Joe, I am asking the same question since I no longer can store my cacti at work. First thing I am doing is to make an inventory of the plants I have and where they are native to in order to see what they take in the field. This way I can really see what I need for my plants. I may end up eliminating some of my plants if I only have a few that need special conditions.
Second, I started searching in the Cultivation sub forum to read what others have posted. I made a few notes for each. Not finished yet, but I can copy it in here. Some don't really apply, but others do.
Here is what I have so far:
Indoor Cacti Growing in Winter in Northeast US Zone 6b
Topic links in CactiGuide.com:
2018-10-6 Winter .... Indoor temps and Watering. viewtopic.php?p=352646&hilit=indoor+growing#p352646
Southern NJ Grower. “Of course the tropical cacti like Melocactus would probably like warmer temperatures in winter and some water.” DaveW.
2018-10-7 Over-wintering fluorescent setup and questions/help viewtopic.php?t=41775&hilit=indoor+growing
Overwintering setup indoors in Canada using fluorescent lights. ” Mammillaria and Astrophytum (also Gymnocalycium & Oreocerus trolli) are not likely to start growing if kept cool at about 15 - 20 C which are winter temps in Mexico. I wouldn't water any of these unless I wanted them to grow. Roots will be fine, thin ones may dry out but this happens in nature during dry periods too.” 7george
2019-1-12 Temperature for Opuntia Dormancy ?? viewtopic.php?p=355666&hilit=Temperatur ... 3F#p355666
CT area grower. Has very warm indoor conditions for dormancy. Not very informative for my questions.
2019-11-22 I’ve Moved My Plants Indoors Under lights for the Winter viewtopic.php?p=366767&hilit=indoor+growing#p366767
Growing plants indoors during winter outside in S. CA. 40F min
2021-1-20 LED Growing (artificial) light viewtopic.php?p=385122&hilit=indoor+growing#p385122
10,000 Lux at plants is shaded full sun.
Has link to light meter app for Android phone. Need good camera. Some doubts posted about ability of these apps to properly measure LED light vs Daylight or Fluorescent light.
2021-4-4 How dark is too dark for cacti dormancy? viewtopic.php?p=384916&hilit=indoor+growing#p384916
“Well, if temps stay below 10 - 12 C (50-54F) even full darkness is OK for winter months.” 7george
“I stored bare root dormant Sulcorebutia's and Rebutia's in a box under a table for a few months.” jerrytheplater. These were in a cool room maybe in 40-50F (4.5-10 C)
“You can winter them in the dark if kept cool and dry, but re-introduce them to sun gradually.” greenknight – Spence.
2021-4-10 Growing plants with artificial light. viewtopic.php?f=25&t=46163
Lux = Lumens/m^2
“Lumens are a measure of the total amount of visible light, lux is a measure of the light falling per unit area, i.e. lumens per square metre. If I have a 10,000 lumen light source and use all of that light to evenly illuminate 1 sq m, the light intensity will be 10,000 lux. (In a theoretical world with 100% perfect reflectors etc).
However, if I use all of the light from the 10,000 lumen light source to evenly illuminate 10sq metres, the light intensity will only be 1,000 lux.” esp-imaging
2021-6-10 Grow light distance according to lux or wattage viewtopic.php?p=387150&hilit=indoor+growing#p387150
Six 4’ T5HO lamps 20” above plants in a 2’x4’ growing area with white reflector boards surrounding gives 20,000 Lux, but generates 74F even with 4 computer fans for air movement. Same setup with an LED fixture at 28” gives 51,000 Lux and 84F at full power, not dimmed. Fixtures cost about $250-350.
