Cactus Plant Care

Cactus Plants and Other Succulents

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Cactus and other succulents grow very well in hot conditions and need direct sunlight. They will get root rot in fall and winter if the soil is too damp. The epiphytic forest cacti do not need as much heat as the desert cacti need in summer. Succulents are good plants for beginners. Try them.

Cactus Plants and Other Succulents Plant Care Requirements
Light:

Requires plenty of light. Place your cactus plants on a window sill facing south or southeast where they will get direct sunlight. You may even place them outside during summer.

Temperature and Humidity:

Requires high temperature and dry air. Keep your cactus plants in a well ventilated area and you will prevent leaf diseases.

Soil:

Use a cactus soil mix and add a one-third mixture of coarse sand, pieces of charcoal or broken brick. Keep the soil very well drained. Forest cactus plants will grow very well in moist soil.

Water:

Water your cactus plants once per week during spring and summer. It is very important that you allow the soil to dry totally before the next watering. Other succulents may need more watering than your cactus, but the key is, do not water until the soil is totally dry. Water once per month during fall and winter. This prevents the cactus plants from shriveling up during this dormant period.

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Fertilizer:

Use a liquid fertilizer at one-half its stated strength every 5 to 6 weeks during spring and summer. Add a small amount of potash feed during summer to help with flowering. Do not fertilize during fall and winter.

Pests and Diseases:

Affected by root rot and leaf diseases. Susceptible to being attacked by aphids, mealybugs, scale, and slugs and snails. Aphids produce a sweetish, sticky substance which may lure ants.

To treat for aphids wash the leaves with lukewarm soapy water containing nicotine. To extract the nicotine crush pieces of tobacco in water. Let the preparation rest for a few hours then pour through a sieve into a container. Mix your nicotine liquid with warm soapy water. but if the infestation is severe,
To get rid of mealy bugs use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, wash the plant with lukewarm soapy water and rinse with clean water. If the infestation is severe, use an insecticide, get Safer insecticide from Bonsai Boy.
To treat for scale use lukewarm soapy water and brush the scales from the leaves, then rinse. If the infestation is severe, use an insecticide.
Place a pie plate with beer to trap slugs and snails.

Propagation:

Use cuttings. Take forest cacti cuttings in summer, and desert cacti cuttings in spring and summer. Allow cuttings to dry a few days and then place them in a peat moss soil mix.