I messed up with these cacti, but a few things survived

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[@mossbaby6292]

I appreciate the realness of posting this and the way you’re not vocally stressed out at all if parts of or if the entire plant dies. Horticulture can be such a devastatingly shame filled hobby, it’s a wonderful thing to find a video dealing with a more stressful side of it in such a calm and unapologetic way not commonly represented.

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Thank you! That means a lot. While I do want to show people the happy side of gardening, I always want to show the real side too. If there's still someone who can grow dozens of plants without killing at least one, I'd love to meet them! But in the meantime I hope this helps others just like you indicated -- to see that all of this is normal.

[@massimomezzini4145]

I would treat the surviving Mammillaria part for spider mite

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

I didn't see anything on it, but it wouldn't hurt to do a quick spray.

[@Diane7345]

I have a lot of cactus hanging plants. I only use the cactus soil sold at the store, which is dirt. I would appreciate it if you would talk about this.

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

About soil in general? Or about using the cactus soils at stores? I do have a soil video planned, but I'd love to cover any questions you have!

[@timothykrott7248]

Diane, being a succulent guru for 13 years, I can't imagine you never killed a plant. I bow down to your greatness! You should be in the Guinness book of records.

[@socalmingtowatchandsuchawe4281]

Your potting up material appears and sounds like gravel where is the nourishment in this?

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

The pine bark fines in the soil do give it some nutrients. I've started using worm castings as a supplement and plan to do that every few months. Succulents often grow in low nutrients areas, but they do get minerals and nutrients from rain water outside. Using occasional fertilizer can help. Even a traditional soil however will get depleted of nutrients over time.

[@pbiz9576]

Do you recommend any particular fertilizer for cacti?

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

Right now I'm using worm castings and that has been working well, though I'm only a few months in to trying it. Here's some recommendations from another grower: cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=405861#p405861 I also think most balanced fertilizers (5-5-5, etc) would work too, just dilute to low amounts.

[@timothykrott7248]

I use the Schultz Cactus and succulent fertilizer, with great success.

[@puffymama51]

where are your gloves? Hope you don't get a hair somewhere on your hand.

[@puffymama51]

I guess I should've watched the whole video before commenting.

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

No worries! It's definitely a personal preference and for me it just depends on what cactus I'm working with.

[@Diane7345]

I don't understand why you let your cactus dry out. Being a instructor of succulents, I wouldn't think you would let them get that bad.

[@AlanDayley]

I can imagine a few reasons for an instructor letting plants dry out. - The instructor is human and humans are not perfect - Letting them dry out provides an example for teaching - They have a lot of plant so it is easy to miss one hiding in the back - There is a lot to do in life, sometimes something is not as important as other things

[@sherylc7167]

Just goes to show plant mentors & instructors are ppl too!! Shyt happens 😊

[@Succulentsandsunshine]

The comments here are all spot on. Just because I know what to do, doesn't mean I always do it. This arrangement in particular has been neglected and I've put off reviving it longer than I should have. I've realized over the years that it's definitely possible to have too many plants. I currently do and am starting to give away and sell some plants. However there are some like this that are naturally removed from my collection because I haven't given them the care they need.

[@sherylc7167]

live yo life girl

[@timothykrott7248]

Perhaps if Diane is such an expert, maybe we should ask her to do one of our tea party chats. 😁