🎇 How To Take Care Of Cactus Indoors

Cacti need more water in the spring and summer when they’re doing most of their growing and blooming. Water them whenever the soil is bone dry. In the winter, when they’re dormant, don’t water them unless they begin to shrivel. They’re asleep, so leave them alone. You may only need to water them two or three times for the entire season. To water cactus from the bottom, wait until the soil is completely dry. Place in a saucer and pour about 0.5” (1 cm) of water into the dish. Wait until the cactus “drinks” the liquid. Add some more water. Repeat the process until the succulent stops absorbing. Remove from the saucer and place it on a dry drip tray. Six to eight weeks before Christmas, place the plant in a completely dark space where the temperature is 60 degrees (such as a closet or garage) for 12 hours each night. Some people put a box over their plant each morning, and remove it at night. Be sure to bring the plant out to a sunny spot for the other 12 hours each day. Taking care of a Rose Cactus plant is relatively easy. The most important thing to remember is to keep the soil slightly moist, but not soggy. Water the soil whenever it is dry, usually once a week depending on the size of the plant. Make sure to water the soil around the plant, not directly on the cactus itself. Easter cactus is relatively low-maintenance, and usually lives many years, often reaching a mature height of about 24 inches. Although Easter cactus usually is grown indoors, it is hardy outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10b through 11. Ideal Potting Medium for Night Blooming Cereus. Caring for your night-blooming cactus comes down to using the correct soil. Your cactus, as a container-grown plant, loves gritty, well-draining soil. You can invest in cacti soil or use a succulent mix. Investing in a well-draining soil mix helps keep your plant’s feet dry as it does not like Water your cactus when the soil is dry, about once a week, and use a low-nitrogen fertilizer about once a month. Avoid over-watering and touching the spines as much as possible. If you notice any pests, use an insecticide to get rid of them. Lastly, rotate the pot every few weeks so the cactus grows evenly. After flowering in the spring, take a 4” segment from a healthy branch, and allow it to callous for a few days. Dip it in rooting hormone, place it in lightly moistened, well draining soil, and water sparingly. Keep it barely damp for 4-5 weeks, or until you see new growth form. Rooting orchid cactus cuttings. Thanksgiving Cactus Care Requirements. Thanksgiving cacti are semi-tropical, so they're best grown as houseplants or outdoors in USDA zones 10 through 12. When growing inside, be sure to keep your thermostat at an ideal temperature for the plant—about 58 and 72 degrees. Plant it in a safe spot in the water-wise landscape or in a container. Don’t crowd it in; leave room for new offsets, called pups. These babies grow from a well established root base, sometimes in clusters. They may be removed for planting elsewhere or left to fill in the bed. This cactus may also expand by branching. Learn the basics of taking care of an indoor cactus, from watering, lighting, potting soil, and fertilizing to repotting and propagating. Find out how to make your cactus thrive in your home with these easy-to-follow tips and tricks. The plant can grow to be several feet tall. 10. Chin Cactus (Gymnocalycium baldianum) This cactus is native to South America and is characterized by its small size, typically growing to be less than 6 inches tall and wide. It has a spherical body with numerous ribs that are adorned with clusters of spines. Cut off a stems into 2-3 inch pieces. Dust the end with a rooting hormone and plant into soil. Cover with plastic and roots will grow in a few weeks. For more tips on how to propagate Thanksgiving cactus, read this post. It includes suggestions for stem cuttings, water rooting and division. After the roots have sprouted from the torn ends – gently transplant the leaf into a pot with soil. Although they are not susceptible to diseases, periodically clean the succulents – so that they are not attacked by mites. This will prevent the parasites from settling, and the plant will be grateful to you. Here’s how you can propagate a mistletoe cactus by stem cuttings in a few easy steps: Using a sterilized pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears, take 3-4 inch cuttings from your plant. Set the fresh cuttings in a cool, dry location for 24 hours so that the cut end can callous over before planting. .

how to take care of cactus indoors