If you are looking to keep a cactus indoors you are probably wondering how often you should water it. It is important to know that barrel cacti need at least filtered sunlight to grow. Indoors they also need good air circulation to avoid dampness. A room that has good air circulation will also provide optimal sunlight exposure. Keeping your indoor cactus healthy will be easier if you follow the tips listed in this article.
How often do you water an indoor barrel cactus?
To maintain the health of your indoor barrel cactus you need to give it adequate light. It will not thrive if it receives less than four hours of indirect sunlight each day. A window with direct sunlight is the best place to place it. Alternatively you can grow the plant outdoors on your patio or deck. However you should be aware that it requires almost perfect drainage.
Cacti need little water. Excessive watering can lead to root rot and plant death. A good soil mix with a good drainage will ensure that your cactus stays healthy and vibrant. You can also use a soil mix based on peat that contains additional perlite and sand. Once the soil dries up repotted plants need to be repotted.
When watering your barrel cactus remember to water just enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy that it will rot. Ideally you should water your cactus once a week when the soil becomes completely dry. Watering regularly will prevent root rot which is fatal for the plant. However you should check the soil moisture level with a wooden stick if you have doubts.
How much light does a barrel cactus need?
A barrel cactus needs full exposure to sunlight to grow healthily. The best place for this plant is next to a window. However if the light is too intense the plant can be scorched and develop burn patches on its flesh. For this reason it is not recommended to place it in direct sunlight until it is well established and mature. It should receive indirect light during the early growing stages of its life.
The most common mistake people make is planting a barrel cactus in a bright window in the winter. This is not ideal as the plant will be too stressed. During the winter months keep the temperature between 41.8°F and 41°F. Avoid overwatering during this period. You should also ensure good air circulation so the plant does not become damp. However this cactus will appreciate a period of dormancy from December through February.
When caring for your plant remember that some cacti do not require direct sunlight so be sure to provide plenty of indirect lighting. You can also fertilize your barrel cactus once a year or whenever you see its growth. Avoid fertilizing too often as it can lead to excess salt buildup in the soil. Finally keep your plant in the warmest room in your home so it doesn’t freeze or get too hot.
Where should cactus be placed indoors?
A good place to place your barrel cactus indoors is on a sunny windowsill. Although they can survive in partial shade they don’t like direct sunlight for long periods. Ideally you’d place them on the sunny side of the windowsill during the day and then switch them to indirect light in the evening. If possible bring them indoors in the winter and move them outside in the summer.
Barrels are very hardy plants and don’t need much water. Water them about once every two to three months. If possible place them in a room where there’s good light and plenty of air circulation. Although barrel cacti don’t need a lot of water you should make sure that they have plenty of sunlight otherwise they might die. And they will not grow as well as you’d like.
Another thing to consider when choosing a spot for your cactus is the amount of room it needs to grow. Cacti grow slowly and once they reach a marble size they need to be moved from their propagation tray to their individual pot. You can do this by transferring them to a larger container and this will allow them to continue to grow. Because cacti don’t like rich soil they do best in a low-nutrient medium.
How do you keep a cactus alive indoors?
The smallest of the six species of barrel cactus the Golden Barrel cactus has a striking round shape and golden spines. When mature this cactus develops flowers. It can grow up to eight feet tall and four feet wide and has a rounded stem with twenty or thirty ribs. It can take 15 years to reach full flowering size.
Winter can be tough on cacti. The cold dry air outside can be particularly challenging to their health. If you can place your cactus near a heating vent or heater as this will help reduce relative humidity. Otherwise you should bring it inside until at least late February. Regardless you must be prepared to deal with the challenges of winter. Make sure you follow these tips to keep your cactus healthy and happy indoors.
A window or skylight can provide adequate light for your cactus but don’t place it directly under a window. It will get a good amount of light if placed next to a window but too much sunlight can be equally damaging. A plant that is exposed to sunlight will display bleaching on its exposed side. Overwatering can also result in death. Overwatering can lead to the cholera cactus breaking open and becoming a gelatinous ball.
When should I repot my barrel cactus?
The time to repot a barrel cactus should not be before it has outgrown its container. When you see its roots poking through the drainage hole and above the soil it is time to repot. To repot your barrel cactus remove the old substrate from its roots and replace it with fresh cactus soil. This helps the new soil to retain the nutrients and prevent it from rotting. You should cut away the healthy roots that have surrounded the potted plant.
Barrel cacti grow well in low-fertility zones so they don’t require fertilization very often. However you should fertilize them once a year in the spring using a liquid fertilizer. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package for the amount of fertilizer to use. If the plant grows too large for its pot it may need to be pruned to keep the size within the proper range.
Repotting a barrel cactus is similar to repotting other houseplants. To repot your barrel cactus fill the new pot about 3/4 full with soil and remove it from the old pot. You should also loosen the soil around the roots as this will encourage new growth. After you have repotted your barrel cactus watch out for any pests or insects as they can attack your plant.
How long does a barrel cactus live?
Barrels are an excellent choice for small living rooms and the plant can last for years in the right environment. A barrel cactus has central spines which are grouped in groups of four to seven per areole. These spines are usually curved and can be five to 15 centimeters long. On the other hand the radial spines of this plant are much smaller and are about 15 to 25 centimeters long.
The best location for a barrel cactus is near a window. The best location is a sunny window so that it gets as much sunlight as possible. The plants prefer direct sunlight and do not require watering very often. In general they need about twelve to fourteen hours of darkness daily. If the temperature is not very cold you can place them in a sunny spot. The humidity will need to be around sixty percent.
A barrel cactus’ lifespan depends on its species. Its average lifespan is fifty to one hundred years but some specimens have survived for 130 years. It can also live in the house if placed in a sunny window. Although its lifespan is short it can outlive most people. For that reason it is a good idea to get the right size container for your plant.
Why is my barrel cactus shrinking?
When the base of your cactus begins to shrink you may have made a few mistakes. A cactus’ base is a good indicator that its care is inadequate but there are several other causes that may be responsible for this problem. Most cacti are used to bright light and get adequate exposure to it throughout the day. Your cactus may have been subjected to harsh conditions that are now unsuitable for its needs.
Lack of light. Cacti don’t like to be in a completely dark environment so shade your plant in the beginning. Overwatering and not enough light are the other causes. The problem can be rectified by repotting the cactus in fresh soil. If the cactus has completely died however you may have to replace it. To repot it in fresh soil cut across it and place it on the soil.
Sudden temperature changes may cause your cactus to shrink. Sudden changes in temperature or light can cause root rot. To prevent this gradually re-introduce it to bright light in the spring or summer. For the first few weeks cover it with a semi-transparent cloth. Move it into a sunny spot in the morning when the air is cooler and into the shade during the afternoon.
