Things to Do – May

By Barbara Rengers

Certain activities regarding growing plants and other aspects of the succulent hobby tend to recur at about the same time every year. Here are some reminders for things to address in May.

1. Plants show increasing amounts of growth. Flowering is seen on mammillarias, lobivias and rebutias. With higher temperatures, increasing amounts of water will be necessary.
2. Non-flowering cacti should be given an adequate supply of water about the end of May. Flowering plants need it even earlier.
3. Continue repotting.
4. Grafting can be done because rootstocks are growing. This is also the time to take cuttings.
5. Seeds can be sown without artificial soil heating. Keep seed pans in bright light but not full sun. Do not allow them to dry out completely during the time of germination.
6. Less-sensitive cacti such as opuntias, cereus and echinopsis can stay outdoors in light shade all day long.