HOW TO GROW HAPPY CACTI: My 101-GUIDE TO CACTUS GROWING & CARE

In this video I have tried to compile a little summary, a 101-GUIDE TO HAPPY CACTUS GROWING for you all - as a quick-look reference guide and one-stop shop for infos and recommendations you might find interesting and useful.
In the video I have assembled for you, a relatively simple summary of the key requirements for successfully growing cactus plants: WHAT THEY LIKE vs. WHAT THEY DO NOT!
Individual chapters will explore for you: What are the MAIN REQUIREMENTS for growing happy cacti? (…including preferred locations, soils, pots, watering, feeding and dormancy). How do these requirements differ for growing DESERT vs. JUNGLE cacti? How can we propagate cacti? What types of pests and diseases can threaten our cacti and how to avoid these? There are also links to other videos that can help you deep-dive further on each of these topics.
Hopefully you will find the video and content useful and informative - let me know!
The main chapters of this 101 cactus growing guide are as follows:
02:32 How do I know that my cactus is happy?
03:41 Cacti are simply awesome plants to grow! But, all of them?
04:55 Desert cacti vs. jungle cacti
06:26 The main parameters / requirements covered in this guide
07:00 Growing locations for DESERT CACTI
09:36 Soil & substrate type for desert cacti
11:24 Pots & growing vessels for desert cacti
14:03 Watering desert cacti
15:51 Fertilizing & feeding desert cacti
17:44 Winter dormancy for desert cacti
20:00 Growing locations for JUNGLE CACTI
22:02 Soil & substrate type for jungle cacti
22:56 Pots & growing vessels for jungle cacti
23:30 Watering jungle cacti
24:30 Fertilizing & feeding jungle cacti
25:17 Winter dormancy for jungle cacti
26:24 Propagation of cacti
27:02 Cactus pests & diseases
32:08 Summary & further information sources on my channel
Links to some additional key videos that further deep-dive into the above topics for you:
Choosing & Buying Cacti & Succulents • How to CHOOSE & BUY HE...
Potting & Re-potting • How to & Why to Pot, R...
Pots for Cacti & Succs • How to choose the best...
Watering my Cacti & Succs • Watering cacti & other...
Fertilizing my Cacti & Succs • Fertilizing & feeding ...
Winter dormancy • WINTER Cactus & Succul...
I hope that you will find this video useful! Enjoy!
Cheers,
Joe
‪@cactusjoe‬
#cactuscare #cacti #plantscare #cactiandsucculents

[@billgolightly7203]

This is a wonderful video, Joe. I have followed you for a few years, and you have shared these thoughts on many occasions. But it is nice to see and hear them in a sit down and listen atmosphere. For the less experienced grower like me, this video is a time, money and heart break saver. Thank you for your time and energy to share with us.

[@cactusjoe]

Hi Bill! Thank you so much for your kind words my friend and for your awesome feedback 🙏🙏☺️ I'm really happy to read that you are finding the video useful. Thanks for all your support and friendship over the years Bill, deeply appreciated. Happy growing! 🙌👍☺️🪴🌵🌿🪴🌵🌺🌼🌸💚☀️😎🙋‍♂️

[@CactusCaffeine]

Great info , Joe! Lots of helpful and comprehensive information. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@cactusjoe]

Thanks so much Ana, realy happy that you liked it! Thanks for watching and commenting and very best cactus greetings out to youin Las Vegas!

[@dlittle7983]

A very nice and informative video, Joe. ❣️🪴🌵

[@cactusjoe]

Awesome, thanks so much, really happy that you enjoyed it and found it informative! Many thanks for watching and commenting, truly appreciated! 🙏👍😉🙌🌵🌵🌸🌼🌺☀️💚😎🙋‍♂️

[@justinmorrison321]

What an incredible guide, Joe!

[@cactusjoe]

Many thanks Justin, much appreciated and super glad that you liked it! Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Happy growing my friend!

[@kathymacomber5115]

Love these tutorials

[@cactusjoe]

Thank you Kathy, much appreciated! Best wishes and happy growing! 🙌👍☺️🌵🪴🌵🌿🌺🌼🌸☀️😎💚🙋‍♂️

[@heatherstephens9295]

Love your T-shirt 👍👍 Great video‼️🙏🙏

[@cactusjoe]

Many thanks Heather, so glad you liked it and also, haha, happy you liked my favourite cactus t-shirt. As always, thanks so much for watching and commenting 🙏☺️🙌👍😉🌵🌵🌸🌼☀️💚😎🙋‍♂️

[@Cactimania]

Another excellent and informative video, Joe 😊 All the very important aspects of growing these plants and keeping them happy were covered expertly. Thank you for sharing with us as always my friend. Have a lovely evening from Edith & myself and happy growing 👍🏻🌵☀️🌺🌸🌼🏜

[@cactusjoe]

Thanks so much Daz, glad you liked the video and found that it covered all the very important aspects of keeping our plants happy. Thanks for watching and for your wonderful feedback, as always much appreciated my friend! Hope you and Edith are having a terrific Tuesday and rest of the week. Happy cactus greetings to you both and happy growing of course! 🙌☺️👍🌵🌵🌵🌸🌼🌺💚☀️😎🙋‍♂️

[@morrisparkintheozarks6831]

Great points Joe!!! Very sound great info !!! I've just watered a couple of t hings like my medusas. So they won't lose all their arms. Have to be careful though as our weather is in what I call the roller coaster . We had 60s and even 73°F during the days this week!! It's falling. Now. Low 50s, 40s during the days. Going to start snowing Monday into Thursday. With possible ice. It will be up and down through March. I've got a few Euphorbias in flower. And a couple of cacti in bud. Won't be long!!! Thanks for sharing !!! From Morris Park in the Ozarks, out to Bavaria, Germany 🇩🇪, have a wonderful day!!! Peace, Love, Plants!!!✌️💖🌵🌻🌿🍀🌴💐🌸🪴🌳🌾🌱🏜😃👍

[@StimoTheWelder]

Brilliant video, once again!! Thanks Joe

[@cactusjoe]

Thank you, much appreciated, glad you liked it!🙏🙌👍☺️🌵🪴🌵🌸🌼🌺☀️😎💚🙋‍♂️

[@halakassir82]

😍😍😍

[@cactusjoe]

☺️🙌👍🌵🪴🌵🙋‍♂️

[@Anthony-t1d6h]

Wonderful video Joe, thank you.

[@cactusjoe]

Thanks so much Anthony, glad you liked it! Many thanks for watching and commenting 🙏👍☺️🌵🌵🌼🌸🌺☀️😎🙋‍♂️

[@alinaserafimova3368]

Oh my god I love your editing with the title cards! So funny and charming with those exclamations lines. But title cards aside, thank you for the wonderful video! Such a helpful summary of main points in one place. And the "what they like / do not like" approach is great! My first cactus was a Parodia/Notocactus haselbergii that I got at Aldi. And it's still with me, grown into a huge beautiful specimen. When I got it, I had zero knowledge about cacti; I did not give it winter dormancy and kept it in the same pot for a long time, and it still grew and even bloomed (in winter, for some reason)! But after I learned more, I started making it up to the poor guy. And after repotting it, and it immediately rewarded me with a bunch of gorgeous flowers. So I can definitely recommend this cactus to beginners, it's very forgiving. I think because of this whole journey the Parodia/Notocactus haselbergii has a special place in my heart.

[@cactusjoe]

Hey Alina, thanks so much for watching and for your awesome feedback! Also, glad you enjoyed the video and the editing, haha, it was fun producing it! Your story about your Notocactus haselbergii is just wonderful! And I think it's fantastic that the plant has been thanking you with lot's of blooms for your wonderful care - a really great example of a happy cactus!! Enjoy your Sunday and have a brilliant week ahead! 🙌☺️👍🙏🌵🪴🌿🌵🌺🌼🌸💚☀️😎🙋‍♂️

[@michellechapman8738]

Awesome info. My cacti are indoors during winter..i put ground cinnamon in my soil. Its supposed to kill fungus gnat eggs. I havent had mealy bug issues either❤❤.. But i do give them a little water thru the dormant cycle because its always 60d inside my home..so far its been 3yrs and the cacti are growing..but im still learning.....thank you Joe!!

[@cactusjoe]

Sounds like you are doing really well with your cactus collection, Michelle, all makes sense! Personally I have not tried cinnamon in my substrate, but great if it works for you. Thanks for watching and for your wonderful comments and feedback! 🙌☺️🙏🙏👍🌵🌵🪴🌸🌼🌺☀️💚😎🙋‍♂️

[@marialakshmi2330]

I use cinnamon on my cuts (headchopping succulents) and it works as an anti fungal also keeps ants away which spread mealies. But now that I have too many I don’t use cinnamon and spray mealies instead.

[@paulettejames2858]

Thank you for this video ❤❤

[@emiliasandomierska8977]

Great video. Thank you.

[@cactusjoe]

Glad you liked it Emilia! Thanks for watching and for your feedback, much appreciated! 👍☺️🙌🌵🌵🌸🌼🌺☀️😎🙋‍♂️

[@worthvalleychihuahuas4819]

Awesome vid that was Joe, lots of helpful info, I’ve written down quite a lot of info from this vid in my notebook 😁🌵🌵🌵🌵

[@michellechapman8738]

I need that T shirt❤❤❤

[@cactusjoe]

Haha, glad you like it, many thanks Michelle. Check out eBay, they occasionally have quite a selection of cool cacti & succulent T's, haha! 🙌☺️😁🪴🌵🪴🌸🌼🌺💚☀️😎🙋‍♂️

[@Abnersaydowen]

🎉Watching from Palawan Philippines.. Wishing you good health and peace..🙏 Nice work, thanks ! Keep going👍🥰

[@jacobsiebert2204]

Thank you for this really elaborately produced video! 👍🏻 There is in fact one cactus specimen that I overwinter outdoors, and that is Opuntia fragilis. As you probably know, there are amazingly a number of Opuntia species that can tolerate pretty strong frost 🥶 Because of not wanting to risk plant loss and hence overwintering them still in a location without frost, I have read that some Gymnocalyciums are also said to be mildly frost-tolerant 🤔 For the next days, there is frost forecasted again for Kassel but at least we got beautiful sunshine today 😎

[@cactusjoe]

Many thanks Jacob, fantastic that you liked the video, always great to read your comments and updates! Indeed, there are quite a number of pretty frost hardy cacti (and e.g. Agaves) which can also be left outside in the winter - however most of these thrive pretty well (often even better) without exposure to lasting frost - so they can, but don't have to neccesarily be grown outside in the winter. Also depends on temps, we can get nights of -15C here, and not too many cacti like that, haha! Yep, weather is fabulous here too at the moment! Wishing you a super Saturday evening and a relaxing Sunday!👍☺️🙌🪴🌵🪴🌿🌼🌺🌼🌸☀️😎💚🙋‍♂️

[@jacobsiebert2204]

​​​​​​@@cactusjoe Yeah, you definitely have a point there that the frost exposure is a "can" and not a "must". But I must admit that the outdoors cultivation of this specimen is kind of an experiment to really "test out" its frost tolerance 😅😉 I am also already curious if it will flower for me in the next growing season. I am quite confident with that as one of the key requirements for the development of blooms (COOL and DRY dormancy period) is definitely provided 🤔 Another interesting aspect of low temperatures and the plants adaptations to it: I grow a specimen of Helleborus (Christrose) on the balcony and find it always interesting to see how the stems become limp when exposed to frost to prevent a freezing of the cell sap. As soon as temperatures rise up again during the day, the stems straighten up again. Wishing you too an excellent weekend! :)

[@marialakshmi2330]

Thanks for mentioning many of us live in the southern hemisphere. Appreciate you saying that a north facing window is better for us ☀️🇦🇺🇿🇦 is that a morning sun window? 😂 still directionally challenged 😅

[@duncanpage1556]

Great video Joe!! Hello from Alberta

[@cactusjoe]

Many thanks Duncan, very happy that you enjoyed the video! Greetings to Alberta, my friend! 🙌☺️👍🙏🌵🪴🌵🌿🌺🌼🌸☀️😎💚🙋‍♂️

[@markday5797]

Joe thank you for the great information. And happy 1 FEB. 2025.

[@cactusjoe]

Thanks so much Mark, appreciated, and happy February 1st to you too! 🙌☺️👍🙏🌵🪴🌵🌿🌺🌼🌸💚☀️😎🙋‍♂️

[@garygilliam1890]

Good morning Joe great information in this video it has helped me hope all is well your way and I am really looking forward to the properagation video because I am actually wanting to propagate some of my cactus this spring but I would love to see were you cut one in half and go from there

[@cactusjoe]

Hi Gary! Thanks so much, really great that you enjoyed the video! Yeah thanks, all good here and hope life is treating you well too my friend! Regarding propagating by cutting: doesn't matter too much where you cut, but always a minimum of 4-5 cm (2") from the top of the stem if you can. If you have, then dip/sprinkle the fresh cut surface briefly into rooting powder. Then allow a callus (healing layer) to form, i.e. keep in dry place away from sun for at least 1 week before placing on dry bird sand for rooting. Keep out of sun and spray lightly with water every day or two. Sometimes a plastic bag placed over the pot can help keep up the humidity a bit. First roots can start forming after 3-4 weeks. Spring and early summer best time - winter worst. Hope this little 'crash course' helps a bit, haha! Take care and best wishes! 🙌☺️👍🙏🌵🪴🌵🌿🌸🌼🌺💚☀️😎🙋‍♂️

[@ellenzinner]

Is natural and organic succulent cactus potting mix ok to use with monkey tail cactus? It's a gritty mix

[@ellenzinner]

Please make more videos. I am trying to grow monkey tail cactus. I'm winter I bring them inside. I live in the high desert in California.

[@cactusjoe]

Thank you, glad to read that you enjoyed the video! This video has a lot more info on growing and caring for a Monkey Tail Cactus for you, if you are interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKTPc42lbMyerrMsi=Tz1mAjrQDTr8O4u8 Hope this helps and you find it useful. Greetings to California, have a great day and happy growing!

[@julianvining9021]

I'm a bit confused with the nutrition here. Is it not recommended to fertilize dessert cacti with organic soil amendments? Like alfalfa meal or malted barley mixed in when repotting? In my head it makes sense that cacti wouldn't be heavily reliant on microbes in desserts. But also I wouldn't think a soluble artificial nutrient would be wise in a cacti mix, such that it would wash away easily. I'm by no means an expert, I could easily be way off base here.