New member question

[jarx34]

Hello friends
My name is Jake and I am new to the forum. I would like to start an adventure in growing cactus. I live in northern Poland. Weather April to September sunny warmest months June to August. I'm going to grow cacti on an outdoor windowsill facing south. I have a question, what cacti do you recommend for such a location of the collection, I care not to burn them. Regards and waiting for a reply

[DaveW]

Depends on your winter if you can grow them outside all year or if you will bring them indoors over winter?

You could contact the Polish Society for their advice.

https://en-gb.facebook.com/ptmklublin/about

https://en-gb.facebook.com/ptmklublin/

[anttisepp]

Hello Jake, greetings from the other side of Baltic sea.
According to perfect position you probably can grow all cacti you want. IMHO
Is there possibility to make a greenhouse outdoors?
The best results are in polycarbonate greenhouse, the larger the better. Overwintering in a cool dry place.

[ohugal]

I'm only growing cacti for a short period, but have found Parodia's to be very easy to care for. The same goes for some Mammilaria species, such as M. bocassana and M. elongata. I was growing them on a south facing windowsill until a year ago and they did fine. Cacti which were strugling were Cleistocactus and Pterocactus notably. I recently moved to a house with a garden and opted for a small greenhouse (81 x 151 x 100 cm). My experience is that growing begind glass on a windowsill limits the exposure to sunlight a lot. If your house is isolated (roof/facade/windows), rooms tends to hold heat for a very long time during warmer periods. I found that problematic. The upside is that in wintertime the temperature didn't drop below 8°C even with the heat turned off.
I'm interested to see where you would be growing your cacti.

[DaveW]

I was uncertain since I do not know his climate when Jake says "I'm going to grow cacti on an outdoor windowsill facing south." since I presumed he means outside all year and not on the windowsill inside the room?

[ohugal]

I wasn’t sure either. There is also an application called SunCal which you can use to see how much sun you get at a specific location.

[greenknight]

Echinocereus viridiflorus would be a good choice if you want cold-hardy cacti.

[FredBW]

There are several species of prickly pear/opuntia that are cold hardy. Just keep in mind not all varieties can take cold.
Not sure how big ebay is in Poland. But here in the states Cold hardy Opintia are easy to come by on there.
I believe Opuntia Humifusa might be the most popular one.

[jarx34]

Thanks for all answers
My collection will be situated on outdoor windowsil not at home. Temperatures from april till september are 20-35 celsius. Im intersted especially in Lobivia, Gymnocalycium, Parodia and Copiapoa species. Maybesomeone could write caring instructions for this cacti species like soil, light exposure, watering. I will be gratefull.

[jerrytheplater]

You have not mentioned your winter plans yet. They are very important to know.

[DaveW]

We can grow cacti outside in the UK for much of the year, but not in winter and even any cold hardy cacti would need shelter over them to keep them dry in winter when they are resting.

As a beginner I think this video may help you starting. You can then ask here and increase your knowledge as you go alomg.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ho ... &FORM=VIRE

The Desert Plants of Avalon videos are often helpful for beginners.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... +of+avalon

Copiapoa's might not be as easy as the others you mention, but Lobivia's and Rebutia/Aloystera are fairly easy. The problem in giving lists of plants is it depends what is available to you. Generally what is available in stores etc in your country are good starter plants to see what thrives for you. Also don't be discouraged if you loose the odd plant when starting. We all did and still do!

As to fertiliser, you will find in depth discussions on this Forum, but for a starter many just use Tomato fertiliser diluted to half strength since its lower in nitrogen.

[anttisepp]

OFFTOP 2 Jerry: I like the name of your town in NJ.

[jerrytheplater]

OFFTOP 2 Jerry: I like the name of your town in NJ.

Ha, Ha. Further OFF TOPIC: The Redbud trees (Cercis canadensis) are just about to finish. I really love those trees. They are grown as cultivated specimens and also wild in the woods at the edges of clearings. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org ... rcode=h550

Wisteria is blooming in yards and along woods edges.

Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern Red Columbine) is also blooming in pots in my yard. (https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org ... rcode=b400) Collected the seed in Maine at Wild Gardens of Acadia way back in 1984. My current ones are descendants of those seeds. Pretty sure I'm seeing them along the Hewitt-Butler trail in Norvin Green State Forest at the Otter Hole, but the Posts Brook there is flooded after 4-5" of rain last weekend and a week of drizzle afterwards. The plants look like they are underwater. Can't walk out as the stepping stones are submerged and there is a 10 foot slide over the waterfalls right next. The current would take me over. Not going to risk that. https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/hewittbutle ... otter-hole

Trout Lilies (Erythronium americanum) are just finishing up too. They've been blooming for a month or so. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythronium_americanum

Ramps (Yum Yum- I love to eat them) grow in similar habitat as Trout Lily- I always look around for Ramps when seeing Trout Lily. (Allium tricoccum var. tricoccum) https://www.wildedible.com/blog/foraging-ramps

[nachtkrabb]

Hello Jake, what did you decide: Why don't you post some pictures?
N.