Ariocarpus general care

[sechjoh]

Hello all.

I take care of some Ariocarpus and need advice.

1. Is it essential to keep them cold in winter? If yes, how cold?
2. The Ariocarpus are late bloomers so in what temperature do they use to flower? Should I wait with the cold temp until they finish frowering?
3. What about watering? Should I stop watering them at the same time as all other cacti?
4. Any another tips and tricks

All help are appreciated

[Phil White]

Hi Christer.

1/ Not essential but they can tolerate to freezing (0 DegC) if dry but better to 4 or 5 to be safe.
2/ Again similar to 1/ but as always the warmer/sunnier the beter for plants/flowers.
3/ Again if sunnier they can be watered a bit longer but only lightly, I watered all my plants yesterday.
4/See note below but Ariocarpus in the main growing period like LOTS of sun & water when they will grow well but as soon as this changes so does the watering/feeding.


A point to note on 1 & 2 is the humidity rather than the temperature as they can rot quite easily during/after flowwer if mositure can get in.

HTH

[sechjoh]

Phil White Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 1/ Not essential but they can tolerate to freezing
> (0 DegC) if dry but better to 4 or 5 to be safe.

Thanks for the answer.

So if I understand it right, I can keep them in a temperature around 17°C all winter and they still make flowers? Should I still keep the watering at a low level?

[Peter B]

17 is rather high for a resting period. What about light levels and length of daylight. Mine have been kept at an average 10 degrees through an english winter but I don't get enough direct sun in winter due to surrounding trees and the steep rise of the back garden. They are reluctant to flower prolifically.

Peter B Manchester Branch

[iann]

1. Doesn't seem to be. Flowering is on the new areoles produced during that summer so no surprise that the previous winter is not important. Some Ariocarpus species can take a considerable amount of frost. I don't know about all species, I don't have them all.
2. Flowering seems to be induced by a combination of longer and cooler nights. Hard to separate the two and I don't have enough experience to give details.
3. Ariocarpus are very well adapted to long periods of drought. If in doubt, don't water them. They can certainly go completely dry through six months of cool dull European winter without any visible sign of stress.
4. Enjoy

[sechjoh]

iann Wrote:
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> 1. Doesn't seem to be. Flowering is on the new
> areoles produced during that summer so no surprise
> that the previous winter is not important. Some
> Ariocarpus species can take a considerable amount
> of frost. I don't know about all species, I don't
> have them all.
> 2. Flowering seems to be induced by a combination
> of longer and cooler nights. Hard to separate the
> two and I don't have enough experience to give
> details.
> 3. Ariocarpus are very well adapted to long
> periods of drought. If in doubt, don't water
> them. They can certainly go completely dry
> through six months of cool dull European winter
> without any visible sign of stress.
> 4. Enjoy

Thanks iann

Now I have some different answers, but I appreciate all help I can get. We'll see if I can get them to flower.