How to care for cactus & succulents

Cacti and succulents are among the easiest plants to grow. With a minimum of basic care they will give you pleasure for years. Unlike most other plants, they actually thrive on the low humidity found in today’s homes and apartments. So if you’ve been unlucky with the foliage plants, you might to try your hand at cacti and/or succulents.
A Few Do’s and Don’ts

• Do give plants plenty of light. As their natural habitat is the desert; you should keep them in the sunniest window.
• Don’t overwater. Overwatering will cause their roots to rot. Do use tepid water. Cold water can shock the plants.
• Don’t set plants in too big a container because it will retain too much water and this could rot the plant.

Watering

• To water your plants properly consider the type of plant, its size, the time of year and the kind of container. Cacti should be allowed to dry out thoroughly between waterings. Let the soil of succulents become only moderately dry. In the winter water only enough to keep the plant from shrivelling. Large cacti require less frequent watering as they can store more water. Plastic pots do not lose moisture as quly as clay pots, so more frequent watering is needed if plants are in a clay pot

Temperature

• Generally the daytime temperature should be 21-26°C (70-79°F), and during the night, 10-12°C (50-54°F) should be maintained. For best flowering, winter temperatures of 10-12°C (50-54°F) should be maintained day and night.

Potting Medium

• The soils of arid regions are generally high in mineral foods, lime and even decaying organic matter and these elements must be supplied for healthy growth of all cacti and succulents. When re-potting, use White Rose Cactus Soil for all your plant’s nutritional needs. Try mixing several small cacti and succulents with a stone or piece of driftwood in any container which will hold some soil. You’ll be amazed at the interesting garden “scenes” you can create!

Feeding

• The active growing season for most cacti begins early spring till summer. This is also the period for increased feeding; fertilizers high in phosphorus and potassium should be used. Organic fertilizers such as liquid fish fertilizer may be alternated with commercial inorganic fertilizers for best flower bud development.

Pests and Diseases
Like all other plants, cacti and succulents are troubled by pests and diseases However, if the plants are given reasonable care they should remain healthy.

Pest	Description	Effects	Control
Aphids	brown, green or red	distortion of young growth	Malathion
Mealy Bug	Fuzzy, white cotton	distortion of leaves and growth	Malathion
Scale	Brown, hard shelled; about 3mm (1/8″) diameter	Plant loses vigor	Malathion
Whiteflies	swarming winged insects	leaves become yellow or stippled	Malathion
Red Spider Mites	make fine webs at leaf and stem axils	leaves become gray or brown	Safer’s Insecticidal Soap or Trounce
Mildew & Botrytis (sometimes attack succulents)	leaves become white or grey-coated		Cut away infected parts and dust with Benomyl

NOTE: ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE PESTICIDE LABEL!

OTHER COMMON PROBLEMS:

Symptom	Control
leaves or stems turning yellow	The plant is too dry and in too much heat. Provide more moisture and better ventilation.
elongated leaves or stems	Not enough light.
soft or mushy growth	Too much water, too low a temperature and possibly not enough light. Cut away infected parts and dust with Benomyl.
transparent look	Usually frost damage – keep dry and move to warmer spot.
no growth	Soil may be compacted or roots may be injured. Repot in fresh soil.
flower buds drop	Temperature is fluctuating or is too low, move plant.
no flowers or very few	Plant has not had sufficient rest period, not enough sunlight or improper winter temperatures.

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Courtesy White Rose Nursery.