Moving soon, north facing only :(

[tudedude]

Hi,

I'm moving soon and I might be stuck with only a north facing balcony. Are my plants doomed to irregular growth? I'd hate to see that happen to some of my specimens. I might have to put them up for adoption. Are there any species that wont etoiliate in a north facing shaded environment? How will my turbs, stombocatus disciformis, pelecyphora, ariocarpus, and astrophytums do in shade?

[DaveW]

You may still have a higher light intensity facing north in San Diego than we do most of the year in the UK. Plants grow towards the brightest light no matter what direction it comes from. As long as the light intensity is strong enough they should not etiolate. When you say shaded do you mean the balcony will also be shaded as well, rather than in direct unrestricted north light?

The epiphytic cacti would do OK there too.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/55652457/The- ... ytic-Cacti" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tudedude]

When you say shaded do you mean the balcony will also be shaded as well, rather than in direct unrestricted north light?

The epiphytic cacti would do OK there too.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/55652457/The- ... ytic-Cacti" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The balcony has a ceiling and a wall to the west. The north and east directions are unobstructed.

[gemhunter178]

You can always supplement more light with a grow light of sorts....
Also, Ariocarpi, at least at it's younger stages, doesn't mind a little bit of shade.

[tudedude]

So I decided not to make an offer on this place. Found out that it's located next to a crack house, lol. Still most of the buildings I'm looking at have limited balcony areas for plants.

[DaveW]

Maybe not as good as a greenhouse, but it's surprising how many plants you can get on a balcony if you try:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvpxXAJgA3A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvFmgJ4lE7w" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.cactus-art.biz/miscellaneous ... _Posea.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.post-gazette.com/life/garden ... 1211240193" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tudedude]

cool thanks for the links, not all hope is lost!

[tudedude]

Yay, I found a place with a south facing balcony. It's a small balcony so I'll have to cut down on the collection, but at least I can keep my favorites!

[DaveW]

Hang a window box/s on the outside of the balcony rail as well?

http://www.revolution-saglac.com/garden ... boxes.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adjustable-Balc ... B00854FM4C" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.gardenista.com/posts/10-easy ... x-brackets" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tudedude]

Looks neat, I am not sure if the home owners association will allow something like that though. Well maybe I could hang it inward instead of outward over the sidewalk. There's an eatery right below too, I have to be careful not to fertilize the patrons while I feed the plants, lol.