Tools and Materials
Tools
Long handle tweezers
Potting tools
- Gloves wrapped with duct tape
Materials
- Duct tape
Cactus potting mix
Gravel or Pebbles
Before You Begin
Always
wear gloves
covered with duct tape when working with cactus to protect your
hands from sharp spines.
Repotting
or trimming cactus should be done with caution since accidental pricks can be
painful.
Things to Know About Cactus
- These plants are well adapted to dry environments. So, relatively drier areas such as basements or places with less air circulation and more heated areas work well for their growth.
- The size of their container limits them, but their stems can grow out of it into spreading clusters, straight columns or prickly decorative balls.
- Cacti can live for many years if taken good care of.
Types of Cactus
Learn
about the different types of cactus and how to care for them to ensure their
health and longevity.
Succulents
- Succulents are a group of cacti that store water in their leaves.
- Typically, their leaves are fleshy and thick.
- Succulents thrive better in dry conditions and do not perform well in high humidity.
Mimicry Plant
- Mimicry plants are often referred to as mesembs. They have two fleshy leaves that are fused together, creating a cleft that often contains a flower.
- They are succulents that blend in with rocks and look alike due to their unique leaf shapes, textures and patterns.
Care For a Cactus
Learn and follow the steps to take care of a cactus.
- Bright, indirect sunlight is ideal for cactus growth.
- During the growth season (spring and summer), water every 2–3 weeks. Do not overwater the cactus.
- In the winter, reduce watering to once a month or even less.
- Ensure the soil is completely dry before you water the plant.
- Use a well-draining cactus potting mix. It should include sand, which helps improve drainage, vermiculite, to help retain moisture in the soil and grit, to help prevent the roots from rotting.
Keep them away from
direct sunlight, especially in the hot summer as they may grow at a slower rate
and become skinny.
Cactus
can withstand droughts and would rather be underwatered than overwatered.
Care for a Succulent
- Succulents should only be watered once the soil is totally dry.
- To water your succulents, set the planter on a plant saucer filled with shallow water.
- Wait until the water is absorbed into the soil and then remove the planter from the saucer.
- Keep them in containers with drainage holes otherwise, their roots will rot.
- Plant it in the cactus potting mix (mentioned above).
- Succulents grow in moderate temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 degrees, so place them near a window indoors or outside on a covered patio.
- If your succulents are in pots, repot them every year with new soil since salts from water accumulation in the soil can damage the plants.
- During the winter most succulents become inactive and stop growing so do not water them.
Do not
overwater, as the leaves will fall off easily.
Unlike
cactus, succulent plants cannot take extreme heat.
Care for Mimicry Plant
- Keep them in sunny locations and avoid direct sunlight as it might burn the leaves.
- Use distilled water as tap water contains minerals that can be harmful to the plant.
- Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase humidity.
- Use a plastic pot to help stop the loss of nutrients and to help preserve moisture.
Maintenance
- Cactus plants are low maintenance but they do require a few essential nutrients for maximum development.
- Ensure that they receive bright, indirect sunshine and are watered minimally, allowing the soil to dry fully between watering.
- Repot your cactus every few years to provide new soil and avoid root rot.