Cactus Care

 Cacti and succulents are charming and easy-to-care-for houseplants. They don't require much, yet they greatly enhance your space, whether it's your kitchen, living room, or even your bedroom. Usually small, these plants help decorate your home and don't need much attention. For example, people who travel a lot or live in apartments enjoy their presence very much.

Characteristics of cacti and succulents

Cacti are one of the easiest houseplants to care for indoors. In fact, in nature, they are commonly found in desert environments and can survive droughts. They can live without water for multiple weeks. Although you might think they are just small, round, and spiky, succulents come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. However, their most common characteristic is that almost all of them have spines covering their body. In addition, their roots are empty and thin, which makes them very difficult to replant. Although they can go a long time without water, it is essential that they have sunlight to look good.

Caring for cacti and succulents

They are very easy to care for, making them excellent indoor plants for beginners and frequent travelers. Even so, there are several points you should consider:

Water

All succulents, including cacti, need water to grow. This usually occurs in spring and summer. Whether you prefer to keep them indoors or outdoors, you must ensure that the water is well distributed when you feed them. It should be to the point where water drains from the holes in your pot or container.

There are also specific needs for each plant species. For example, desert cacti need less water than forest cacti. So, in simple terms, no matter what type of cactus or succulent you have, make sure you don't give it too much water to drown it. Otherwise, the root could rot and prevent it from growing. Or worse, the leaves could wilt and the plant could die. You can avoid this by making sure the soil dries completely between each watering.

During autumn and winter, cacti enter a hibernation period. During these months, give them less water than usual. During this season, feed them only once a week. As for the type of water, it doesn't matter if you use tap water or potable water. There is also specialized water.

Light exposure

As a general rule, your cactus should receive between 4 and 6 hours of sunlight. However, there are species, such as the forest cactus or Christmas cactus, that do not tolerate much light. So, in specific instances, you should protect them from direct sunlight.

If the cactus starts to look bleached or loses its color, or turns yellow or orange, you should change its location immediately. This is its way of telling you that it is receiving too much light.

An indoor succulent likes to receive light and fresh air. A good place to put it is, for example, near a window. If you see that it starts to lean towards the light, move it to a brighter spot.

Choose the right soil

The soil you use for your succulents should have good absorption. You can buy it at a specialized store or mix it yourself. You just have to add sand to the compost. To test it, try to see how long it takes for water to drain from the holes in the pot. The ideal would be one minute. If it takes longer, replant the cactus and add more sand. On the other hand, if the water drains too quickly, add more compost.

Feeding

For the plant to grow properly, you must feed it well. The best fertilizer to use is one with low nitrogen, or one special for cacti. This should be done every few weeks during spring and summer, while the cactus is growing. Ask your specialized store for the correct material.

Re-potting

You should change your cactus's pot at least once a year. This gives them fresh soil and, at the same time, you can check their roots to see if they are growing correctly. To do this, simply turn your current pot upside down and gently tap the top to release the soil and roots. The next step is to separate the roots from the old soil. Use a stick or toothpick; do not use your hands directly. After removing the soil from the roots, you can plant it in its new pot. Make sure it is larger than the previous one, so it can continue to grow.

Beware of pests

Mealybugs

These plants, although easier to care for, can also be victims of bacteria and fungi caused by overwatering. In addition, you might find pests, such as mealybugs. They are the most common type of problem for these plants. They pierce their spines and damage them, or even kill them. Mealybugs usually appear in groups and are white. Sometimes they are difficult to identify because they hide in the cactus. They usually attack the leaves or branches, although they could also go to the roots to get their liquid. This causes the plant to rot.

Mites

If you see a type of cobweb and brown spots on your cactus, it may be due to mites. They are small and can be identified by making contact with a piece of paper with the infected area of your plant. This is because they look like dust. So look for these spots or cobwebs to identify them.

Fungus gnats

They are very similar to normal mosquitoes. You can usually see them on the soil of the pot. As their larvae live in the soil, they feed on the nutrients that should be for your plant. This can harm the growth of your succulent.

How to deal with these pests

As long as you give your cactus the right amount of water, sunlight, and soil absorption, it will be easier to prevent these problems. When healthy, they are less likely to be targeted by any of these insects. In the case of mealybugs, you can use cotton swabs with alcohol to remove them. Some bugs can also be removed with just water, just be careful not to let it all fall on your plant and drown it.

Insecticidal soap

Using insecticidal soap will help you get rid of pests. You should consider that it could damage your cactus, so it is important to check the amount and time to use it. Do not use them too often and always, always read the product instructions carefully.