Cactus and Succulents

Since most cacti thrived beautifully in the open desert field, many think cultivated cactus would also survive if brought outside. Fortunately, it will. I’ll tell you why and when to move cactus outdoors. Cacti are brought outdoors in early spring to access adequate light, better airflow, and encourage blooms. However, the time when cactus should…

Does your cactus develop rusty or orangey spots that look nasty and menacing as it spreads through the entire stem? Do not fret, as I will help you identify, eliminate and control them. The rust or orange spots on the cactus are caused by 1) rust fungus or 2) red spider mites or 3) fungal…

Are you one that believes that misting cacti is beneficial? Does misting help with watering?. Misting cacti is beneficial only for a specific category (called tropical cacti). Desert cactus, on the other hand, should not be misted to avoid 1) stem rot, 2) pests and diseases, 3) poor root growth, and 4) dehydration. However, cactus…

Watering cacti and succulents the right way does not need to be hard! However, the number one reason for cacti or succulents to die is actually improper watering. Here I will explain how I do water my hundreds of cacti the proper way. Cacti and succulents should be watered only when the soil is completely…

Perhaps you have a cactus that has grown too massive to support itself. It is bending and seems to topple down, but you’re unsure how to fix it. I have several cacti that become top-heavy, and here’s how I help my plant get back in shape. Cactus becomes top-heavy due to offset formation, rapid stem…

You have had a cactus with you for several years already, but it hasn’t given you a single flower despite being given the best growing conditions. How often do they flower? Generally, cacti shoot up flowers every year during their blooming season. However, some factors delay their bud formation, such as 1) maturity, 2) species,…