How Can i keep my cactus alive ?

Question

I brought a new cactusesterday and its about 25cm high. My last one died and i'm not sure why. this time ive put the put on like this petre-dish and i put water in the petre-dish for it to drink. Is this ok and will it make it live longer and better???

Answer 1

It sounds like your new cactus will also die an early death from overwatering. Why not set your Yahoo page weather section to some place in Arizona or New Mexico, and whenever they say it is raining, water your cactus plant. Many more cactus plants die from overwatering than underwatering.

Answer 2

Care of Your Cactus
Potted Plants

In most cases cactus will do well in pots as long as you remember three things. Food, light, water.

Food

When you bring the plant home most of the time it is in a small pot and it probably has grown there for a long time, which means it has used up most of all the nutrients in the soil. So think about repotting and setting up feeding program. Most cactus like several small feeding, better than one large feeding. I like a time release type in the spring and this will feed the plant for six or more months. The other way is to give the plants food three time a year (spring, summer, fall)with a dilute solution of plant food like (5-10-5). This should do them well for the year.

Light

A potted cactus will live and flower in the house if given enough light, place the plant near a bright lighted window, where it will receive light most of the day. On the patio is different place the cactus in a partly shaded area until it become accustom to the sun. Never bring the cactus home and place it in the bright sun, cactus sun burn just like people.

Water

Cactus in pots require more care in watering than in the ground. In the growing period which can be spring & summer or fall & winter. Depending on where they come from, south america or north america, the plant should not be allowed to go completely dry, just moist. In the house watering could be as little as once a month depending on the dryness of the house. But outside as much as every two or three days. Take a wooden pencil or dow rod and place it down through the soil to the bottom of the pot, when removed, if damp soil is on it don't water. After a few try's you will learn when to water.

Potting mix for San Antonio area consist of

1 part potting mix (not soil)
1 part washed sand 1 part course gravel or pumas

Answer 3

Too much water plus insects and mites are the main problems. Root and stem rots usually result from a soil mix that does not drain quickly or overly frequent watering.

Aphids, spider mites and mealy bugs are the major pests of cacti. Check new plants carefully for pests before purchase. Houseplant insecticide sprays or insecticidal soaps can be used for control. Make sure that the spray you use is labeled for cacti and follow label directions carefully. Scale can also occur and is more difficult to control.

Water them as any other houseplant that prefers to dry slightly between waterings. In winter, while the plants are dormant, they should be allowed to get very dry between waterings. Water them just enough to keep them from shriveling. Usually this will mean a light watering every few weeks. The plant must never be permitted to stand in water. Waterlogged soil will quickly lead to rotting of the roots.

Windows facing south or west where they will receive direct sunlight for several hours each day are ideal. Artificial light may be necessary to supplement natural light.

Hope these information is useful.

Answer 4

Only thing I can think of why your last one died could b due to over watering? Cactus can only b sufficiently watered once or at most, twice a wk. In a dish without any drainage, may rot the roots, so I hope your dish has drainage holes. I collect cactus .... they'r so nice ... I've about 30 diff. types in small pots. Enjoy !

Answer 5

The most common mistake with cactus is to overwater, if the roots stay damp they rot, best instruction is to wait until the soil is nearly dry before watering again.
Repotting cactus can kill them too, the roots are sensitive and will rot if bruised - killing the plant.
Although cactus come from warm places, they do not like to sit too near to a heat source - do not (for example) put your cactus on top of a radiator.

Answer 6

Water it - but not too much.
Stand pot on gravel or pebbles, so that it does not stand in water. IT needs to drain freely.
Make sure it is in well-draining (sand-like) compost, rather than peaty stuff that holds a lot of water. Standing in too much water will rot your cactus.
You can also buy cactus feed.
GOOD LUCK. Don't go kissing it to encourage growth, you'll end up with prickly lips!!

Answer 7

Cactus. Desert. Dry. Don't let it sit in a dish of water.

Answer 8

They need light and just a little water. If you're trying to get them to bloom for christmas you'll also probably want to put them someplace relatively cool for a bit (not outside if it's freezing, but like the garage or a cool room in your house).

Answer 9

If you would look on line, you will find that cacti needs very little water, and direct sunlight. Put a little water in the dish and leave it, when it is gone.. then replace it..

Answer 10

cactus doesn't like water, but it likes strong light......don't ever leave it sitting in water and only water when it is sooooo dry. Also, you can use a regular feed when yu water of Schultz liquid or anything else.