The biggest misconception of most people is that the cactus is a very unpretentious plant that does not need special care. In fact, the quantity and quality of watering a cactus is determined by its type and season.
Proper care of a cactus
One of the most common mistakes is the belief that cacti are cared for like other houseplants. And in most cases it is very harmful to the plant. Cacti need to be watered, but in moderation, and if you are making a watering schedule for your plants, you need to make it separate for the cactus.
If the cactus becomes lethargic and wrinkled, this is a sign that you are watering it too much, but if it starts to dry out, then there is too little water. A cactus can only be watered if the plant is completely healthy. After transplanting into another pot or after an illness, it is better not to water the plant for a while. Only absolutely healthy roots absorb water.
How to find the optimal watering regime for a cactus is a very difficult question, and most often it can only be learned with time and experience. Since, under different conditions, the requirements of the plant are also different. The most common care method is to simulate the natural environment for the plant, depending on the season.
Seasonal watering
The cactus must be watered when spring has come - the temperature rises, the daylight hours become longer, and the plant begins to wake up after wintering. In this case, you need not to rush, but carefully observe the plant. To wake up the cactus, do a small sprinkle in the early morning. Condensation will drain to the base and signal the plant that spring is approaching. After new needles or small buds appear, you can water the soil well. At the same time, you can not save, since the first watering should be good, however, provided that the water drainage works well. If water remains in the soil for a long time, this will lead to root rot.
In the spring, you need to especially carefully monitor the air temperature, because if you water the cactus abundantly at a low temperature (less than + 10 ° C), the plant may die.
In summer, the cactus can be watered more often, while observing a simple rule - never water wet or even damp soil. Watering can be done both through the soil and through the pallet. Both methods have their pros and cons, so if the plant responds well to both methods, it is best to combine them.
With the arrival of autumn, the cactus needs to be watered less and less and the amount of water should be reduced. The plant must be prepared for winter. The soil should be dry by November. Winter is a period of calm for a cactus, and if you gradually reduce its watering, then this plant will easily endure several months without water. An important condition in this case is the ability to find a cool place for the cactus where the temperature will not be higher than + 18 ° C, so it is better to remove it from the windowsill.
