The Cactaceae family, better known as cacti, are plants belonging to the most abundant plant species in the desert. There are more than 2000 species of cacti that exist on the planet, and one of the most extraordinary things about these plants is that they can adapt to survive; They not only adapt to arid climates such as deserts, but they also adapt easily to humid climates.
As you well know, cacti are not complicated to care for, as they need very little water to survive. However, this does not mean that they can do without it as much as you think. If you have been given this species and you do not know how often is a cactus watered or what care is the most appropriate, be sure to read the following oneHOWTO article. This is all you need to know!
How often is a cactus watered – answer
Generally, cacti require very little water to survive, however domestic cacti must be watered more carefully. As a basic rule, these species should be watered once a week without forming puddles of water on the substrate, that is, without being excessive.
The container in which these plants are planted must have a well-draining substrate so that the water circulates and reaches all parts of the species. In this way you will also prevent the plant from being damaged by excess water in a single point, something much more common than it seems. Next we will explain you step by step how to water a cactus:
- Choose the best time to water them; either in the early hours of the morning or during the evening.
- You should use a shower with small holes that allows the rain-type water to come out and not squirt.
- If it is summer and the temperatures are high, we recommend water your cacti every three days. If this is not the case, you have to water them when the topsoil is dry (about once a week).
- Avoid watering the cactus when it is in direct sunlight. Also, keep in mind that you should only water their land, not the plant itself, as fungi and bacteria could grow on your cactus.
- Begin to water the cactus little by little without forming puddles on the surface of the earth. When the water starts to come out through the drains of the pot, for irrigation.
In this article on How to water succulents you will find more information about watering the cactus.
How often is a mini cactus watered
Mini cacti live up to their name, as they are very small in size. These species are mainly used as decorative plants, however, they require very specific care and somewhat different from normal cacti.
From UNCOMO we anticipate that normal is water the mini cacti every 15 daysAlthough if it is summer and the temperatures are very high, we recommend that you water it every time the soil is very dry, just as we have explained for the normal cactus. We share with you some tips:
- If you have just transplanted the mini cactus, do not water it, as it should begin to be watered two weeks after its transplant.
- You can use wooden sticks to see if internally the soil is still moist or not. In the event that the stick comes out completely dry, that is, without traces of damp soil, it is time to water your mini cactus.
- You should water the mini cactus very slowly, as puddles of water could form in the pot.
Despite these indications, the time that must pass between watering and watering will always depend on the types of cactus you have. For this reason, we recommend that you consult a specialized store which type of irrigation would be best for your types of cacti.
Other cactus care to consider
Cacti belong to the family of succulent plants, that is, those that accumulate water in their tissues to survive. The fact that these species can easily survive in pots makes them perfect as ornamental plants, as they require little care.
However, there are many who believe that cacti can be neglected, when in fact, they too need some basic specific care that must be taken into account to preserve their well-being. These are some cacti care that you should consider:
- Not all cacti adapt well to the incidence of sunlight all day, nor to total shade for 24 hours. We recommend placing the cactus in places where you can get both sun and shade or move it around during certain hours.
- Cacti don’t require as much water to survive; For this reason, in winter, it is recommended to keep your soil moist but never water it abundantly.
- In times of high heat, it is recommended to water the cacti up to twice a week when the soil is completely dry, but being careful to stop watering when the water begins to drain through the holes in the pot.
- It is not advisable to place cacti in very hot rooms, as this shortens their life.
- Nor is it advisable to subject cacti to temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius.
- With temperatures below 8 degrees Celsius, the cacti should not be watered, as they could be damaged or rotten.
- When the plant grows, it begins to change color and its roots begin to come out, it is an indication that the time has come to transplant the cactus. The best time to do this is after winter, when temperatures begin to regulate. In this other article on How and when to transplant cacti we offer you all the information you should know about this process.
If you have been wanting to know in more detail How to care for a cactus, be sure to visit this link.
If you want to read more articles similar to How often is a cactus wateredWe recommend that you enter our Gardening and Plants category.