I posted this question on another gardening question and answer site. Do desert cacti need a dormant cycle to remain healthy. I am not talking about needing it to flower. Do they need it to stay healthy.
Based on my current growing conditions, I am trying to decided what succulents if any need a dormant period to remain healthy. I have read many articles on gardening site, they will make the statement that such and such succulent needs a dormant period to remain healthy, but I have yet to come across a scientific paper that backs up any of these words.
So I posted the question about desert cacti. I know many of them need dormancy to flower, but do they actually need this dormant period or just something they have adapted to survive. I used desert cactus because they all seem to have at least some dormant cycle, whether it is the heat of summer, or the Opuntia living in Zone 3 in Canada or Minnesota. My instinct tells me in the case of the Opuntia they will need it, becuase they are not adapted to live any other way. it's not like they ever have a choice.
As the article points out, many of the succulents you buy at the store have never seen a dormant cycle until you bring them home. So maybe they don't.
I like this article. It does not answer the question, but it is well written.
I know I have a few succulents that have never had a forced or imposed dormant period, but have probably taken some short ones, when I have been not watering enough in summer.
Enough of me writing here is the link;
https://www.sublimesucculents....
