Help with Discocactus

Discuss repotting, soil, lighting, fertilizing, watering, etc. in this category.
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Salazar
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Help with Discocactus

Post by Salazar »

Hello, I've recently purchased a Discocsctus bueneckeri
and I would like to ask the experienced members of this forum for their tips on how to care for this species since I've read that they're quite difficult to grow.

Thank you.
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Aiko
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by Aiko »

Salazar wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2018 10:06 am I've read that they're quite difficult to grow.
Yes, if you live in a cold country. I don't think that will apply to you.
They like heath / warmth, and probably very regularly some light watering (to avoid roots being dry for too long, even during dormancy) for as far as I know.
DaveW
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by DaveW »

JP grows those things like weeds. He has a warmer climate than I have in the UK though.

See:-

http://jp29.org/cultwp.htm
Salazar
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by Salazar »

Thank you both
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7george
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by 7george »

People say Discocsctus bueneckeri is the easiest in the genus. I have a mature plant and grow it like other small cacti and not exposing it to cold below 10 C, so far successfully.
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
Salazar
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by Salazar »

I've just potted it up after letting the roots dry for a day after cleaning them and I'd like to know when should I start giving it water?
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mdpillet
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by mdpillet »

Depends on your ambient conditions. Wait for a couple weeks. D. buenekeri is definitely one of the easiest in the genus, though I've yet to have problems with Discocactus in general (same as JP's climate). JP has reported that some species (D. placentiformis I think?) actually tolerate slight freezing, but I still keep all mine between 10 and 15 C.
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7george
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by 7george »

Wait ~3 days or a week before watering. In my conditions would be OK to keep it dry for month or two this time of the year. You can start with light watering and move to more profound ones after seeing of first signs of active growth.
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
Salazar
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by Salazar »

I thought Discocacti can't handle being dry for too long?
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7george
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by 7george »

I think they should. There is a dry period in Brazil, isn't it?

"Too long" for mature cacti is about 1 - 2 years. But it depends on temperature, sun exposure, size and cacti species of course.
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
Salazar
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by Salazar »

Aren't Discocacti like Melocacti in that they have similar care requierments?
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7george
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by 7george »

I don't think Melocacti are much more moist tolerant, rather they are more sensitive. But you may water your cactus every week or leave it outside under rains. It's up to you. :)
Aren't Discocacti like Melocacti in that they have similar care requierments?
Even different species in both genera would have little different requirements for water and if you are not quite sure about this better be more careful. Just look at you cactus and decide what it needs right now, nobody will know better than you. We even haven't seen a photo of it. 8)
If your cacti mess in your job just forget about the job.
°C = (°F - 32)/1.8
Salazar
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Re: Help with Discocactus

Post by Salazar »

So should I send a photo?
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