Cacti are more likely to suffer from over-watering if they're situated in a dark location or overly-moist soil. If the bottom of the stem is mushy, it's game over - the 'heart' of the plant has rotted, meaning that revival is minimal. Are the roots brown and mushy? If so, remove the affected roots and replace the soil with a well-draining potting mix ('Cactus & Succulent' compost is best). These issues can be corrected by removing the plant out from its pot and inspecting the rootball or soil. Over-watering symptoms include root and stem rot, mushy yellow leaves or a rotten stem. Under-watering symptoms are usually uncommon however, crispy and stunted growth are possibly due to either forgetfulness or too much sunlight. In the growing period, allow ALL of the soil to dry out in between waters, reducing this to every eight to ten weeks in the autumn and winter for its dormancy. The ukhouseplants ' rule of 'droughts between drenches' strongly applies to all desert Cacti. If you're interested in placing yours in a brighter environment, gradually increase the light levels over a few weeks to prevent the risk of environmental shock or sun-scorch. If you've recently purchased a Cactus, chances are it hasn't acclimatised to the potential direct sunlight you'll give it. Due to the intolerance to low light, avoid placing one in areas where a newspaper can't be read without the use of artificial light. A few hours of sunlight per day is highly beneficial as it'll significantly reduce the risk of over-watering and root rot. Place the specimen in the brightest location as possible. Repot every two to four years during the spring, using a 'Cactus & Succulent' potting mix. Keep an eye out for Mealybugs that'll form white cottony webs in the cubbyholes.Feed every six to eight weeks, using either a 'Cactus' or 'Houseplant' fertiliser.Bring it back indoors once the nighttime temperatures dip to 12☌ (54☏). If you decide to bring it outdoors, offer a sheltered location until the plant acclimates to the sunlight for the prevention of sun-scorch. A few hours of morning or evening sun is mandatory for all desert Cacti, especially in the winter months.Be careful when watering - allowing excess moisture to sit in the cubbyholes of the stem will result in diseases like southern blight and 'basal rot'.Cacti must endure periods of droughts in between waters - if you're stuck with when to water it, think of the ukhouseplants ' phrase of 'Drenches Between Droughts'.Need the answer to a specific plant query? Book a 1-to-1 video call with Joe Bagley, the website's friendly author to overcome and address your niggling problem! Available on iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger & more. Origins, Temperature, Propagation, Repotting & Toxicity.Location, Water, Humidity & Fertilisation.
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