Anyone know why it’s getting skinny from top down? Was or...
5
Best Answer
@GladMaypop18 Welcome to the Greg community! And I agree with @itsjordan and @FourstarCosmo76 . When an Echinopsis cactus grows skinny from the top down, it's a sign of etiolation, meaning the plant is stretching towards light due to insufficient light exposure. Here's a more detailed explanation:
Etiolation:
Etiolation is a plant's natural response to a lack of light, causing it to elongate and become spindly.
Causes:
Insufficient Light: Cacti, like other plants, need adequate sunlight to photosynthesize and grow properly.
Poor Overwintering: If a cactus is kept in a dark or poorly lit location during the winter, it can become etiolated. Symptoms:
Longer, weaker stems: The cactus will grow tall and thin instead of its normal, robust form.
Paler color: Etiolated cacti often appear paler than healthy ones.
Smaller leaves/spines: The leaves or spines may be smaller and less developed.
Longer internodes: The distance between the points where new growth emerges (internodes) will be longer.
Solutions:
Provide More Light: Move the cactus to a brighter location, ideally with direct sunlight.
Wait for New Growth: The newest growth may de-etiolate (become more compact) as it receives more light.
Beheading and Re-rooting: In severe cases, you can cut the etiolated cactus above the point where it starts to grow normally and re-root the cutting. Hope this helps. Happy Growing!!
Etiolation:
Etiolation is a plant's natural response to a lack of light, causing it to elongate and become spindly.
Causes:
Insufficient Light: Cacti, like other plants, need adequate sunlight to photosynthesize and grow properly.
Poor Overwintering: If a cactus is kept in a dark or poorly lit location during the winter, it can become etiolated. Symptoms:
Longer, weaker stems: The cactus will grow tall and thin instead of its normal, robust form.
Paler color: Etiolated cacti often appear paler than healthy ones.
Smaller leaves/spines: The leaves or spines may be smaller and less developed.
Longer internodes: The distance between the points where new growth emerges (internodes) will be longer.
Solutions:
Provide More Light: Move the cactus to a brighter location, ideally with direct sunlight.
Wait for New Growth: The newest growth may de-etiolate (become more compact) as it receives more light.
Beheading and Re-rooting: In severe cases, you can cut the etiolated cactus above the point where it starts to grow normally and re-root the cutting. Hope this helps. Happy Growing!!
Thanks everyone! Here in Southern Arizona the struggle is getting them enough sun without cooking them. These non-native cacti are pretty but are new to me. These nursery had them outdoors but under a semi translucent shade tarp. @Ms.Persnickety I appreciate the great detail! It hasn’t grown at all since only a few weeks old, but the tips have started to bend towards the light source.
@GladMaypop18 This is so cool! I appreciate you recognizing my efforts to help by marking my answer “Best “ Thank you so much, you’ve made my day 👏👏👍👍