difference since the draught schedule plan began some decades ago, but at least it saves on the water bill Leafy cacti and young seedlings get some water throughout the winter though.

 

Quite a few houseplants have a level of toxicity.
the trick is to NOT EAT THE HOUSEPLANTS!

 

If you can get the Solanum out into full sun during the summer the purple veining on the leaves will look brilliant.
And the spines will get harder.

 

That's as I said, it depends on the circumstances