I received a cactus plant as a present do they need much water ??

Answer 1

very little...even less in the winter..the soil doesn't have to be moist like a normal house plant.

Answer 2

First make sure it is a true Cactus and not a succulent such as Haworthia, Aloe or Lithops (stone plant) – also Euphorbia to name just a few. Succulents will require more attention and in some cases specialised care - Individual genera has specific requirements and even then some species in the genera will require adaptation. Also important it to check the soil it is planted in - For Cacti it has to be fast draining and it has to maintain a moist environment in the root zone that is just right (better shorter than longer) for your room/space it is kept in. If outdoors – make sure it is in a pot/space where moisture can be controlled, positioning it in a Rain-shadow in full or partial sun. Structure the soil medium to ensure very good and fast drainage.

Generally speaking - let it dry out completely between each watering. Too difficult to say how often as the microclimate of the space you keep it in may affect the rate of transpiration, and the soil drying out through evaporation. Also amount of direct sunlight it gets may affect it too. Take care to offer it good light as they naturally occur in arid landscapes and deserts.

Stop watering altogether in mid to late autumn. Start watering again in late spring, early summer. (The amount of sun and ambient temperature dictates - if we have a repeat hot spring as the UK experienced this year, you may want to start earlier. If elsewhere in the world - you have to judge the seasons accordingly)

First watering after this winter "fasting" should be very little as too much can cause root and or crown rot. Note that the plant will appear to "shrink" during it's winter fasting. This will be reversed at resuming of watering in the new season. I suggest spraying the plant and soil with a fine mist to get just the top 10-20mm moist. Wait until it dry out and follow up with a similar spay but this time to achieve moist soil to double the first depth achieved. Third watering as normal and then follow the routine of the previous year. Be careful of over watering, watchful for root rot and if kept indoors - there are some insects and other ailments to watch out for too - but generally - they thrive on minimal attention compared to other plants. Give them the right conditions and they will thrive.

Answer 3

Rather depends what type of cactus it is - I have one which needs to be watered weekly - it gets all sad looking if it doesn't get water - and another that I think I watered 5 or 6 weeks ago!

Answer 4

Keep the pot in a saucer, and add water to the saucer once a week in the summer, stop about Sept. and start again about May. If possible only give rain water, they do not like tap water. Occasionally give a feed, special feed from most garden centres, a little powder in the water.

Answer 5

Not at all. My mother's cactus only needs 1 tablespoon of water once a month.

Answer 6

if cactus is about 4 in high to spoon full of water once a week if 2 in high 1 spoon full once a week

Answer 7

I water mine once a month in the summer .Water till it comes out of the bottom of the pot . Don't let it stand in water though. Stop watering in October, start again in March.. Cacti will survive coldweather conditions if dry. It is cold and wet that kills them I feed mine every 2 nmonths in the summer .

Answer 8

That's a really nice present. Btw here is the number one rule in watering Cacti: WATER WHEN DRY. I'm sure you can't go wrong.

Answer 9

i dont think they like to be overwater or to have soggy roots u can get special food for them i expect u need to find out what sort of cactus u have go and look in a garden centre and find one like yours and see what the info on the label says

Answer 10

Very very little water needed. Their natural home is the desert.