Caring for Cacti (Succulents)

Watering Requirements

Cacti require different amounts of water depending on the season and weather.

• Summer: Water regularly. If the sky is overcast, water slightly less and wait for sunny conditions.
• Winter: Water minimally.
• Crucial: Never allow waterlogging, as this can be fatal.

Location and Light

The ideal location for cacti varies with the season.

• Summer: Place plants outdoors, but ensure they are protected from continuous rain (e.g., on a balcony or terrace).
• Spring: Gradually acclimate plants to direct sunlight to prevent sunburn. Avoid immediate exposure to intense sun.
• Winter: Keep plants in a cool, bright location, ideally around 15 °C (59 °F).

Repotting Correctly

Repotting is best done in March. Use well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with a pH around 5-6. Compost soil or special cactus soil is recommended; avoid standard potting mixes from garden centers that are often too peat-rich and dry poorly. To kill pests, briefly heat the soil in a microwave or oven before use.

Fertilizing

During the growth period, use a low-nitrogen fertilizer. Fertilize 2-3 times as per the instructions on the fertilizer package.

Common Care Mistakes

1. Lack of Water: Shriveled leaves or stems indicate dehydration. Water the plant. Remove any dried-out (dead) leaves.
2. Waterlogging: Roots will rot, leading to plant death. Use well-draining soil and pots with drainage holes, and water less frequently.
3. Excessive Sun: Red spots on leaves are a sign of too much direct sun too quickly. Gradually acclimate the plant to sunlight, for example, by placing it on a windowsill.
4. Corking: This is an age-related appearance. It can be mitigated by ensuring plants are not too crowded; they often stand too close together.
5. Frost: Discoloration, rot, and dead tips indicate frost damage. Cover plants or bring them indoors in time.

Cactus Care Calendar

• November to February: Winter dormancy. Water minimally, only a small amount every three to four weeks.
• March: Occasionally spray plants with water; begin light watering when the weather is warm.
• April: Acclimate plants to sunlight, water them, and place them in their summer spot on sunny days, protecting them from sunburn.
• May: Move plants to their summer location, continuing to acclimate them to sun.
• June to August: Water normally as soon as the soil dries out; never let the soil completely dry. Fertilize.
• September: Reduce watering; stop fertilizing.
• October: Gradually reduce watering until it ceases completely.

Pain-Free Repotting Steps

Materials Needed:

• New soil
• New pot
• A folded newspaper (folded into a long strip)
• Small shovel
• Pointed object (e.g., skewer)

Instructions:

1. Wrap the folded newspaper around the cactus, grasping it as close to the base as possible, and lift.
2. Use the pointed object to gently remove old soil from the roots.
3. Fill the new pot with some fresh soil, then place the plant in.
4. Fill the rest of the pot with new soil up to the root collar. Place the repotted cactus in a shady spot, and water after 3 days.

Encouraging Cactus Blooms

• Cacti must be mature enough to flower, with the appropriate age varying by species.
• They require abundant light in summer and cool temperatures in winter.
• Some species, like the Christmas cactus, need up to 16 hours of light per day to bloom.