Droopy cactus

[scarecrow]

My cactus keeps wilting,I cant understand why.I give it about half apint of water a day..

[miggymoo]

Are you sure you are not watering it too much? I think they only need watering once a month or something.

[smudge]

This Cactus Care link may be helpful.

[Impret-Sir]

From October to May a cactus should not need any water AT ALL, the rest of the year it needs about the same as any indoor pot plant, maybe once a week. If you are really giving it that much water a day Im amazed yours has not rotted by now.

[Buenchico]

I'm the world's worst gardener but I do know something about cacti. (I used to exhibit them). Different types of cacti require different watering regimes but, generally, I'd agree with Impret-Sir's guidelines of no water at all during the winter months. (Some cacti might benefit from their first drop of water in April rather than in May).

During the summer months, don't water a cactus if the soil has even the slightest amount of moisture in it. Let it dry out completely, then leave it for a few days more before giving a small amount of water.

You'll know when you're getting it right when your cacti flower. (The reason that most people never see their cacti flower is that they give far too much water. A small cactus doesn't need much more than a pint or two of water per year).

Chris

[scarecrow]

thanks Impret-sir and all the others who answered,I thought I wasn't watering enough,and considered putting it my pond to see how it would get along.I've put it next to the gas fire now to dry it out ,I hope that will stiffen it up a bit,as theres nothing worse than a droopy cactus...........

[honkytonkgal]

sounds like you have drownded the poor thing

[Toureman]

First you try to drown it now your trying to roast it!

[scarecrow]

I know,,if it gets much worse, I will have to give it a massage..

[qapmoc]

Errrr...., no comment I think.

[logman]

I think its probably the most common cause of cactus fatality, it starts looking a bit sick so one assumes it needs some more of whats killing it in the first place !

Its well to remember the natural home where it originates (the desert) an occaisional spray mist in the winter months should suffice..

[scarecrow]

A bits dropped off, and theres all stuff coming out......The End

[qapmoc]

Sounds like you massaged it too much!!!

[scarecrow]

Never again,,,,,,,I felt a right prick doing that!!!