1. No, there's no reason why it would be. Plants need water to growth and since cacti store water in their stems, they are more likely to grow horizontally (fatten out) if they are watered regularly.insipidtoast wrote:So, here's where I'd like to get your input:
Since they have never gone more than two weeks without water (most of the time, except maybe during the winter, they've received a nice drenching once per week), do you think dry conditions are their evolutionary trigger for horizontal growth?
I'm going to stop watering them for another week or two (it's already been at least one week) just to see how they respond. The spring growth rate on my plants is really starting to quicken now, so the effects of any cultural changes should manifest a lot quicker now. How do you think that will affect them? Will they go chlorotic? Start allocating more growth for basal girth? Wither away? Or what? I'm planning on selling a lot of these at the beginning of June for a fundraiser, so hopefully they start perfecting themselves.
2. Their growth rate might slow down a little, but it won't be detrimental to their health.
3. I doubt it. Chlorosis isn't very common in cacti and watering less won't effect induce it, as it's caused mainly by mineral and nitrogen deficiencies.
I've noticed that basal girth just tends to increase with age and it's generally quite a peculiar thing. Probably your best bet here is to use a heavier potting mix or a gravel collar or something to that effect.
). The first, what would be the signs of salt air effecting the plant surface or soil? Second, what are some signs that one would expect from growing a cactus at the wrong altitude? 
