Stop watering! I stopped watering weeks ago already. Especially those that stay unprotected (from the frost) in the greenhouse for the whole of winter. They should not be too plumped up, which is only a risk for them when it freezes.
Only small (one year old) seedlings you might still be watering (but just a bit) every month or so. Just a light splash. Bigger plants (say, bigger than about one centimeter) you can safely keep dry for many months, so keep them dry until late March.
Regarding repotting, that is still okay. There are many different opinions on this forum on this. Some repot in winter, others in summer only. I personally don't think it matters much.
I agree with Aiko's comments regarding watering, although it does depend to some extent on where your cacti are sited. If in a greenhouse that gets a lot of sun you can water a bit longer than one that is more shaded. That said, I wouldn't water at all after mid-October, except for the odd splash for species that lose their roots if they get too dry (eg Notocactus (Parodia) leninghausii).
As regards repotting/potting-on, I do this whenever is convenient but if in the non-growing period I use a dry mix.
Rod Smith
Growing a mixed collection of cacti & other succulents; mainly smaller species with a current emphasis on lithops & conophytum.
rodsmith wrote:... I wouldn't water at all after mid-October, except for the odd splash ...
As regards repotting/potting-on, I do this whenever is convenient but if in the non-growing period I use a dry mix.
Agreed, but this year (in Kent UK) I have given everything a darn good watering during this last week, as things were looking so dry after a warm, sunny autumn. Now they can dry out again, I hope!
Yes, I do more of my repotting and potting on from November to March, when I have much more time to spare, with as dry a mix as I can.
Tony Roberts
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
Moderator, BCSS Forum
Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
They actually haven't been watered for about a month now so are dry. If it was summer, I would have given them some water at this point.
As to location, they are currently on my kitchen windowsill, where they get a burst of any sunshine in the late afternoon. I am expecting that as winter draws in, I may have to move them if the windows here condense overnight- currently an unknown quantity as I moved here in April and it is an upstairs flat that I am in. Neither do I have the place heated much.
My notocactus leninghausii may then need his potting on and a little water. I can't wait to extricate him from that peat based rubbish!
Leandra wrote:
As to location, they are currently on my kitchen windowsill, where they get a burst of any sunshine in the late afternoon. I am expecting that as winter draws in, I may have to move them if the windows here condense overnight- currently an unknown quantity as I moved here in April and it is an upstairs flat that I am in. Neither do I have the place heated much.
Considering you are keeping them indoors I assume you will have central heating on and they are not going to be able to go dormant and will keep trying to grow.
In that case you might want to continue watering them once a month... just watch out for lack of sunlight.
Happy to be corrected by others because I am learning forever
FaeLLe wrote:
In that case you might want to continue watering them once a month... just watch out for lack of sunlight.
Happy to be corrected by others because I am learning forever
Watering when they are warm, is dangerous regarding etiolation. Water + warmth == growth. Growth is risky if you cannot provide light intensity at the same time. You might like to keep them dry, assuming the size of the plant can take a long warm dormancy. Better to just place the plants in a coo and frost free place. Just as long as you don't water them, a dark place will be just as fine. Isn't there a unheated room you can keep them for the winter?
Yes, I do have an unheated room- the whole flat most of the time actually as I am out most days and only have heating on a little in the evenings before bed but not overnight! The kitchen doesn't really get hot either as I don't do any major cooking in it- no time!
I do have one room I never heat so I could probably move them there.
Whilst it's nominally late to water, the current warm spell will allow the application of pesticides, either by spray or even drenching in case of root mealies. It's a good time of year to deal with mealies and spider mite. I've done this often without causing problems and intend to do it tomorrow.
as I am out most days and only have heating on a little in the evenings before bed but not overnight! The kitchen doesn't really get hot either as I don't do any major cooking in it- no time! 