Comments on: How to Care For Cacti https://planethouseplant.com/plant-profile-how-to-care-for-cacti/ Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:24:15 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Caroline https://planethouseplant.com/plant-profile-how-to-care-for-cacti/#comment-3282 Sun, 29 Aug 2021 08:11:52 +0000 https://planethouseplant.com/?p=412#comment-3282 In reply to Marieke.

Yay, I’m so glad!

I watched a programme once about professional cactus growers and they water their plants quite often (like, weekly) but then use a blow dryer-type thing to dry the soil out after. Apparently the frequent watering encourages fast growth and the drying out of the soil stops root rot. I need to try to get one of these soil dryer-out things and review it!

]]> By: Marieke https://planethouseplant.com/plant-profile-how-to-care-for-cacti/#comment-3228 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 12:30:20 +0000 https://planethouseplant.com/?p=412#comment-3228 Hi Caroline! Quick follow up – I’m extremely afraid of overwatering 🙂 A good soak helped the cactus immensely! Thank you!

]]> By: Caroline https://planethouseplant.com/plant-profile-how-to-care-for-cacti/#comment-3122 Thu, 12 Aug 2021 09:13:00 +0000 https://planethouseplant.com/?p=412#comment-3122 In reply to Marieke.

Can you increase the light a bit? That’s usually a great way to help cacti, even if it doesn’t address the root of the issue.

It does sound like root rot or possibly high humidity BUT my ponytail palm goes mushy like that when it’s under watered, so you might be right – especially since root rot is usually accompanied by discolouration.

Could the soil be hydrophobic? Try bottom watering to make sure the soil is actually getting to the roots.

]]> By: Marieke https://planethouseplant.com/plant-profile-how-to-care-for-cacti/#comment-3080 Sun, 08 Aug 2021 16:44:53 +0000 https://planethouseplant.com/?p=412#comment-3080 Hi! Suggestions as to why my fishhook cactus (?) is going soft at the top? I water it in summer once a month thoroughly, in winter maybe every three months. It has lots of indirect sun and maybe two hours of late afternoon direct sun. It had a grow spurt this summer since moved it closer to the window and had to turn it regularly since the top is bending to the window. Originally I thought it was because the top moved to the light all the time and it grew quite quickly, but now I notice the softness spreads slowly to the sturdy base (noooooooooooo!!). There is no root rot, no discernible bugs, no discolouring, no oozing, no mould. Reading your article it might be too little water..? But would that affect problems from the top? Should I just cut it off (oh my poor baby!)?
I know it’s hard to tell from description, but I will be grateful for any suggestion! Thanks!

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