Cacti grow in the desert under the sun among the sands. A water shortage does not mean that they are not getting any water at all. Wild cacti extract moisture from their roots and accumulate it in the fleshy base. It is preserved due to the absence of leaves, instead of which thorns grow. Additionally, a special pathway of photosynthesis helps the plant survive. Domestic inhabitants are hybrid varieties of wild cacti. They are similar to their relatives, but, like all house flowers, they require water. Any novice gardener should know how often to water a cactus in order for it to develop and bloom.
Features and rules for watering cactus
Regardless of the purpose for which you bought a cactus - growing a large number, decorating a windowsill with a couple of flowerpots, or as a gift to a loved one - you need to remember the rules of care and watering. It is a competent strategy and systematic approach that will ensure active growth, flowering and the appearance of new shoots for further replanting.
Cacti on the windowsill
It is necessary to be especially careful when watering succulents of flowering varieties, since a lack or excess of moisture can negatively affect the timely appearance of a healthy bud.
When choosing succulents as a home plant, you should not take them lightly and turn a blind eye to the rules of watering. Using the wrong water, excess fertilizer or incorrect watering techniques can cause the plant to die in a short time.
Comfortable temperature for cacti
Speaking about comfortable temperatures for cacti, we again remember their homeland. So during the active phase of the growing season - growth and flowering, your plants should be very warm, ideally from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.
And in autumn and winter, our “sleeping” cacti need less heat; +10 or +15 degrees will be enough. Some varieties are frost-resistant and are not at all afraid of the cold and can even tolerate light frosts.
How often to water
The frequency of watering a home cactus directly depends on many factors. The most important of them are described below.
Plant type
Astrophytum cactus: options for different types and examples of care at home
The seller must tell you about this and also provide instructions for caring for a specific variety. For example, if the future pet was brought from the desert, it will not be too whimsical and water-loving. Such plants need minimal irrigation once a week or a week and a half, and even then only in the hot summer.
Important! Succulents brought from the tropics love high humidity, so they need more frequent watering in both winter and summer.
There is nothing simpler than instructions on how to water Decembrist or prickly pear - they are not afraid of water in any quantity. Mammillaria is the same unpretentious plant.
Succulent placement
If you place a plant at home on a window located on the sunny side, or next to a powerful battery, heater, computer or laptop ventilation, it will require more moisture. In cooler and less lit areas, water less often and less frequently.
Pot material
Even such a minor detail affects the frequency. Ceramic and clay pots slightly promote moisture absorption, so more frequent and intense watering will be needed. There are much fewer problems with plastic and glass dishes.
Age of cactus
If the plant is very young, it spends more nutrients from water and substrate for its development and flowering. Therefore, it needs more moisture than its older brothers.
Different types of cactus need different frequency of watering
Life cycle
When the plant begins its growing season, that is, it actively begins to grow, and the ovary appears in flowering varieties, you need to prepare for frequent watering. This is usually the period from late spring to late autumn.
Due to the relocation of a succulent to a different environment, its natural cycle may be disrupted, and the growing season begins in winter. The change in behavior must be carefully monitored so as not to leave the plant without moisture, which is vital at this time.
Substrate condition
This is a separate and very important issue when growing a healthy and strong cactus, since most of the so-called universal store-bought substrates actually contain a lot of components that are dangerous to the plant. Sometimes the quality of the soil simply leaves much to be desired: a solid mass of peat does not deliver water to the roots, and a lot of loose sand or clay, on the contrary, leads to their rotting.
Attention! Watering the cactus and its frequency also depends on the quality of the water and the additives in it. It may be necessary to observe the moisture absorption and condition of the succulent for some time to determine the optimal frequency.
How to care
Cacti have three periods, which alternately replace one another: flowering, dormancy and growth. They don't grow fast. If you decide to keep such a plant, you should find out in advance what parameters it needs.
Location
Different species have lighting preferences. Those whose homeland is the desert (Echinopsis, Gymnocalycium) love a lot of light. It is better to place them on window sills.
Representatives of forest flora (epiphyllum, zygocactus, decembrist) are accustomed to darker areas. It is better to place them on windows on the east or north side. When there is too much light, life cycles are disrupted.
The soil
Each type of cactus has its own requirements for the soil. All representatives of the species need soil that allows air and moisture to pass through well. The soil should not become compacted over time and remain loose. Most specimens like slightly acidic soil.
Capacity
Spiny plants should not grow in large containers. Pots are selected according to the size of the rhizome and aerial parts.
Temperature
Cacti are a type of plant that tolerates temperature changes well. Despite their love of warmth, they grow well in cool rooms. However, you should not place the pot near radiators, where the air is very dry.
All members of the species are adversely affected by frequent changes of location. There is no need to rotate the pot around its axis. If there are a large number of them, it is convenient to keep them on one stand or pallet.
What water to water a cactus
Ideally clean water in the modern world, especially in megacities, is a legend. Most houseplants adapt over time and respond well to regular tap water. But succulents, due to the characteristics of their origin, react painfully to poor chemical composition of water. How can you improve performance and make the watering process easier?
How to water aloe: frequency and options at home
The best way is to use collected rain or melt water. But this option requires too much effort and patience, so it is not suitable for everyone. A simpler idea is to boil and cool water to reduce its hardness and pH level. This way you can avoid alkalization of the soil and the negative effect of water on the root system when watering cacti.
Note! If you don’t have any time to manipulate water, you can use regular household filters or fill a container and let it sit for 2-3 days before watering.
To improve the quality of water and fertilizing, you can use the following means:
- oxalic or nitric acid (don’t forget to let it settle and drain off the sediment);
- succinic acid (only a one percent solution is suitable);
- diluted peat;
- vinegar 9% (no more than a teaspoon per five-liter container).
Common mistakes in growing cacti
Now, let's look at the most common mistakes we make when growing indoor cacti. Mistake number 1 is excessive or frequent watering, especially during the autumn and winter periods of their “hibernation”. Too much moisture can lead to rotting of the cactus at the roots and tops of the plant.
The second mistake, so to speak, is the lack of lighting during the growing season. Cacti are very light-loving plants. Choose the location for the pot carefully - we remind you that in spring and summer they should be in the sun 8 hours a day.
The third problem can be directly related to the first - diseases such as mites or mealybugs can appear on your prickly pets precisely because of too much watering.
We are convinced that proper care of indoor plants such as cacti is not at all difficult. They are modest in their requirements and are perfect for those who want to add living greenery to their home, but cannot devote too much attention or time to them. So, careful watering, a sunny place and feeding regime will help us achieve good success in the prickly, but so cute floriculture. I have already shared with you the basics of caring for lithops; in some ways they are very close to our today’s heroes.
Water temperature
How to replant a cactus: options at home
Everything here is relatively simple: under no circumstances should you water succulents with cold water. It should be room temperature, and ideally a little warmer than the air temperature. Cold and excess moisture are the two main enemies of your plant; cacti get sick and die from them.
In healthy cacti, the soil is always slightly dry
How do cacti reproduce?
Cactus can be propagated vegetatively or using seeds.
How to grow cacti from seeds at home?
To grow cactus from seeds, it is better to use seeds from the store, since at home, due to cross-pollination, related specimens are crossed.
In order to grow cacti from seeds at home, you need to be patient and put in a lot of effort.
- Cactus seeds are disinfected in a solution with manganese.
- The substrate is poured in a layer of 1-2 cm, moistened and the seeds are laid on top. Then they are covered with a film or wall.
- Air the cactus seeds 1-2 times a day and keep the soil mixture moist.
- After the first spines appear (depending on the type, seeds can germinate from 2-3 days to 2-3 months), the sprouts are transplanted into containers with a more nutritious substrate than in adult cacti.
- When the seedlings are about three months old, they are cared for in the same way as adult cacti.
- Tip: it is better to plant cactus seeds so that they germinate in March-April.
Propagation of cacti by cuttings
It is more convenient and efficient to propagate cacti from cuttings. Many species have lateral children with rudimentary roots, which are simply separated and can be immediately planted in the soil mixture.
Cacti that do not have children are a little more difficult to propagate:
1. cut off a healthy shoot or section of the stem.
2. The cut site is dried in the sun for 3-4 days and then planted in a moist soil mixture.
How to plant cacti correctly? Video
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. PROPAGATION OF INDOOR FLOWERS - REVIEW!
2. VEGETATIVE REPRODUCTION OF HOUSE PLANTS IN DETAILS!
Specifics of watering depending on the season
Although the life cycle of a succulent is the most important indicator, different seasons require different strategies.
in autumn
Plants usually end their growing season and are preparing for “hibernation.” The amount of moisture must be reduced and the frequency of watering reduced to a minimum - once a month will be enough.
in winter
Succulents really go into a dormant state: they need to be placed in a cool, dark place and watering reduced to a minimum. If in the fall the frequency of watering the cactus was once a month, then in winter once or twice for the entire season will be enough.
Important! Do not be alarmed if your pet shrinks slightly - this is normal behavior and is not at all a sign that something was done incorrectly.
in spring
Spring awakening is quite slow, so plants completely return to their previous state by mid-to-late April. The main sign that the plant is entering the growing season is the appearance of new needles at the top and fresh greenery.
First you only need to lightly moisten the substrate, preferably with hot water. This will help the plant wake up faster. If the weather is sunny and the plant is “active,” you need to continue to water it gradually in the morning after the soil has completely dried. Then gradually increase the frequency of watering to once every 7-10 days.
Important! In the summer, watering the cactus should be more frequent, especially if it is in the sun. But on rainy days and high humidity there is no need to water - the plant will take everything from the air.
How to water representatives of different species?
As already noted, tropical forest plants need water more than their desert counterparts. They are epiphytes and attach to larger specimens, but do not feed at their expense. Thanks to their aerial roots, these cacti are able to extract moisture even from the air. Desert inhabitants are accustomed to a different climate and are much more drought-resistant.
Tropical cacti
They favor spraying; moreover, in hot weather or dry air due to the operation of heating devices, it is recommended to irrigate them periodically. But they tolerate complete drying out of the soil very poorly.
How often should you water certain forest cacti at home, depending on the type? It is worth considering the most common varieties.
Rhipsalidopsis - it is also called the “Easter bush”. From the beginning of spring to September, this succulent is watered once every week and a half, in winter - once every 3-5 days. It is worth considering that during flowering the substrate in the pot with ripsalidopsis should be constantly slightly moist.
Schlumbergera (Decembrist, Christmas cactus or Varvarina spit) - moisture is added every 3-5 days from June to September, the same regime is maintained during its flowering. From October until the start of flowering, the succulent is watered weekly, the rest of the time - a couple of times a month.
Pereskia - in the spring-summer period, when watering a flower, you should focus on the condition of the top layer of soil. Moisture is added when it dries. In autumn, the number of waterings is gradually reduced to once every 4-5 weeks and the regime is maintained throughout the winter.
Epiphyllum (previously these succulents were called phyllocacti) - from mid-November to March, gentle watering is recommended - once every 2 weeks. This is done more often in spring and summer, when the soil becomes dry to the touch, but still contains some moisture.
These are just a few representatives of a huge group of epiphytic succulents that are successfully adapted to living indoors. And how many times such cacti need to be watered is related to their needs in a particular season or life cycle.
Desert cacti
The sparse desert landscape, where golden sands stretch for many kilometers, is a frequent decoration of these persistent, rugged plants. In fact, not all cacti look like impressive columns with spines; among them there are very small specimens and even varieties that lack thorns and other means of protection. But, regardless of appearance and size, they are all accustomed to droughts and the scorching sun. Similar “flowers” are also found in rocky, dry areas.
So how often should you water such resilient and unpretentious cacti? As it turns out, giving them “durability tests” at home and leaving them without water for a long time is not recommended at all. And also you can’t water them like other domestic plants.
Acryocarpus - this peculiar star without spines requires a minimum of moisture. Even during active growing season - in spring it is enough to water it once every 3 weeks, when the soil is completely dry. In summer, one watering is enough, and in winter, the flower does without these procedures. Do not allow water to get on the leaves of the succulent; spraying it is also contraindicated.
Cephalocereus and Echinopsis - these cacti, common in home floriculture, are not watered in winter; during the growing season, one watering per week is enough for them.
Gymnocalyciums - like the previous type of cacti, these little hedgehog balls should not be watered in winter. In the spring-summer period, moisture is added once every 1-1.5 weeks, in the fall and even less often - monthly.
It's a parody - from late spring to early autumn, these flowering succulents need one watering every 1.5-2 weeks, in autumn and winter - per month.
Prickly Pear – This popular cactus also doesn’t need much moisture. Starting from spring and until mid-October, it is enough to water the soil once every 4 weeks; in winter it does without watering at all.
It is recommended to wipe the leaves of desert succulents with a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust, but if it is covered with lint, then it is better to avoid this procedure. In this case, you can follow the advice of experienced cactus growers - blow on the “fluffy” pets with a hairdryer using the cold air mode.
Undoubtedly, the watering regime is extremely important when caring for any home vegetation.
But it is equally important to use suitable water for these purposes.
Ways to water a cactus
Having found out the dependence of the frequency of watering a cactus on the weather, its origin, location and other factors, it is worth understanding the technical nuances of the issue.
You can't water like that
Watering from above
Do not pour water on top of the pot, capturing the stem and flower of the succulent. Water to the plant should come from the root, and the stem can only be lightly sprayed from the smallest diffuser if a lot of dust, sand or cobwebs have collected on it.
You can water the cactus from above, but the main task is to protect the stem from excess droplets. You will need a small water container with a narrow neck to allow you to control the water flow. When top-irrigating, you should try to give so much water that the entire lump of substrate in the pot is immediately saturated, and the water reaches the roots.
Important! Irrigating the plant gradually and in small portions from above is not recommended, because it is much easier to overwater the plant and create unfavorable conditions for it.
Watering tray
This option requires a little more preparation, but is more advantageous:
- Water is guaranteed not to get on the stem and will not harm the development and growth of the succulent.
- The short root system of the cactus will receive better and faster nutrition.
- Minerals from additives and substrate will be washed out much more, providing the plant with a favorable environment for development, reproduction and flowering.
Cacti in an individual tray
For watering through a tray, it is recommended to choose low plastic pots with holes at the bottom. It is better to buy a tray with high edges so that water does not spread over the table and windowsill. In addition, depending on the size, the tray can provide moisture for either one plant or a large collection of cacti. The main thing is not to forget that some succulents may need additional feeding or, conversely, less liquid, so it is better to place them separately.
When watering through a tray, it is most difficult to track how much moisture gets into each pot, so if the cacti are capricious and need a separate irrigation regime, it is better not to experiment. If it is difficult to determine how wet the soil is, it makes sense to buy a special device for measuring moisture and adjust the soil moisture plan according to its indicators.
Important! 20-30 minutes after watering, it is necessary to remove excess water from the pan to avoid excessive moisture in the roots of the succulent.
When replanting a plant, you need to moisten the soil after transferring it to another container and leave it for a while, observing the condition. Succulents experience some stress, so they may consume less liquid.
Watering options at home
Being fairly unpretentious plants, cacti do not require complex care. For a comfortable process, you can purchase or make your own neat irrigation system that will provide the soil with the necessary amount of moisture.
Healthy and beautiful cacti with proper care
You will need a small plastic bottle, which should be placed above the plant, and a small tube - medical for droppers or a regular cocktail tube. You need to make a hole in the bottle cap with an awl and insert the tube there. Such a simple device will protect the flowers and stem of the cactus from excess moisture, and the roots will receive the required amount of water.
Important! For plants accustomed to a dry environment, this method of watering is not suitable.
It is quite possible that when choosing a method for watering a cactus, you will have to spend a lot of time and conduct more than one experiment. But by choosing one guaranteed suitable method, you can save yourself a lot of hassle.
When watering a cactus, the main thing to remember is that it does not like frequent irrigation and needs significantly less liquid than other plants. The watering plan should correspond to the variety of succulent, its life cycle and season.
Do not flood the roots and water the plant frequently during hibernation. It is worth taking care of high-quality water and carefully monitoring the condition of your green pet. Following these simple rules will allow the cactus to grow healthy and please its owner for many years.
Do I need to fertilize and when?
Cacti do not need frequent feeding. When choosing fertilizer, give preference to nitrogen-containing ones. Flower growers do not recommend purchasing fertilizers that have an organic composition for cacti.
It is easiest to apply fertilizers that have a liquid structure. The ideal option would be to purchase a ready-made product at a flower shop, designed specifically for cacti. It should be diluted with filtered or boiled water according to the instructions.
There is no need to over-fertilize. Abuse of fertilizers is more harmful to the plant than lack of nutrition.
Types of fertilizers:
- Stimulating flowering. They contain calcium, nitrogen and phosphorus.
- For the rest period. For this purpose, minerals have a different ratio. Take 2 times less phosphorus.
Fertilizer mixtures should be carefully diluted. There is no need to try to give the plant an overly concentrated liquid.
