Caring for Cacti and succulent plants
Tips and Advice about caring for your Cactus or Succulent
Ideal plants for people of any age, cacti, and succulents grow in most positions and locations. They are suitable for both indoors and outdoors, from patios to gardens. They come in many shapes and sizes-, and are shaded to full sun. Drought resistant as well. Beautiful flowers and shapely forms can be a central point in any garden.
Cactus and succulent plants can take care of themselves for short periods at a time. But read on for tips and advice about caring for Cacti and Succulents. Why not join our newsletter (at the bottom of each page). To get ongoing tips and advice from our Blog posts sent directly to your email every week? Can follow me on my Facebook page as well
Position
Place your cactus or succulent in a position where it will get good sunlight for approximately 4 hours to 6 hours a day. If plants start to grow thin on top or stretching, it is telling you that it needs more light.
Watering
Watering needs for Cacti and Succulents vary, according to the season.
Summer
During Summer you should water once a week unless the temperature gets consistently higher than 30 degrees, in which case you may need to increase watering to twice a week.
Autumn and Spring
During Spring and Autumn you can reduce the watering of your Cactus or Succulent to once a fortnight.
Winter
During Winter you only need to water a Cactus or Succulent once a fortnight for mildly cold conditions or even once a month if it is particularly cold.
Each Season
It is important to remember to spray your plants for bugs and fungus each season.
POTTING
It is time to re-pot your cactus or succulent when the plant is too big for the pot, or it has become root bound. In the case of plastic pots, you can tell when it has become root bound when you can no longer squeeze the pot, (as the roots have taken up all available space), and in the case of hard pots, e.g. terracotta, you will see roots growing out through the water holes at the base.
When you do re-pot, make sure that whatever soil you use has good drainage. As an example, add sand or small stones to the mix, as well slow release fertiliser, this will help to keep your plant healthy.
Pests and Control
Here’s how to control any Aphids (greenfly), Mealy Bugs, Scale, Spider Mites or White-flies that may take a liking to your Cactus or Succulent. Scale just brushes off but for other pests you can either choose to use insecticidal soap or various other chemicals or, for those looking for natural alternatives that also act as an ongoing deterrent, spray them regularly with pure Neem Oil or dust with Diatomaceous Earth.
Diseased or Damaged and Control
Should your Cactus or Succulent ever get damaged due to breakage, excessive cold, over watering or even due to diseases such as Basal or Root Rot, portions of the plant can be saved if you can make healthy cuttings that are free from discoloration and rot. Withholding fertiliser and cutting back on water in the Autumn, (Fall), will prepare hardy plants for Winter. In a house or greenhouse, circulating fans will even out the temperature and prevent cold spots.
