Cactus care

My plants have not been watered since probably oct/ Nov.
When do I start watering again?
It seems so hard not to water them! It goes against my gardening instinct
One has flowered beautifully already.
I know they need a dry winter but when do I start watering?
The soil isn't soil anymore, it's dust!
4 of them, my eldest and I raised from seed, and as I'm stupidly sentimental I don't want to lose them
Please advise

 

Mine and my eldests seed sown cacti!
You can see why we don't want to lose them.
Probably Ten years since we sowed them!

 

Beautiful!!!

Whilst @pete is finishing his tea, I'll humbly put my overenthusiastic foot in if I may.

If they get enough light, and the temperature is now rising, I'd personally give them their spring drink now. The Torture Treatment of winter rest in low temperature and strictly no water will encourage flowers, but if you just want them as house plants and they are kept at room temperature, some water might be needed even in winter if the stems start to shrivel. Not sure if the lower parts should look like this, or if they are showing signs of thirst...?



The pots may be a bit on the larger side, which can mean that the soil stays moist for longer than the roots would prefer. I try to balance this problem by mixing plenty of sand and gravel into the compost (about half compost and half sand/ gravel). It also makes the pots heavier which helps when the Beauties want to topple over.

Thanks for the photos @Loki, very inspiring What a brilliant journey to follow a plant from a tiny seed to this... and onwards. Slowly, slowly... this is a process that can't be hurried up.


I'll share my seedling pics in a decade or so.

 

Thanks @Selleri
I tend to agree about the pot size, I didn't have anything smaller
They are just in multipurpose, I might have to change that
They are on a south facing window in a unheated kitchen, as for watering, this year is the first time I haven't watered all winter, it felt cruel I think I'll give them a drink now
You're right about them being slow, I think it was 3/4 years before they where big enough to prick out
My youngest son is the proud owner of the flowering one and 2 others, from a garden centre ( I don't think I've got the patience for more seeds )

 

I'm coming right behind you @Loki

 

@Selleri , sooo cute Youve got a lovely display there Do I remember reading you made those pots yourself? They look great! If you did, would you mind sharing how you made them?

 

lo studio delle cactacee nel loro habitat | cactusinhabitat

Take a look at these pics.! Click 'English' at bottom of home page , then A & M at top right for stunning images of cacti in their native environment .
Enjoy !

 

Thank you @Loki

Here's my search of the sealant topic which has some more pics. The clay is just air dry clay, Hobbycraft and Amazon have it.

First I tried to make tall, slim pots by shaping the clay over glasses, but they were too thin and cracked. Thick, bun like shapes turned out to be the best. Once dry, I sanded them to remove lumps and bumps, painted with a tester pot of wall paint and ModPodged.

Working with clay is oddly satisfying, it feels and smells great. The Teenager enjoyed making small animals and charms