Как правильно поливать кактус в домашних условиях

Как правильно поливать кактус — важный вопрос. Ведь на первый взгляд, кажется, что кактус — совершенно неприхотливое растение, и вопроса о правилах его полива возникать не должно. Это ошибочное мнение, потому что потребности в питании водой кактуса зависят от различных показателей и характеристик.

Важно знать, как часто нужно осуществлять полив, температуру воды, особенности увлажнения в разные времена года, чтобы обеспечить растение всеми необходимыми для хорошего роста и развития элементами. Гарантировать долговечность и цветение можно, узнав, как правильно поливать кактус.

Как правильно поливать кактус

Поливать это растение в домашних условиях нужно правильно, не так, как обычные комнатные цветы. Ниже описаны основные рекомендации:

Надо ли поливать кактус?

При питании почвы водой стоит быть осторожным, так как кактус не любит, когда она попадает на стебель. Старайтесь поливать землю так, чтобы полить у корня, но не попасть на само растение.

Кактус можно увлажнять двумя способами: сверху, либо снизу. Опытные цветоводы считают, что последний способ наиболее подходит для разных суккулентов, потому что имеет несколько преимуществ.

Одно из них заключается в том, что корешки, через которые проходит питание кактуса полезными веществами, расположены у самого дна горшка. То есть полив в поддон гарантированно даст положительный результат, поскольку вероятность попадания микроэлементов через конец корня максимальная.

Смачивать субстрат у основания растения или корня ненужное занятие, которое не принесёт пользы  (растение прихотливо к попаданию воды на стебель).

Конечно, увлажнять кактус снизу достаточно легко, но и этот способ требует опыта. Нужно контролировать количество влитой в поддон воды и уровень влажности.

Необходимо следить за тем, чтобы вода после её впитывания кактусом через поддон не оставалась в нём. Важно обеспечить отличный дренаж и не допускать застоя воды.

Лучше всего обеспечивать водой утром.  Делать это нужно утром во все времена года, кроме лета (летом — вечером), но это не всегда верно, поскольку время увлажнения также зависит от температуры и других климатических показателей в комнате и на улице.

Как правильно проводить процедуру зависит от выбранного способа. Рекомендуется делать это растение снизу.

Частота полива растения

Сколько раз нужно поливать кактус? Кактусы принято поливать в период роста, который называется вегетацией, это правило действует для большинства видов. Множество европейских разновидностей растут ближе к лету, к концу весны, и ближе к осени, к концу лета.

Также следует помнить, что у этого растения время «сна» наступает зимой, а вегетационный период — весной. Или в середине лета наступает период покоя у кактусов (не такой долгий, как зимой), а в конце лета, ближе к осени, опять начинается вегетация.     

Как часто надо поливать кактус?

Обратите внимание, что у некоторых видов совершенно иной цикл жизни, и его необходимо учесть при уходе за растением, который должен быть индивидуальным для каждого отдельного суккулента.

Несмотря на то, что большинство видов нужно обеспечивать водой в вегетационный период, у некоторых время развития не совпадает с периодом цветения.

Многих начинающих цветоводов этот факт вводит в заблуждение, поэтому они не понимают, как увлажнять кактус в период покоя. Чтобы решить эту проблему, следует обратиться к таким  особенностям растения:

• Сильное, уже достаточно развившееся растение в период цветения может обойтись без воды, но при высокой температуре воздуха полить всё же нужно.
• Если кактус ещё молодой или слабый, то его стоит обеспечивать достаточным количеством воды держать в тёплом месте. Можно без этого, но тогда сохранить цветение не получится.
• Привитые растения можно спокойно поить в период покоя.
• Уязвимые виды кактусов не нужно питать водой, а по возможности дать им полный отдых.

Не забывайте, что период вегетации для любого растения очень важен, поэтому поливать нужно осторожно, не заливать кактус, когда погода прохладная — воздержаться от процедуры, даже если земля совсем высохла.

К вопросу о том, как часто поливать кактус в жаркие дни почва должна быть влажной всегда, но застоя воды быть не должно.

Какой должна быть вода

Какой водой поливать кактус? Качество воды для большинства суккулентов играет огромную роль в успешности их роста. Любая вода содержит примеси, поэтому её нельзя считать полностью чистой. Как известно, кактусы пересаживают нечасто, поэтому с годами состав почвы кардинально меняется.

Любит ли кактус воду?

Происходит это оттого, что с каждым увлажнением в субстрат вносится новое вещество, которое химически взаимодействует с другими компонентами земли.

Этого не избежать, потому что такие эксперименты проводятся в лабораторных условиях.

При поливе необходимо руководствоваться следующими правилами:

• Учитывайте то, что делать это кактус нужно чистой водой, которая должна быть нежёсткой и иметь слегка кислый состав. Лучше всего подойдёт талая, кипячённая или дождевая вода. Можно использовать отстоявшуюся воду.
• Температура воды не должна быть низкой, а наоборот немного превышать температуру воздуха.
• Хорошей процедурой для данного растения является опрыскивание тёплой водой (около 30-40 град.).

Обратите внимание, что опрыскиватель должен быть отрегулирован под мелкие капли, иначе можно повредить растение.  Эпифитные кактусы являются исключением, поэтому их можно протирать или полноценно мыть под струёй воды.

Выбирайте наиболее чистую воду со слегка кислой средой, поскольку она является полезной для кактуса.

Полив кактуса в разные времена года

Так выглядит здоровый кактус

В разные времена года кактусы следует поливать по-разному. Потому что новое время года — новые климатические условия, к которым нужно приспособиться. Процесс в соответствие со временами года описан ниже:

Лето. Как поливать кактусы летом? Летом полив стоит ограничить или наоборот увеличить по нескольким причинам. Во-первых, растение готовится к зимнему покою, поэтому лучше пропустить, чем ещё раз залить кактус.

Но если погода действительно жаркая и температура воздуха высокая, то даже кактусу необходима влага, пусть он и приспособлен к таким условиям. Особенно это касается первой половины лета.

Зима. Зимой кактус «спит», поэтому рекомендуется его не поить, он выживет и так. Стоит поставить горшок с растением в прохладную комнату, чтобы земля не высохла. Если это всё-таки произошло, то можно её слегка увлажить.

Весна. Весной первый полив должен производиться теплой водой. Второй нужно обеспечить только после появления первых бутонов.

Когда растение начнет активно развиваться, частоту следует увеличить (1 раз в 5 дней). Хранить нужно в светлом и тёплом помещении и по утрам делать опрыскивание водой не ниже 30 градусов.

У кактуса существуют сезонные особенности полива, которые также связаны с его жизненным циклом.

Во время просмотра видео вы узнаете об уходе за кактусами.

Теперь, научившись одному из важнейших правил ухода за кактусом — поливу, можно быть уверенным, что растение будет здоровым и порадует хозяина красотой своего цветения.

Мнение эксперта

Юлия Юрьевна

Имею большой сад и огород, несколько теплиц. Люблю современные методики культивирования растений и мульчирования почвы, делюсь опытом.

Задать вопрос

Как правильно поливать кактус чтоб он не заболел?

Кактусы довольно устойчивые растения, которые редко болеют. В основном проблемы вызваны неправильным уходом. Чаще всего, некорректным режимом полива.

Если стебель у основания кактуса стал сморщенным, а также появились пятна, которые при прикосновении кажутся мягкими, растение регулярно переувлажняется. Особенно опасен избыток влаги зимой.

Если же растение не развивается, не растет, скорее всего, в летнее время ему не хватает влаги, а зимой ее слишком много. Также, недостаток воды может спровоцировать образование различных пятен, пробок на поверхности растеньица.

Иногда кактусы поражаются паутинными клещиками. Лучше всего эти вредители развиваются в условиях тепла, сухого воздуха. По этой причине важно обеспечивать не только полив под корень, но и регулярные опрыскивания.

Наиболее распространенным результатом перелива является загнивание основания стебля. Если проблема замечена вовремя, еще есть возможность спасти кактус. Начать нужно с того, что вынуть его из горшка, а потом промыть под не сильной струей воды от почвы.

Следующий шаг — срезание сгнившей части. В процессе важно захватить и несколько миллиметров здоровой ткани, чтоб убедиться, что все пораженные участки удалены. Кроме того, если к гниению присоединилось грибковое заболевание, оно могло поразить и здоровые ткани, хотя признаки не заметны.

Если есть споры, пятна или подобные симптомы грибка, рекомендуем срезать хотя бы сантиметр здоровой ткани, иначе после пересадки кактус заболеет снова.Важно удалить ткани не только с нижней части, но и захватить достаточно много с боков.

Когда работы закончены, нужно оставить культуру подсохнуть. Для этого потребуется выделить место с хорошим освещением, но без интенсивных солнечных лучей. Важно, чтоб на месте среза образовалась корочка или даже корешки. На это может потребоваться 7-10 дней.

Когда корочка появиться, растение сажают в чистый, небольшой горшок. Вместо субстрата рекомендуем использовать песок. В описанном случае поливать растеньице нужно в поддон и очень понемногу.

Кроме гниения, на переувлажнение кактус может реагировать опаданием колючек, а также приобретением желтоватого оттенка.

Важны умеренные увлажнения, если растеньице находиться в прохладном и затененном месте. В таких условиях процессы идут медленнее. А это означает, что и влаги хватает на дольше.

Еще, нельзя сажать маленький кактус в крупную емкость. Корни не смогут впитать всю образовавшуюся в горшке влагу, что спровоцирует застой воды, и, как следствие потерю декоративности и загнивание.

Соблюдайте все требования, и тогда уход за ним не займёт много времени.

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Это меня удивило

Комнатные растения

90000 How Often Do You Water a Cactus? 90001 90002 What Does a Cactus Need? 90003 90004 I do not know about you, but I’m a very busy person. I have two small children-which on its own is a full-time job-but also have to cook, clean, run errands, and take care of the household. I’m not going to remember to water a plant every day, so it should not be any surprise that I would wind up with a cactus. 90005 90004 Originally, I thought that a cactus would be an easy plant. I quickly realized, however, that I had absolutely no idea how much (or how little) work it was going to take.I knew that I would not have to water the cactus every day, but I definitely had to ask, «What does a cactus need?» 90005 90004 Very early on as a cactus owner, I learned that there’s a pretty big difference between «thrive» and «survive.» Truth be told, I had always just assumed that cacti would thrive if they were left in a sunny spot and watered once every few weeks. Is not that what it’s like in the desert, after all? A cactus can survive under those conditions, but in order for it to thrive, it needs a bit more.Although cacti can survive without water for weeks on end, there’s no way that it’s going to thrive with that little attention. 90005 90004 Now, my cacti thrive. Here’s what I learned. 90005 90002 How Often Do You Water a Cactus? 90003 90004 How much water you need depends on a wide range of factors, but the first thing to know is that not all cacti are the same. 90005 90004 «Cacti» is short for the specific plant family 90017 Cactaceae 90018, but that umbrella term encompasses a wide variety of types that live in drastically different habitats and have vastly different needs.Many-like those in the genus 90017 Ferocactus 90018 -are the typical, hardy desert-dwellers that need little water, but the genus 90017 Echinopsis 90018 (from the grasslands of South America) and genus 90017 Oreocereus 90018 (from the high Andes mountains) both need a bit more water, while genus 90017 Epiphyllum 90018 (from jungles) -a cactus that roots in trees rather than dirt-likes cooler and damper habitats. Deciding how much to water depends on: 90005 90028 90029 The type of cactus that you have 90030 90029 What its normal growing season is 90030 90029 The typical temperature, soil, and conditions of its original habitat 90030 90029 What type of temperature, soil, and conditions it’s being grown in now 90030 90037 90038 How do I know which type of cactus I have? 90039 90040 90029 Look at the container it came in.Usually, there will be a tag or a sticker to help you identify the type and understands its needs. 90030 90029 Bring a photo to your local nursery for help with identification. 90030 90029 Try to identify your cactus by looking at photos of cacti online, or see if your local library has a good reference book. 90030 90047 90002 How Much Water Do Cacti Need, and How Often? 90003 90004 Water-either too much or not enough-is the hardest thing to get right and the most common reason cacti fail to thrive (or survive), but sweeping generalizations about how much and how often to water will not help you, since every type of cactus is different.Here are some general guidelines to follow: 90005 90028 90029 During the growing season (usually from spring to fall) cacti want regular watering and fertilizing. In the hottest, driest months, thoroughly water your cactus once a week. 90030 90029 Always let your cactus dry out between waterings. The top few inches of soil should be completely dried out. A water gauge can help you determine the soil’s moisture level, or you can stick your finger into the dirt to gauge the moisture level yourself.90030 90029 Of course, plants in pots need more water than those planted directly into the ground, so adjust accordingly. 90030 90029 Many plants rest in a semi-dormant state from late fall to early spring and need less water then. If you live in an area that gets more water than that cactus’s natural habitat, you will not need to water. 90030 90029 Some say that cacti need a little water during their dormant season, but others say that they do not need any during winter. You’ll need to test and watch carefully to see how much water your cactus wants.90030 90029 Watch for signs in the leaves or stems that show that the plant is getting stressed due to a lack of or excess moisture. An underwatered cactus might look deflated, rubbery, skinny, or pale. At first, an overwatered cactus might look happy and plump, with new pups growing, but waterlogging a cactus will cause its roots to die and rot, so eventually, the plant will get soft and pale. Catch the symptoms early and stop watering too much and often. 90030 90029 Your water’s hardness makes a difference.If your water is hard, re-potting is recommended every couple of years to prevent salt build-up. 90030 90029 If potted, your cactus should be in a well-drained pot. Cacti never like to stand in puddles. 90030 90037 90002 How to Water a Cactus 90003 90004 Alright, so how often do you water a cactus? Although it can depend on a number of the different factors which we’ve already talked about, there is a general rule of thumb that can be used for most varieties. 90005 90004 Most horticulture professionals agree that you should water a cactus around once a week in the hottest months.In most cases, this is the perfect amount to provide adequate moisture without causing too much water to remain in the soil and soak the roots. 90005 90004 When it’s time to water, do so until the soil is saturated. If you see water slowly dripping out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot, this is a sign that the soil is thoroughly soaked. If the cactus is in the ground, you can use your finger or a water gauge. 90005 90002 How Do I Know How Much Water My Cactus Needs Even If I Do not Know What Kind It Is? 90003 90004 If you do not know the proper name, place of origin, or care instructions for your cactus, answering these questions should help you determine how often to water.90005 90040 90029 90084 Does it have leaves or stems? 90085 Most species of cacti do not have true leaves, but some do. As a general rule, the thinner the leaf, the more water the cactus will need. Cacti with a high surface-area-to-volume ratio (like those with thin leaves) lose water at a higher rate than those with a low area-to-volume ratio (those with thick, fat stems). 90030 90029 90084 Does it have spines? 90085 If your cactus has lots of spines, it might need less water than one with few spines.Most cacti have spines, which are modified leaves. Although spines contain little or no water, they do help a cactus conserve water by trapping air on the surface, which creates an insulated layer that reduces evaporation and transpiration. Spines also provide a little shade, lower temperature, and reduce water loss. Spines are good at capturing moisture from the air. 90030 90029 90084 Does it have a solid stem? 90085 If so, it probably does a great job of conserving water itself. The stem is the main organ a cactus uses to store water.Both the round shape of a globular cactus and the cylindrical shape of a columnar cactus have low surface-area-to-volume ratio and do a great job of storing water. If the central stem is ribbed, this allows the cactus to shrink or swell with water like an accordion. 90030 90029 90084 Is it small or large? 90085 In general, small cacti need less water than large ones. 90030 90047 90002 Is It a Cactus or Is It a Succulent? 90003 90004 «Succulent» is a larger umbrella term that describes any plant that stores water in its leaves or stems.Almost all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. 90005 90004 In general, cacti are even better at water storage than succulents are. 90017 Cactaceae 90018 have fleshy stems that store water, spiny or hairy coverings, and few (if any) leaves. 90005 90004 Most succulents have leaves; most cacti do not. Notice I said «most,» since the dividing line between succulents and cacti is blurry. 90005 90002 Cactus Nutrition: Do Cacti Need Fertilizer? 90003 90004 If you thought that the only thing you’d need to do to care for your cactus would be water it, I hate to be the one to disappoint you.But just like being watered, cacti need to be fed nutritional additives (natural fertilizers) on a regular basis. 90005 90004 Although they’re far more resilient than most other types of plants, cacti still need a good balance of fertilizers to help them thrive throughout their growing season. For most varieties of cacti, this is going to be in the warmer, more humid summer months. 90005 90004 However, there are many types that grow during the winter and lie dormant during the summer, so be sure to check the schedule for your specific species of cactus.While you still need to water cacti while they’re dormant, you do not need to worry about the fertilizer. Most cacti prefer many small feedings rather than one gigantic dose of fertilizer. 90005 90038 What kind of fertilizer should I use? 90039 90004 Use a low-nitrogen type. Any type that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen will do. 90005 90002 What Else Does a Cactus Need? 90003 90004 In addition to moisture and fertilizer, you’ll also want to consider light, temperature, soil, and pot size.90005 90038 How much sun does a cactus need? 90039 90004 Every type is different, but most cacti require a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight per day. If the plant is indoor, place it near a south- or east-facing window. They also like even exposure, so you’ll want to periodically rotate the pot. 90005 90038 What temperatures do cacti need to survive? 90039 90004 They can take temperatures from 45 ° F to 85 ° F without complaint, as long as they are dry. 90005 90038 What kind of pot should you use? 90039 90004 If you’re planting or re-planting in a pot, use one that’s just large enough to fit the cactus.This will help ensure that the roots dry as quickly as possible. Consider widening or adding holes to the bottom of the pot to make drain-time even quicker. 90005 90038 What kind of soil should you use? 90039 90004 Drainage is more important than potting material, but the soil should be porous (not clay). Succulents without spines or needles tend to appreciate more humus (organic matter) in their potting soil. 90005 90004 I was happy to discover that while a cactus ‘water schedule might be a little more demanding than I had originally thought, it’s still a whole lot easier than worrying about most other types of plants.90005 90004 I’m happy to report that my cactus is doing great, although I may still forget every once in a while! 90005 90004 If you’ve recently purchased a cactus, do not be intimidated-if I can keep my cactus growing, I promise that you can, too. 90005 .90000 How Often To Water a Cactus: Essential Guide 90001 90002 If you were to ask anyone to describe the cacti plants in the simplest way, they will most possibly include the words; thick, spiked, dry and desert. And in that simple definition, you will conclude that these plants are sturdy plants that can survive unrelenting climatic conditions. Nothing here is disputable. As a matter of fact, every character mentioned so far is correct. However, it’s not the only description these lovely plants deserve.90003 90002 Most people actually fail 90005 90006 to realize that cactus plants are a very vast and broad family of plants with more than 100 differing species under its belt. One kind is unique to the next, but all share a similarity of having thick, plump, fleshy stems. And another awesome thing about cacti is that they can survive almost all environments making suitable for household planting. As long as all their needs are met, they could add sparkle to your house window sill or your office desktop.Check out «9 Types of Cacti» to see more kinds of cacti out there. 90003 90008 Spiral Cactus @ohiotropics 90009 90005 Why Cacti Love Water So Much! 90006 90012 90002 Just like other plants, cacti need water for their survival. Their characteristic, fleshy appearance is as a result of the presence of h30 within its cells. The mere factor that they are hardy plants and are quite low-maintenance presents itself as both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that, for one with not so much time for plant care in their hands, they can still keep the little beauties.And a curse in that there is a thin line between under and overwatering them. Take a look at «When You Should Water Your Succulents» for more tips on watering your cactus. And many are the times we face the predicament on how often to water them. Well, we assure you that it is not as mindbending as you presume, but more straightforward than you could ever imagine! 90003 90015 Be sure to check out our 90005 Ebook 90006 «The Correct Way to Water Succulents» for a full guide to watering your succulents.90018 90009 90005 Factors That Influence The Watering Schedule Of Your Cactus 90006 90012 90023 90005 The Soil Composition 90006 90026 90002 These plants flourish in a well-draining, sufficiently ventilated coarse, gritty, loose, sandy soil. The soil must be light-weight with a minimal composition of organic matter. And we all know that mixing water and decomposing matter is a bad idea. It promotes root rot, eventually killing your cactus crop. The porous nature of your soil mix encourages fast water flowing such that the soil dries faster, allowing proper aeration.This means the more granular your soil mix is, the more frequent the watering. 90003 90002 Do not know what root rot is? Well take a look at «What is Root Rot & How Do You Fix It?» for more info to protecting your succulents from rotting. 90003 90031 Flowering Cactus @amazing__plants 90023 90005 The Season 90006 90026 90002 Of the four seasons, cacti plants thrive in the warmer ones: summer and spring when the watering is mostly done. This is because, during these seasons, the atmosphere is hotter.Consequently, the evaporation of water from the soil and the plant itself is at its highest making the soil dry. The colder seasons, however, the air is cooler, and evaporation is on the lower side; hence, the soil will lose less water. Undespitudedly, the watering is more frequent during the warmer seasons as compared to the colder seasons. 90003 90002 Check out how some succulents are able to survive in desert conditions like parts of Mexico in «5 Most Popular Succulents From Mexico». 90003 90023 90005 The Cactus Growing Cycle 90006 90026 90002 Every plant has a time in their life cycle that the growth is most active and durations when they go into dormancy.The productive seasons is when the plant grows upwards, blooms and even produces seeds giving rise to new offsprings. On the other hand, during their dormancy, the plants ‘growth slows down and preserves its energy getting ready for the active periods. And this influences how often one should water the cactus. This, consequently, goes without saying that irrigation is more frequent during its production cycle. 90003 90002 Additionally, younger cacti plants require more water because of their faster growth rate.Thinking of growing those succulent plants at home? Check out «How to Successfully Grow Indoor Succulents» for more. 90003 90023 90005 Location Of The Cact 90006 us Plant 90026 90002 This simply entails where the plant has been cultivated; indoors, outdoors, in a planter, or the ground. A cactus plant grown outside will be watered more regularly because of moving air which carries moisture from the soil. As compared to its counterpart 90005 90006 grown indoors, where the wind does not move more freely in the confinements of walls.Cacti plants borne in containers and the ground are both watered when the soil becomes dry. But the rate at which the dirt dries will be determined by other weather conditions. Notwithstanding, watering must be done to bypass the drying off of your plant. Take a look at «5 Succulents You can Grow in a Coffee Mug» for techniques in growing your succulent in different places. 90003 90002 90005 ALSO READ: 90006 90003 90060 Echeveria Setosa Deminuta @ nurcan.srbs 90023 90005 Exposure To Light 90006 90026 90002 It has been known that light goes hand in hand with the production of heat energy.This means that the more the exposure, the more radiation is produced, and the faster the transpiration and evaporation. A cactus plant and the soil exposed longer will, therefore, lose more water. And that dictates that the irrigation will be done more often since the soil will dry faster. Plants bred under grow lights will go by the same principle. The more the exposure, the more the watering. Do you grow your cactus under a grow light? Check out «Best Grow Lights Reviewed by Succulent Lovers».90003 90015 Be sure to check out our 90005 Ebook 90006 «Best Lighting Practices for Succulent Growth» for a full tutorial in lighting for your plants. 90018 90023 90005 Humidity 90006 90026 90002 The higher the humidity, the lower the rate of evaporation. And the lower the humidity, the higher the dissipation. Humid air contains a large amount of moisture within itself, which simply means there will be no space for evaporated water to occupy. And the vice-versa is so in a dry humid atmosphere.90003 90023 90005 Size Of Cacti Plant 90006 90026 90002 A bigger cactus plant has a smaller surface area to volume ratio, which decreases the amount of water that is evaporated. More miniature cactus, on the other hand, lose much water, meaning they will require more watering. Want to know more about larger sized cactus, go to «3 Popular Large Succulents You Do not Have» for more. 90003 90023 90005 Type and Size Of Pot 90006 90026 90002 The size of the pot will determine the number of times you will water your cactus in a week.Bigger containers with more soil mix will obviously need a higher water volume to wet the entire cactus pot. Although one should make sure the soil is porous not to harbor any extra water. 90003 90002 What the container will also influence is the rate at which you will water your crops. For instance, terracotta pots have porous walls that seep up water, which is evaporated through their walls. This dramatically reduces the time the potting mix takes to dry out completely. 90003 90002 Plastic containers, on the other hand, trap moisture, increasing the time duration between watering.90003 90002 90005 ALSO READ: 90006 90003 90097 Indoor Garden @tiendafloralia 90098 90002 Just like other succulents, a cactus plant should never be misted using spray bottles. Instead, they are watered in two ways. First, the pot is put inside a saucer with water and let to soak water up. The second method, and most common is watering the crop by soaking the soil surface. You should never water the plant overhead. Water contact with the plant should be at a minimum to avoid the onset of mold.90003 90002 Thank you for reading! Let us know in the comments below how you care for your cactus during the summer or spring season. Be sure to also check out related content for your gardening needs in «Repotting Succulents- the Right Way», «6 Best Fertilizers for Succulents», or «Best Gardening Tools for Succulents». 90003 90002 Did this article on how often to water cacti help answer your succulent-care questions? We sure hope so! If not, no worries. Succulent City is devoted to aiding all succulent lovers, and 90005 that’s why we created a line of ebook guides 90006! Check out our in-depth tips on «All the Types of Succulents for Indoor & Outdoor» or even «6 Most Important Tips to Grow Succulents» today! 90106 90003 90002 Happy planting! 🌵 90003 90110 90009 Post navigation 90012.90000 How Often Should I Water My Christmas Cactus? | Home Guides 90001 90002 By D. J. Bradford Updated December 14, 2018 90003 90002 Unlike many other cactus plants, the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is not a cactus from a hot, dry climate but rather one from a tropical climate. In the U.S. it is grown primarily as a houseplant but it can be grown outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 10 or warmer. As its name implies, the Christmas cactus blooms at Christmas.Keeping it healthy and blooming properly requires an understanding of its needs, such as how often to water it. 90003 90006 When and How Often to Water 90007 90002 Water your Christmas cactus when the top inch of the soil is dry. Always take into consideration the climate and time of year. If your cactus is outdoors in a hot, dry climate, you might need to water every two to three days, especially if the plant has been in the sun. If you keep the cactus indoors where it is cool or humid, it might need water only once a week.Water less during the fall and winter to help stimulate blooming. 90003 90010 Avoid Over-watering and Under-watering 90007 90002 Over-watering is a problem for the Christmas cactus just as it is for other kinds of cactus. Over-watering can lead to fungal rot diseases such as white rot and can cause leaves to drop. White rot disease is easily recognized by the white spots on the leaves. Because Christmas cactus is not a desert cactus but a tropical one, it can not take as much under-watering as other cactus species.If a Christmas cactus does not receive enough water, it will wilt and its flower buds will drop. Unlike a desert cactus, a Christmas cactus can not tolerate completely dry soil. To avoid problems with fungus, avoid overhead watering. 90003 90014 How to Maintain Humidity 90007 90002 The Christmas cactus does best in a humid environment. This is particularly important for gardeners living in a dry climate or whose homes have a dry indoor climate. The easiest way to provide humidity is to place a tray of water near your plant.The water evaporates into the atmosphere, providing the needed humidity. Another way is to put gravel in a dish and fill with water before placing the potted plant into it. Misting your cactus with a spray bottle can also provide humidity. 90003 90018 Other Growth Requirements 90007 90002 The Christmas cactus prefers bright indirect sunlight. If growing them indoors, protect them from direct southern or western sun exposure. They do best in warm temperatures, 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and will form buds when evening temperatures are 50 to 55 degrees.Throughout the winter, try to keep nighttime temperatures around 60 to 65 degrees. Avoid placing Christmas cactus in cold drafts and keep them away from sources of hot air such as heating vents or fireplaces. Fertilize in the spring as soon as tender growth appears. Use a liquid houseplant fertilizer every two to three weeks up to a month before the first blooms are expected to appear. 90003.90000 How Does a Cactus Live Without Water? 90001 90002 When you think of the desert, what comes to mind? You might think of a dry, dusty landscape. Long stretches of barren sand may also come to mind. Of course, there’s probably one other image that’s likely to pop into your brain. What are we talking about? The cactus, of course! 90003 90002 Any movie or cartoon ever set in the desert always features the cactus. Often, it’s pictured as a tall, green, prickly plant that manages to survive the desert heat without water.However, there are actually over 2,000 different types of cacti (that’s what you call more than one cactus) in the world. 90003 90002 Some cacti are tall, green, and prickly like the ones you may have seen in movies or cartoons. Those are often a specific type of cactus called the saguaro cactus. Many cacti, though, are much smaller and come in a variety of colors and shapes. 90003 90002 Cacti are native to the Americas and can be found from the southern tip of South America to western Canada in North America.They usually live in areas that are relatively dry. Many cacti thrive in areas that are extremely dry, such as the Atacama Desert — one of the driest places on Earth. 90003 90002 Like all living things, cacti need water to survive. Given the areas where they live, though, water is often scarce. To compensate, cacti have developed special abilities that allow them to conserve the water they do receive and make it last a long time. 90003 90002 For example, the prickly spines of cacti are actually highly-modified leaves.Spines protect cacti from animals that eat plants and also help to reduce water loss by restricting air flow near the cactus. 90003 90002 Most cacti have extensive, but shallow root systems that allow them to soak up any rainfall that may come their way. Specialized stems allow cacti to store water for a long time, since rainfall is often sporadic in the deserts that cacti call home. 90003 90002 For example, a fully-grown saguaro cactus can soak up and store up to 200 gallons of water during a good downpour! Many desert travelers have learned that, in an emergency, a cactus can be opened to find life-saving fluids.90003 .