Basic Cactus Care To Keep Them Perky And Prickly
Basic Cactus Care To Keep Them Perky And Prickly
Cacti for the home can be quite a striking display and are unique with the variety of shapes, body types, colors and flowering capabilities. However, cactus care can tend to be a bit, well, prickly because the home is not quite the environment where they are originally from. Here are a few cactus care tips which will ensure that you have a healthy plant.
Lighting Requirements
Some cacti love natural bright sunlight, so reserve your windowsills and patio areas for your cactus. If you do not have areas in the home where your cactus can get hours of sunlight, you can provide an incandescent and fluorescent light mixture. In cactus care, some cacti require filtered rather than bright sunlight to prosper.
Filtered light means that it is a light source which is diffused such as sheer curtains or blinds which cut the strength of the full sunlight. There are a few varieties which require a shady environment and only indirect sunlight is necessary to maintain quality cactus care. Check with your instructions when you first receive your cacti for guidance.
Water Requirements
Water and humidity are two things that are important to cactus care even though the impression is that cacti don't need much at all. The basic rule is to totally drench your cactus when you water it, simulating a rain storm. You will not have to water your cactus for about a week but you can test the soil for dryness. If the soil is dry to the touch up to about half an inch below the surface, then it is time for another watering.
By using a plant tray filled with pebbles, you can create your own humid conditions in terms of cactus care. The water will drain into the tray and as it evaporates between watering, the evaporation will provide the humidity the cactus needs.
Temperature Needs
In cactus care, there are some cacti which require warmer conditions than others and some require slightly cooler night temperatures in order to bloom. While most instructions that come with your plant dictate the temperatures, the basic rule of thumb is to keep the cacti above 70°F during the day, which is easy for most that require sunlight. For the evening time, most cacti don't mind temperatures down to about 60°F as long as it doesn't last beyond the normal 8-12 hours of night.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing is an important part of cactus care as it provides the necessary nutrients for growth and also to help some cacti bloom. Unfortunately, there is no one size-fits all rule in terms of fertilizing so you should either keep up with the instructions that came with your cactus plant or ask a garden center technician your fertilizing options. While some cactus care can be rather involved, the results of your tender loving care will be worth the effort.