Watering Anacampseros alstonii

[Geri88]

I have recently acquired a young specimen grow from seed (about 2yo).
Would a "water when the stems start to droop a little bit" approach work?
When do you water yours?

[kohinoor]

when they are dry the scale will close up and stem turn white.
when given water scale will extend and show green leaf under it.
water when he turn white.

if you can still see green part then he don;t need water yet.
it can survive extensive dry and heat. no need to water too much.

[iann]

Stems drooping is not a sign of thirst. The stems naturally droop and then stand up in response to the conditions. The most noticeable case is when the flowering stems are ready to open or when the seed is ripe, then those stems stand up very straight.

If in doubt, don't water. Don't water unless the soil is completely dry. You are highly unlikely to cause them any harm by underwatering, but could kill them by overwatering. A small pot and gritty soil will let you water with less fear.

[Geri88]

If in doubt, don't water. Don't water unless the soil is completely dry. You are highly unlikely to cause them any harm by underwatering, but could kill them by overwatering. A small pot and gritty soil will let you water with less fear.

Thanks Iann. It is in a small pot (didn't want to overpot it) with gritty soil, which ironically makes it hard to tell if the soil is dry, because it already looks pretty dry soon after watering.

[iann]

Stems standing up ready to flower. Droopy stems at the front not ready to flower on that day. Bonsai dish is handy for the bigger ones which definitely shouldn't be over-potted.

[Geri88]

Stems standing up ready to flower. Droopy stems at the front not ready to flower on that day. Bonsai dish is handy for the bigger ones which definitely shouldn't be over-potted.
avonia-0911.jpg

Interesting.
Your potting mix looks pretty much like mine.

[jhb]

I've noticed small seedlings in my pot from last years seed pods which just did their own thing. Now trying to keep them going.

[Bob Sobelman]

from whati read don't water from November until march