The reason cacti always die on you has finally been found

Friends familiar with the cactus, this succulent plant, all know that it is famously easy to grow. After all, it has many advantages such as heat tolerance, drought tolerance, tolerance of poor soil, and tolerance of strong light, which shows that its vitality and ability to adapt to the environment are also very strong. But there are still some beginner growers who just cannot keep it alive no matter what. This may sound a bit unbelievable, but it is the truth. So, what is going on when cacti are always dying on you?

Everyone knows that the cactus is a very drought-tolerant plant. After all, it shares the common trait of succulent plants, which is a very strong ability to resist drought. Normally, when there is plenty of water, it absorbs the excess water and stores it in its stems and leaves, so that once the stems and leaves become plump, they look very strong and imposing. Add to that the sharp spines covering its whole body, and it makes people feel awe.

Precisely because it is drought-tolerant but not waterlogging-tolerant, many growers take a relatively conservative attitude toward watering management, afraid that it will get waterlogged. In fact, when growing cacti, it is truly not a matter of fearing that they will dry out, but fearing that they will get waterlogged. Otherwise, it easily causes root rot, and even stem and leaf rot. But at the same time, this also easily leads people into a misunderstanding, making them think that if they do not water it for a long time, it will not wither and die. And when cacti are always dying on you, it is very often caused by improper watering.

Actually, cacti not only need frequent watering, but the watering method also differs from season to season. Especially for cacti grown in pots, we should pay even more attention to watering management. Everyone should not be too lazy. It is itself a plant for lazy people. If even watering is skipped, then growers really are too neglectful, even lazier than the cactus, and over time problems are bound to appear.

1. How to water cacti in spring and autumn

Although the climate and environment in spring and autumn are suitable, with weather that is neither too cold nor too hot, and temperature and humidity that suit not only our human bodies but also cactus growth. Under such conditions, cacti can basically rely on the water stored in their own bodies to sustain growth for quite a while, and can also absorb some water from the air to promote growth. So in these two seasons, we do not need to water them much.

If you water too frequently, it instead easily causes water accumulation in the pot, leading to root rot, and the stems and leaves may also rot. Generally, keeping to watering it thoroughly once every two weeks is enough. For spring and autumn, growers can rest assured and grow them roughly, and do not need to worry too much about watering. Once every ten days to half a month is enough. After all, cacti have little demand for watering in these two seasons.

2. How to water cacti in summer

In summer, not only is the weather hot and the temperature high, but sometimes the air is also very dry. Under such an environment, cacti tend to transpire more water and consume more themselves, so when it comes to watering, you must do it more frequently than in spring and autumn. Growers must not be too lazy. In this case, it is generally more suitable to keep watering the potted cactus thoroughly once a week.

But if there is a long drought with no rain, we can keep watering it about once every 5 days. And if the potted cactus is kept in an air-conditioned room for care, it is generally more reasonable to keep watering about once every 10 days. Of course, in the rainy season, water must be strictly controlled, and the watering frequency should be appropriately reduced according to the weather. It is also best not to let it get rained on. When it comes to watering potted cacti in summer, it is mainly enough to do this part of the work well.

3. How to water cacti in winter

Because winter temperatures are low, some mist usually forms in the air, and a large part of that mist is water. Cacti can absorb some water through the mist. In addition, because the temperature is low, cacti grow slowly, and both water transpiration and their own consumption are relatively low, so in winter cacti must have their water strictly controlled. If watered excessively, it not only easily lowers the cactus's ability to resist the cold, but also easily makes the cactus rot.

So throughout winter, you basically do not need to water it much at all. Keeping to watering it once every two months is enough. Moreover, in many cases, watering it once during the whole winter will not cause it to wither and die. Normally, keeping the potting soil in a slightly dry state can instead better improve its cold resistance, thereby reducing the chance of frost damage.

And even when watering cacti normally, the part you water is also very important. Generally, pour the water onto the potting soil, and do not wet the cactus's growing point. Otherwise, it easily harms the growing point and affects its sprouting. And in severe cases, rot may even start from the growing point, bringing us unnecessary losses.