Perfect watering rules: how to water a cactus at home in summer and winter?

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Ficus fertilization is carried out with both organic and mineral products

• waste products of birds and domestic animals;
• vegetable compost mixtures.

Mineral dressing means chemical compounds:

• mountain minerals;
• salt;
• industrial waste.

Application frequency

Ficus fertilizing is carried out infrequently

They should be abundant, this is especially important for mature plants that have an extensive leafy crown.

Large ficuses will severely drain the potting soil. To eliminate this problem, you need to add nutrients.

The mode and rate of fertilization depends on the season:

• In summer and spring, the interval is 10-14 days.
• In winter, ficus is not fertilized.

Application methods

The plant is fed by root and foliar method.

• The first contributes to the normal development of the root system.
• Foliar allows you to strengthen the immunity of the plant and protect it from the development of diseases.

1. Foliar dressing can be done by "dusting" the plant. This procedure helps to get rid of pests and diseases.
2. The second option for foliar fertilization is through the soil. In this way, you need to make preparations during the period of active growth - from spring to mid-autumn. The nutrient mixture is applied to wet soil.

When to water more or less cacti

Almost all cacti prefer cold (or at least cool) wintering, but not every owner can provide this, and then cacti hibernate at normal room temperature, which can be 18-25 ° C. With such a warm wintering, cacti are watered less often than in summer (at the same temperature), the earth should have time to dry out well.

In most cacti, flowering is not associated with the growth period, i.e. and in winter, during the dormant period, cacti can bloom. Since watering is sharply reduced during the dormant period, the question often arises of how to water cacti blooming in winter. In this case, watering should be a little more or more often than if the plants were not blooming, but you definitely need to water much less often than in spring and summer.

Very often, when watering with hard water containing a lot of lime, light brown raids form on the stem of the cactus at the base, which eventually turn into crusty growths and are not removed. Most often this happens in cacti that do not have thorns or with small, sparse thorns. It is not uncommon for such a phenomenon to be mistaken for a disease, but it is salt deposits from the water, which are eaten into the tissues of the cactus. Therefore, it is recommended to water the cacti with boiled or filtered water.

What conditions are needed for a cactus in summer

The summer period is most interesting for the cactus grower.With competent and careful care, cacti delight their owner with good growth, powerful beautiful spines and abundant flowering. At this time, overdrying the earthen coma in pots is undesirable, it adversely affects the growth of cacti, and in combination with high temperature and dry air can lead to reddening of the epidermis in some types of cacti and even burns.

In the middle lane, the summer is rather short, and already at the end of August it is advisable to track daytime and especially nighttime temperatures. Watering at this time is done less frequently and less abundantly. In favorable weather, many species still bloom, but the growth of plants is already ending, and the collection must be gradually prepared for wintering. In September, daily temperatures drop even more, respectively, reduce or stop watering, carrying it out only on warm favorable days. At this time and later, you should not spray cacti, since in some species, spraying stimulates growth, and with a lack of light and heat, the stems will certainly be spoiled.

Transplant problems

Sometimes replanting a cactus is not easy, for several reasons.

Transplanting a Broken Cactus

If the stem is broken, don't panic. You need to cut it off slightly below the damage, sprinkle with crushed coal and place in a pot with a mixture of soil for succulents and sand.

The cactus is strengthened with top drainage and is not watered, only sprayed.

An unconventional option for planting cacti

With an unconventional planting method, gravel can be used instead of an earthen substrate. Fine and very fine gravel is mixed and poured into the pot during transplanting.

Transplanting a large cactus to another pot

There are no fundamental differences. It is better to transplant large plants together, otherwise there is a great chance of breaking the plant. And besides thick gloves, you will need tarpaulin aprons.

A transplant is necessary for cacti, but it is important to follow the sequence of actions so as not to harm the pet

Watering methods for cacti

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At home, cacti can be watered in several ways.

Spraying, in principle, can be carried out, but cacti do not need this procedure at all

• Simple watering of the ground from above is suitable for young flower growers who have not yet gotten the hang of caring for cacti. Water simply pours onto the ground, preferably at the edge of the pot, under the wall. It must not fall on the cactus itself!
• Watering from below, in a pallet, is suitable for those flower growers who already know how to grow cacti. Such watering is considered preferable, but in this case it is more difficult to understand how saturated the soil is and how many times a month to water the crop.
• Sometimes cacti are watered by soil soaking - the pot is placed in a basin of warm water for 15-20 minutes. During this time, the soil will be completely saturated with water, the roots will take as much water as they need, and then the pot is taken out of the water and placed in a tray. In this case, excess water will drain into the sump, and it must be drained in a timely manner.
• Spraying, in principle, can be carried out, but cacti do not need this procedure at all (although spraying is loved by tropical varieties). This is usually done if dust has accumulated on the culture, there is dirt. For this, water is taken warm, and spraying is done from a fine spray bottle so that there are no large drops of water.

Important!
All excess water in the pan, which is there for a long time, must be drained, otherwise rot may begin to develop

Water needs

Unlike other indoor plants, succulents do not need to be watered too often, even if the earthy clod in which they grow is well dried out.Drought-resistant plants tend to accumulate the resulting water in a specialized tissue - water-storing parenchyma, and in this state they can exist for a considerable amount of time.

Succulent plants, in the course of their evolution, acquired the skills of survival in their native arid climate, therefore, in other latitudes they can live without water for several weeks, or even months.

The moisture reserve of succulents occurs in:

• thick stems (most cacti and milkweed);
• dense leaves (lithops, aloe).

The reduction in the amount of evaporation of water occurs due to several points.

• Some species have a waxy film (cuticle).
• Leaves and stems are rounded.
• Endowed with a small number of respiratory pores (a large amount of moisture evaporates through them). They are closed during the day.
• With a prolonged dry period, the aerial part of the body gradually dries up in many succulents, but the plant itself does not die. In certain specimens, this part dies off (completely or in places), but over time it will grow back if the plant is watered in time.

Taking home a succulent, you need to remember the main rule: it is better not to overflow this type of plant.

Before you start watering, you need to make sure that the succulent really needs water. It is worth touching the earthen lump, if it has dried out to the degree of a solid crust, the plant needs to be watered. The interval between watering succulents depends on their age and size. So, miniature and young specimens need to be watered more often, but in small portions, trying not to get on the aboveground part, unlike adult representatives.

Adult succulents are watered in large doses, especially in summer. Large plants are not afraid of water ingress on the tissues of the leaves and trunk.

Caring for prickly pear at home

The tropical prickly pear cactus needs home care. For flowering, you must observe all the features of caring for a cactus. Monitor watering, feeding and lighting, and change the soil if necessary.

Temperature and humidity

Since the plant is tropical, it tolerates heat well. The optimum temperature is + 25-30 ° С. During the summer, it is better to keep the pot outside the house, in the fresh air. If this is not possible, then the room is regularly ventilated.

Before wintering, the temperature of the content is reduced to 5 ° C. If you make it at least a degree higher, then the cactus will not be able to go into a dormant state.

The humidity of the room does not play a big role. A succulent plant will be able to tolerate both dry air and humid air. Therefore, there is no need to spray.

Important! During the dormant period, succulent is introduced at the end of October.

Opuntia in the ground

Lighting

It is advisable to place the plant in a well-lit area. The succulent is tropical, therefore it requires a lot of sunlight. If daylight hours are not enough, then the cactus is illuminated with a special lamp for up to 12 hours a day.

Soil and fertilizing

Opuntia has its own special requirements for the choice of soil. Regular store-bought cactus soil is not suitable. It stops growing. You need to prepare the mixture yourself. To do this, take:

• sod land;
• leaf substrate;
• dry clay;
• sand;
• charcoal.

All components are mixed in equal proportions. Then the mixture is sprinkled on a baking sheet in an even layer and calcined in the oven at 100 ° C. This is necessary to destroy harmful bacteria and fungi that may be in the ground or sand. Thus, they prevent the infection of the cactus with diseases.

You can feed prickly pear only with mineral fertilizers for succulents and cacti. It is prohibited to use organic fertilizers. The procedure is carried out every 2 weeks during the growing season. During rest, the succulent is not fed, this is not necessary.

Watering

Opuntia accumulates a large amount of liquid in the leaves and stems. Water the cactus as the soil dries up.Since it is kept in the heat, irrigation is often done. The larger the plant, the more water it will consume.

Important! Do not overflow succulent, as this will cause rot and death

Cactus with pink flowers

How to water different species?

As noted, rainforest plants need water more than their desert cousins. They are epiphytes and attach to larger specimens, but do not feed on them. Thanks to the air roots, these cacti are able to extract moisture even from the air. Inhabitants of deserts are accustomed to a different climate and are much more drought-resistant.

Tropical cacti

They are supportive of spraying, moreover, in hot weather or in dry air, due to the operation of heating devices, it is recommended to irrigate them periodically. But they do not tolerate complete drying out of the soil.

How often should one or another forest cactus be watered at home, depending on the type? The most common varieties are worth considering.

Rhipsalidopsis - it is also called the "Easter bush". From the beginning of spring to September, this succulent is watered once a week and a half, in winter - once every 3-5 days. It should be borne in mind that during flowering, the substrate in a pot of ripsalidopsis should be constantly slightly damp.

Schlumberger (Decembrist, Christmas cactus or barbarian scythe) - moisture is applied every 3-5 days from June to September, the same regime is maintained during its flowering. From October until the beginning of flowering, the succulent is watered weekly, the rest of the time - a couple of times a month.

Pereskia - watering a flower in the spring-summer period, one should be guided by the state of the upper soil layer. Moisture is brought in when it dries. In autumn, the number of waterings is gradually reduced to once every 4-5 weeks and the regime is maintained throughout the winter.

Epiphyllum (earlier these succulents were called phyllocactus) - from mid-November to March, gentle watering is recommended - once every 2 weeks. In spring and summer, this is done more often, when the soil becomes dry to the touch, but still contains a little moisture.

These are just a few of the huge group of epiphytic succulents that have been successfully adapted to indoor living. And the number of times such cacti need to be watered is related to their needs in a particular season or life cycle.

Desert cacti

The sparse desert landscape, where golden sands stretch for many kilometers, are often adorned with these hardy, harsh plants. In fact, not all cacti look like imposing columns with thorns; among them there are very small specimens and even varieties devoid of thorns and other means of protection. But, regardless of appearance and size, they are all accustomed to droughts and the scorching sun. Similar "flowers" are found in stony, arid areas.

So how often to water such a viable and unpretentious cacti? As it turned out, it is highly discouraged to arrange for them "resistance tests" at home and leave them without water for a long time. And also you can not water them on a par with other home vegetation.

Acriocarpus - this peculiar spineless star requires a minimum of moisture. Even during an active growing season - in the spring it is enough to water it once every 3 weeks, when the soil is completely dry. In the summer, one watering is enough, and in winter the flower does without these procedures at all. Do not allow water to get on the leaves of the succulent; spraying it is also contraindicated.

Cephalocereus and Echinopsis - these cacti, common in home floriculture, are not watered in winter; during the growing season, one watering per week is enough for them.

Gymnocalycium - like the cacti of the previous species, these small hedgehog balls should not be watered in winter. In the spring-summer period, moisture is applied once every 1-1.5 weeks, in the fall and even less often - monthly.

A parody - from late spring to early autumn, these flowering succulents are enough for one watering in 1.5-2 weeks, in autumn and winter - a month.

Opuntia - this popular cactus also does not need a lot of moisture. From spring to mid-October, it is enough to spill the soil once every 4 weeks, in winter it does without watering at all.

It is recommended to wipe the leaves of desert succulents with a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust, but if it is covered with villi, then it is better to refuse this procedure. In this case, you can follow the advice of experienced cactus growers - blow the "fluffy" pets with a hairdryer, using the cold air mode.

Undoubtedly, the watering regime is extremely important when caring for any home vegetation.

But, it is equally important to use suitable water for these purposes.

What soil to choose

As for the soil, it is better to purchase it for exotic flowers in specialized stores. You can also make the primer for needle pets yourself at home.

Important: self-prepared soil should be disinfected in the oven. You need to pick up leafy soil, some humus and turf, some sand (preferably river), as well as charcoal and brick chips

This composition makes the soil loose and guarantees excellent moisture conductivity.

You need to pick up leafy soil, some humus and turf, some sand (preferably river), as well as charcoal and brick chips. This composition makes the soil loose and guarantees excellent moisture conductivity.

How to water a cactus in winter

In winter, the air temperature for a cactus should not be higher than + 18 degrees. The most suitable place is a cold windowsill, but so that there are no drafts. If the cactus is grown at a high temperature, moisture will evaporate and the plant will dry out.

The best option for a cactus is low light and coolness. Under such conditions, it is enough to water the cactus once a month.

With the arrival of spring and an increase in daylight hours, the cactus begins to grow. You need to start watering the cactus from mid-April, when the warm weather is established. In order for the plant to adapt faster to the coming season, it is necessary to gradually increase watering. Now the plant needs to be watered twice a month, this will be enough.

After a long winter, the cactus may become smaller than it was before. But do not worry, this is due to the prolonged rest during the winter period.

What water to water a cactus during flowering

A healthy and strong cactus, it can bloom even if not watered. But still, on a sunny day, the soil needs to be moistened. If the cactus is weak, it will not have enough strength for abundant flowering, without watering. During flowering, do not turn the pot over so as not to damage the buds.

Use boiled or distilled water for irrigation. Regular running water will not work. Avoid getting water on the cactus, you only need to water the soil around it. It is necessary to distribute water evenly. Spray the cactus every day until dew appears on the surface of the plant.

If you water cacti with plain water at the bottom of the plant, light brown spots may appear. Gradually, they will turn into a crusty outgrowth. Inexperienced growers confuse this with diseases, in fact, these are salt deposits. They absorb the cactus, and to prevent this from happening to your cactus, pour boiled or filtered water.

Important to remember

• Use warm water (not lower than + 12 degrees), set aside for several days.
• Water in the morning in winter and in the evening in summer.
• Use drainage when planting the plant so that there is no stagnant water.
• Avoid getting water on the cactus, water the soil around it.
• Avoid overflow.
• During the flowering of the cactus, do not abuse watering, otherwise the buds will turn into shoots.
• If the temperature is low and the humidity is high, you need to water less often.
• When the cactus blooms, do not move it and turn it over, the buds may fall off.

Observing the rules of watering, your cacti will delight you for a long time with their charming flowering.

Recommendations on how to properly transplant a cactus

If the transplanted cacti have no obvious damage and the roots were not trimmed, their root systems can not be dried, but immediately transplanted into fresh soil. You just need to take care that the soil is in proper condition. The transplanted cacti are kept in a warm, bright place, but not in the sun.

Many cacti require larger pots when replanting. In principle, a large pot is always preferable. The main obstacle to this is the limited area of ​​the window sill reserved for the collection, so a reasonable compromise has to be found. When transplanting, sometimes it is necessary to reckon not only with the size of the roots, but also with the size of the stem. Some species with a large stem have relatively weak and small roots. Large taproots should not rest against the bottom of the pot. This leads to a cactus growth arrest and root rot. For some species with a large taproot, the pots have to be significantly increased in height.

Ways to water a cactus

Above

The most common way to moisten the soil is by watering from above. In this case, it is worth recalling once again that it is impossible to wet the plant during watering. It is necessary to moisten only the soil in which the cactus grows, and it is better to moisten the entire area at once, and not several times little by little. So, if the soil is partially moistened, the water will evaporate before reaching the roots of the cactus. Such watering will be absolutely useless, and the roots will not receive the moisture they need.

If water is collected in the pan after watering, it must be poured out, since excessive moisture negatively affects the plant. Such watering is optimal for beginner flower growers.

Through the pallet

The best option, when watering the cactus is most effective, is watering in the pan where the pot is. Thus, water slowly penetrates into the soil and nourishes the roots of the plant, which are just at the cactus at the very bottom of the pot. Thus, the plant itself draws moisture from the pallet, and waterlogging of the soil with this method of irrigation is excluded.

The advantage of this watering is the fact that the roots of the plant are moistened first.

Having found out the dependence of the frequency of watering a cactus on the weather, its origin, location and other factors, it is worth understanding the technical nuances of the issue.

You can't water like that

Watering from above

Do not pour water on top of the pot, grabbing the stem and flower of the succulent. Water should flow to the plant from the root, and the stem can only be slightly sprayed from the smallest diffuser if a lot of dust, sand or cobweb has collected on it.

You can water the cactus from above, but the main task is to protect the stem from unnecessary droplets. You will need a small, narrow-necked water container to control the water supply. With top irrigation, you need to try to give so much water that the entire lump of substrate in the pot is immediately saturated, and the water reaches the roots.

Important! Irrigation of the plant gradually and in small portions from above is not recommended, because it is much easier to overfill the plant and create unfavorable conditions for it.

Watering the pallet

This option requires a little more preparation, but is more advantageous:

• Water is guaranteed not to hit the stem and will not harm the development and growth of the succulent.
• The short root system of the cactus will receive better and faster feeding.
• Mineral substances from additives and substrate will be washed out much more, providing the plant with a favorable environment for development, reproduction and flowering.

Cacti in an individual pallet

During sump watering, it is most difficult to track how much moisture has entered each pot, so if cacti are capricious and need a separate irrigation regime, it is better not to experiment. If it is difficult to determine how wet the soil is, it makes sense to buy a special device for measuring moisture and adjust the soil moisture plan according to its indicators.

Important! In 20-30 minutes after watering, it is necessary to remove excess water from the pan to avoid excessive moisture in the succulent roots.

When transplanting a plant, you need to moisten the soil after transferring it to another container and leave it for a while, observing the condition. Succulents experience some stress, so they may consume less fluid.

Irrigation specifics depending on the season

Also, a lot depends on the place where your cactus stands and the material from which the pot is made. If the window is oriented to the south or east, sunny and hot, it should be watered more often, if the window is shaded or oriented to the north or west - less often. If a cactus grows in a ceramic pot, then it is watered more often, in a plastic one - less often.

Although the life cycle of a succulent is the most important indicator, a different strategy is needed in different seasons.

In autumn

Succulents really go into a state similar to a dream: they need to be placed in a dark, cool place, and watering should be reduced to a minimum. If in the fall the frequency of watering the cactus was once a month, then in winter it will be enough once or twice for the entire season.

Important! Do not be afraid if your pet shrinks slightly - this is normal behavior and not at all a sign that something was done wrong

In the spring

Spring awakening is rather slow, so the plants completely return to their previous state by mid-late April. The main sign that the plant is entering the vegetative period is the appearance of new needles at the top and fresh greenery.

First, you only need to slightly moisten the substrate, preferably with hot water. This will help the plant wake up faster. If the weather is sunny, and the plant is "active", you need to continue to water it gradually in the morning after the soil is completely dry. Then gradually increase the frequency of watering up to once every 7-10 days.

Important! In the summer, watering the cactus should be more frequent, especially if it is in the sun. But on rainy days and with high humidity, there is no need to water - the plant will take everything from the air.