- Joined
- Oct 30, 2010
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Recently, I bought some Opuntia ficus-indica rooted plants started in pots at a local farmer's market here in NY (6 rooted pads total)
I then went online and purchased some Opuntia cacanapa ellisiana pads (not yet rooted nor planted, 10 pads). When I received them their bases at which they had been cut were dried and calloused, and I let them sit in a ventilated, warm, dry area for a few more days.
They have all been potted two pads to a pot in 6" terra cotta pots on saucers with cactus potting soil mix.
I have been reading and watching videos on potting, propogating, and rooting cactus, yet there is not much info at all on growing them indoors. Perhaps it will fail miserably and rot or just not grow at all, but I believe I am seeing some progress on a daily basis at the tips of the pads where little buds are appearing.
When I was bringing one of the plants home from the market, one of the new pads growing off the older ones had been bent and was almost completely detached. So, I had been keeping the plant outside the tortoise table yet in contact with the light from the MVB. I left it and it has reattached itself and firmed up, and is continuing to grow!
I have since bought a grow light with 9 red LEDs and 3 blue LEDs. It is hanging above the potted cactus, about 18" above I'd estimate. I have it running about 8 hours a day right now ( I suppose it should be on longer). The temperature in my apartment is probably 68-72F at any given time.
Which do you all think would produce better growth? MVB bulb, red and blue LED grow light or something else?(feasible for indoors)
I will be posting photos, share with me if you have any experience growing opuntia of any variety indoors or in pots (outside included).
I then went online and purchased some Opuntia cacanapa ellisiana pads (not yet rooted nor planted, 10 pads). When I received them their bases at which they had been cut were dried and calloused, and I let them sit in a ventilated, warm, dry area for a few more days.
They have all been potted two pads to a pot in 6" terra cotta pots on saucers with cactus potting soil mix.
I have been reading and watching videos on potting, propogating, and rooting cactus, yet there is not much info at all on growing them indoors. Perhaps it will fail miserably and rot or just not grow at all, but I believe I am seeing some progress on a daily basis at the tips of the pads where little buds are appearing.
When I was bringing one of the plants home from the market, one of the new pads growing off the older ones had been bent and was almost completely detached. So, I had been keeping the plant outside the tortoise table yet in contact with the light from the MVB. I left it and it has reattached itself and firmed up, and is continuing to grow!
I have since bought a grow light with 9 red LEDs and 3 blue LEDs. It is hanging above the potted cactus, about 18" above I'd estimate. I have it running about 8 hours a day right now ( I suppose it should be on longer). The temperature in my apartment is probably 68-72F at any given time.
Which do you all think would produce better growth? MVB bulb, red and blue LED grow light or something else?(feasible for indoors)
I will be posting photos, share with me if you have any experience growing opuntia of any variety indoors or in pots (outside included).