Will my tiny cacti survive for 10 days on their own?
August 18, 2015 9:22 AM Subscribe
I have a bunch of cacti that I am growing from seeds, and will be leaving for a 10 day vacation. They will be OK on their own, right?
So far, I have three seedlings that are a few months old (example, with coin for scale), a couple that sprouted just last week and a bunch of pots that are covered in cling film and waiting to germinate. I have been spraying the seedlings with water every few days, and keeping the soil in the covered pots moist. All of this is on the inner side of a very sunny window sill. Weather this time of year is hot and dry - consistently above 35C/95F.
My plan is to spray everything one last time just before I leave and move the pots away from direct sunlight. Do you think they will be okay for about 10 days, or should I arrange for someone to come and spray them a couple of times in the meantime?
I was also thinking I might cover the seedling pots with cling film as well, to minimize evaporation - is that a good idea?
So far, I have three seedlings that are a few months old (example, with coin for scale), a couple that sprouted just last week and a bunch of pots that are covered in cling film and waiting to germinate. I have been spraying the seedlings with water every few days, and keeping the soil in the covered pots moist. All of this is on the inner side of a very sunny window sill. Weather this time of year is hot and dry - consistently above 35C/95F.
My plan is to spray everything one last time just before I leave and move the pots away from direct sunlight. Do you think they will be okay for about 10 days, or should I arrange for someone to come and spray them a couple of times in the meantime?
I was also thinking I might cover the seedling pots with cling film as well, to minimize evaporation - is that a good idea?
What about getting one of those glass bulb plant waterer things to keep the soil moist?
posted by Michele in California at 10:49 AM on August 18, 2015
posted by Michele in California at 10:49 AM on August 18, 2015
Definitely ask all your friends if they'd like to try cactus sitting.
Seriously, though. They're so tiny, they probably do need some nurturing.
posted by amtho at 11:59 AM on August 18, 2015
Seriously, though. They're so tiny, they probably do need some nurturing.
posted by amtho at 11:59 AM on August 18, 2015
Response by poster: So now I'm back, and it looks like baby cacti did OK on their own: I used the plastic bottle cloche on the seedlings, and just one of them looks like it could use some more water. The rest are looking great, in fact two of them have grown visibly.
(For the record, I was hesitant to arrange a cactus-sitter because I was worried about overwatering.)
posted by Dr Dracator at 12:02 PM on August 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
(For the record, I was hesitant to arrange a cactus-sitter because I was worried about overwatering.)
posted by Dr Dracator at 12:02 PM on August 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Gneisskate at 10:04 AM on August 18, 2015