Basic cactus care

[mickthecactus]

Although they may look difficult to grow and flower, in general terms they are pretty simple to look after once you get the basics right.

1. They need sunshine - as much as they can get. The only exception to this are epiphytic cacti e.g. Xmas cacti and they only need morning sun or dappled shade all day.

2. Fresh air. As much as you can give them. In summer I leave all windows, vents and door open even at night and I have a couple of fans going. Even a little in winter helps.

3. Soil must drain quickly. I use Westland which is part peat based, part John Innes and use it 50/50 with sharp sand. I then add some perlite to this and even some more grit if I feel that it needs it.

4. Don't overpot. Use the smallest that you can get away with but plastic is better than terracotta.

5. Water when the weather is right i.e. sunny - which it isn't at present. Once you have watered don't water again until the pot has dried right out. Again epiphytic cacti are the exception and don't like to dry right out. Keep dry between October and March. The basic about watering is if in doubt - don't.

6. Most cacti are happy at 5C in the winter although a few such as Brazilian and Caribbean cacti prefer 15c.

7. Al the above applies to succulents as well but there is a wider rantge that need more winter warmth. If any body wants to know I can detail them.

Hope that helps and please ask any questions no matter how dopey they may seem.

[plocket]

Cheers Mick - I can see now that I'm really mean to my poor cacti I guess I could put them on the windowsill at the top of the stairs but that's West facing so still probably wouldn't give them enough light. Should I feed them at all? And should I change their soil because they've been in those pots for about 4 years now :

[madonplants]

I have a Christmas Cactus, doing well, but if you had to suggest one for a beginner, what would you suggest, Mick?
Also why is plastic better than terracotta? Is that a dopey question??

Keith

[mickthecactus]

Plocket, West facing is better than North facing. Repot every year if you can. A weak feed is good for them say quarter strength tomato feed at each watering.

Keith, there are no such things as dopey questions. Because the soil should drain well terracotta dries out too fast unless you have a big pot which will stay moist a little longer. However, terracotta looks better and I actually use it quite often when I need a wide half pot that I can't find in plastic but I varnish the inside of the pot which stops it from drying out too fast and also stops the salts evaporating through the pot and leaving all those unsightly marks. In fact, most of my showworthy plants are in doctored terracotta pots as they look better. I also top dress all pots with grit which makes them look better, stops dirt splashes on the body of the plant and provides perfect draiange around the neck of the plant where they are most vulnerable.

[plocket]

Cheers Mick - I'll go and move my cacti now, and promise to try and be nicer to them!!!

[mickthecactus]

Sorry Keith - one for a beginner? Rebutia, Mammillaria, Echinopsis, Lobivia, Pseudolobivia and Echinocereus. All flower well and are generally hard to kill although there are a few very touchy Mammillarias.

[plocket]

I've done more than move my cacti Mick - I've potted them up!!!!!

[mickthecactus]

That was quick!

[plocket]

Hey I don't hang about!!! ;D

[mickthecactus]

Plocket, just occurred to me - as yours are indoors and the atmosphere drier you don't have to be quite as observant of the weather as you would in a greenhouse. Just make sure ther are dried out before you water again. Also, in winter try to find a cool place as the full blast of central heating may try to make them grow and then they look horrible.

[plocket]

Well the windowsill they are on doesn't have a radiator under it so I will probably leave them there all year round. They used to be on that windowsill anyway but I moved them last winter : And mine always dry out before they get re-watered because I forget about them. They are planted in glass containers specifically so I can see the soil too - so I can see whether it's dry - cunning hey? ;D

[madonplants]

Thanks Mick. Will have to do some Googling now!

Can you recommend any books as well? All I have on Cacti is the House Expert!

Keith

[mickthecactus]

I'll see what I can find Keith.

[mickthecactus]

Plocket, do they have drainage holes?

[plocket]

No but I only give them a tiny bit of water so the soil doesn't get sodden. It's worked for goodness how many years Mick

[mickthecactus]

Fair enough.

[plocket]

I know you are probably worrying about them getting too wet, but the vases are tall (about 8 inches tall) and the roots aren't anywhere near the bottom, and I'm very careful when I do remember to water them. Thanks!!!

[mickthecactus]

I have been advising against watering because of the poor weather conditions but I have to say that I will be watering all the smaller pots which dry out quicker tonight. Had a quick check this morning before work and they definitely need it. I am also watering the seedlings that i pricked out recently but they are sitting in the propagator which is on so that they get some bottom warmth as well. They are looking good I am pleased to say.

For some years I have been trying to raise Aloe melanacantha from seed without luck but I have 4 seedlings this year which all look nice and healthy.

[plocket]

Ok. Well taking on board what you said about drainage holes etc. I have re-potted my cacti - again. They are now in smaller pots, with drainage holes, and hopefully they won't mind the second bout of trauma

[plocket]

Ooo I forgot to ask - should I put them out in the rain, in their new pots with drainage holes, to wash off some of the dust that has accumulated on them over the years? :

[mickthecactus]

That's a good idea Plocket. Helps them to breathe.

[plocket]

Cheers hun! I'll stick them out today!!!

[sweetleaf]

This is it Emsey read the basics here.

[emseypop]

check

[mickthecactus]

I don't think it matters The witch. I've used both over the years with little sign of difference. Because I have so many I have used tap water for years and it seems fine. The only thing that might affect it is that tap water is alkaline and rain water acidic and cacti by and large prefer acidic. However, because my potting mix is already acidic alkaline tap water balances it out.