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Cacti are the family of succulent plants characterized by, among other things, their resistance to drought and their thorns. These plants, whose scientific name is Cactaceae, They are almost entirely native to America, and are very popular in gardening and decoration for their exotic shapes and great resistance. However, despite requiring very little care, irrigation is a vital point in its cultivation. Most of them tolerate drought exceptionally well, but overwatering cacti can prove fatal.
If you want to learn how often and how to water the cacti To take care of yours properly, join us in this Green Ecologist article in which you can learn a practical guide on watering these popular plants.
How often to water the cacti
There is never an exact answer when it comes to knowing the cacti watering frequencyThis depends not only on the type of cactus, but also on the substrate and the climate, among other factors. Let's see the main factors to take into account:
- Cactus size: Like all succulent plants, cacti have the ability to store water inside. This means that the larger the cactus, the more water it is able to retain, and therefore the longer it is able to resist without irrigation.
- Container material: not all materials retain moisture in the same way. A plastic pot or container, especially if it is partially or completely transparent, lets in the sun's rays and retains much less moisture. The mud, on the other hand, is porous and favors perspiration, but does not allow the sun to pass through, so watering will be necessary less frequently.
- Weather: Obviously, the local climate is one of the most influencing factors. The intensity of the sun's rays, the environmental humidity and the temperature are decisive when it comes to seeing how much moisture the cactus loses. In hot climates you will need to water your cactus more often, while climates with high humidity will help the substrate retain it for longer, making you water less.
In conclusion, we can say that you must water a cactus only when the substrate has dried beyond the surface layer, since the roots do not tolerate being always wet, and in case of high humidity they will rot. This can mean anything from watering once a month in the winter months for large cacti, to up to twice a week in the warm months, and for small cacti exposed to the sun.
If your plant begins to wrinkle, losing volume as if it were deflating, it is an unequivocal symptom of lack of watering in cactus, so you will have to water it a little more.
How to water cacti - tips
Take note of these tips for watering cacti correctly and get them to be healthy and grow well.
- When watering cacti, it is always preferable to use a watering can, if possible with a flower or small tip, which does not disperse the water too much.
- Water trying wet the substrate around the cactus, but not the plant itself. This will allow moisture to penetrate under the surface without accumulating directly on the plant itself, which could attract fungal attack. In the event that this happens, take note of these Homemade Cactus Fungicides.
- With cacti, it is vital that the container they are in has drainage holes so that excess moisture can escape through them. Ideally, you should not put a plate under the pot or planter, but if necessary, remove the excess water 10 minutes after watering.
- If you chose at some point for the immersion irrigation for a cactusRemember to submerge the base of the pot in water only for 10 minutes and then leave the pot upright so that the excess water can drain well.
- Water slowly and, at most, until the water starts to drip down the drain. Do not pour large amounts of water at once, or the ground will puddle and you will have watered too much by the time you see the water seep in.
- It is also important to never water at times when the sun is shining directly on the cactus, since the drops of water can have a magnifying effect and cause the sun to burn the plant.
- The best time to water is, as with almost all plants, at first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- Always use a suitable irrigation water for cacti, as we will explain below.
What water to use for watering cacti - the best
Some cacti can be watered easily with tap water, while others will not tolerate very hard or mineral laden waters. This depends mainly on the type of plant and, of course, the type of running water in your area. If you see that your cactus begins to show some whitish spots, it is that the irrigation water you use is not suitable for it. What then is the best water for irrigation of cacti?
- The most natural is always better, so the water that is best for you is rain, unless you live in a city with a lot of pollution and to use it before you have to filter it.
- If you can not collect rainwater, it is best to resort to weakly mineralized bottled water.
- If this is also not possible, you should at least leave stand the tap water for 24 or 48 hours before using it to water your cacti and remember not to pour it completely, but to leave the bottom part in the shower or bucket without using it.
Here are some tips on How to recycle rainwater for consumption and How to make a homemade water filter in case you prefer to filter the rainwater in your area before using it on cacti.
If you want to read more articles similar to Water the cacti: how often and how to do it, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.
