It would be nice to see a closer photo of the one you say is dead or dying. I would just mention your soil might be too water retentive. I like to use clay pots, as they breathe, and I give my succulents as much sun as I can indoors, most directly in a south facing window.

Christopher

I try to get them losts of light but that isn't always possible

Plenty of bright light is crucial for good growth, honestly. Your Opuntia is already putting out etiolated growth.

Christopher

what is etiolated growth I am really worried I have to keep them in the basment but they are in the window what should I do

Etiolated growth is when plant is stretching, looking for some light. If not enough light, it ends up having very long stems, and leaves too far apart. Not at all as the succulents should look.

I keep my plants in the basement over the winter because of not enough space. But I use supplementary lights - fluorescent tubes and also some CFL bulbs. They need as much light as possible, basement window is just not enough.

I can run light all day there is a elctrisity bill you know would doing it at night help

I did that for same reason: the basement plants got 'reversed' lighting - timer was set on at 6:30pm and off at 7:30am. CFL bulbs and fluorescent tubes use less than regular incandescent light bulbs (23W CFL is equal to 100W incandescent).

Rina are you charged less for electricity used during the nighttime hours?

I feel like I've just been informed that I've been cheated my whole life.

I havr to give it to you Canadians...there are some things you just got "right" and it's so totally wrong here.

Time of use and smart electricity meters are a big improvement. If you change habits to do laundry / dishwasher / etc. at night you end up saving money. Otherwise you just end up paying a little more than normal.

The government saves a lot of money too because it evens out the electricity usage (peaks) and pricing.

Oh, they want to do that here but insist on putting a digital meter inside my house. (yes, INSIDE too!)

no, ty

mayo

I don't keep all of them in the basement, there are many upstairs to be enjoyed, by the windows. Basement was pretty packed, and so were 3 windows upstairs.

Rina

I think that's called diversifying, Rina.

So should I give them light at night or not?

Are you Canadian and/or have the power rate reduction at night?

Not diversifying...it's necessity.

joedidrichs

Succulents are plants that like lots of light. You have to decide if you can/want to give them extra light. But for best growing, it would be great benefit to succulents.

How much light is there in the basement you keep them, during the day? They need some 'sleep time' too, so I would not keep them in the window during the day and give them light whole night long.

Rina