Most People Get This Wrong About Their Cactus

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

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[@PabloConcrete]

No wonder I can't get any nice plant pots in my local IKEA - they all end up at Mr Shelfield's place 😂😂😂

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

😅

[@melfuz]

😂😂

[@WRWhizard]

I've been raising cacti for about 5 decades. The most important thing is to not let the roots get waterlogged. Especially in cool temperatures. This will likely turn them into green jello. They should be in a soil that is high in sand, vermiculite or similar so that there is some air around the roots between watering. I also prefer terracotta pots, these tend to promote evaporation from the soil. If you neglect them badly and fail to water them, many will just go dormant, some will show signs of using up their stored water reserves. I tend to fuss over my plants and tend to water them daily or every other day or two, but I do so from the top and usually do not saturate. I believe this replicates the sparse rain they get in the wild. Rain that moistens the surface soil but doesn't penetrate much. Many cacti have roots that tend to be just below the surface so they can catch this rare rain. Occasionally, I will fill the catch pan beneath them and let it soak up from the bottom. Also realize that in a modern heated home in the winter, the humidity is often very low which actually replicates their normal environment.

[@katyalupochev9589]

Thank you for clearing up these misconceptions! It’s frustrating how sensible tips get sort of warped until they are complete misinformation. “Don’t overwater cacti” became “when you water, only give half a Thumbelina’s thimbleful” “They don’t mind being a bit rootbound” became “they NEED to be rootbound to truly thrive!”(how on earth would that work out in nature??) And my personal least favourite: “Don’t put unacclimated plants directly into scorching sun” became “you must NEVER let a sunbeam tickle its leaves, they hate direct sunlight”(so why do they clamber up trees in the wild to reach the bloomin stuff?!) Ty again for spreading the news 🙏

[@1BergerVongSchlauigkeitHer]

I get a little angrier every time I hear or see someone say "bright indirect light".

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@joannemorris4451]

Many cactus grow near a taller plant, which provides partial shade during part of the day. They are called Nurse plants, since they are helping to raise young plants.

[@youdontspeakforme4339]

I’ve gotten much better at watering my plants since watching your videos. The moisture meter is definitely a game changer. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Glad to help

[@Fabdanc]

I use the turkey baster technique. I water more frequently with less water. This ensures that my cacti's feeder roots can absorb water without having to saturate the medium and avoid rot. The deep water technique requires that you keep your cacti in smaller, shallow pots that will dry faster. Both methods are highly effective, their use just depends on how you want to stage your plant.

[@funonvancouverisland]

I want to see a behind the scenes vid of you pulling the plants back out of the trash 😂

[@RNMom424]

😊😂

[@orbepa]

Hey Mr Sheffield ! I'm a newbie to gardening - I confess - I'm getting old. I've got an allotment, starting to get that into shape - but you are making 'indoor gardening' is equally fun and you make the knowledge fun and easy to absorb. I'm watching all your back catalog. Great work

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks!

[@Stella-n-Luna]

I water my cactus’s whenever I water all of my other plants. I use a mini pump sprayer to “rain” on everybody. My cacti all have very loose draining soil and are in terracotta pots with plastic trays underneath. I have a couple that even just came right from God! I live in New England, in the US, where we have very cold winters so for a cacti to appear in one of my outdoor planter pots was WEIRD! I saved them and have them indoors now.

[@7sins_of_life]

Btw guys this is advice more tailored towards "desert" cacti and not "jungle" cacti (I know this isn't really an accurate classification, there are cacti everywhere and they have specific needs based on their native range). "Jungle" cacti handle humidity way better and have different care needs.

[@nemesis8626]

All desert cacti do naturally go dormant between late September and April (earliest late March) so not watering is very popular, although i like to water them more infrequently maybe once during that time, just so they don't get too shrivelled and dehydrated leading into their growing season, also one thing i would say is moisture metres arent always ideal with cacti soils especially if they are high in course sand, horticultural grit, pumice etc, the less soil in there the harder it will be to get an accurate reading. When in the growing season i would water them every week or 2 depending on how much light and heat they are getting, unless they have more specialized needs like a succullent type that may have its dormancy period through the summer instead, or lithops.. the more knowledge you can learn about the cactus or succulent type you have the better because although they are very resiliant they can still be quite picky

[@larryl4881]

The first desert shot is from my favorite place in Arizona the Superstition Mountains. Lots of cool legends and stories about these mountains. It’s also known as the mountain of the thunder giants.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

😁

[@RNMom424]

I once lived in Apache Junction! For 9 years I lived all over the East Valley, & my last year there I was in Phoenix proper. I knew it was in the Sonoran Desert b/c of the Saguaro! 🌵 THAT is MY favorite cactus! Loved driving the Beeline & seeing them growing wild!

[@fietsbandje]

Terracotta pots also work wonders for cacti. Their porous nature allows the soil to dry out much quicker than a plastic pot, the pot will essentially sweat off the water instead of keeping it trapped. Additionally, the pots will wick up water if you place them in a little bath allowing for easy bottom watering.

[@barbararule3800]

My fishbone cactus are very thirsty guys but growing in clay pots...very happily. They don't seem to mind having mealy bugs either...always checking and clearing is like having kids with nits.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

😬

[@pimpozza]

It's true, Mr Sheffield.. many people don't realise cacti enjoy a thorough soaking, so long as the soil's allowed to dry out between waterings! One rule doesn't fit all in the case of cacti.. depends on the species.. Some are more drought/heat tolerant, others need more shade and water.. some are bloomin' picky little devils and quite difficult to keep.. 🤦🏻‍♀️😄 _but they're my passion!!_ 💚🌵💚

[@johnsorensen2088]

We had a cactus on our kitchen counter growing up with my family. I bumped my hand on it once. Hurt like hell. I usually run the other way when I see one these days.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Grim isn't it

[@skyemiddletonx9006]

Most of my cacti are in a mostly gritty mix with a bit of soil to hold nutrients and to insulate from frost as all of mine are outside. Some pre-made mixes are too rich so don't be afraid to add some pebbles in with the dirt.

[@pimpozza]

I agree about the gritty mix, Skye.. I would never use an off-the-shelf cactus mix.. I use very little organic material (a few worm castings also work wonders in my opinion).. Different species need different care, but they all definitely benefit from a very gritty mix.. 👍🙋🏻‍♀️

[@theagg]

Best feed should be lower in nitrogen than the usual houseplant mixes. Sadly I can't afford to run the number of grow lights required to keep my cacti truly happy ! So, with my windows facing east and west, they have to make do with the suboptimal number of hours they get direct sun. Still, my 30 year old Ferocactus Horridus is still going strong, although it's never yet flowered, which I'm certain is due to the lower light levels it's had to live with over the last 25 years. (It's first 5 years were spent in a proper, dedicated greenhouse back when I had such a luxury)

[@kbm4409]

Love when you post.... My feelings was so hurt when I tried to order my potting mix from Sabotanica,,, no shipping to the U.S.😢

[@TinanRyan]

Me too!!!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

☹️

[@HeraLeonida]

Scorchio!! It all came flooding back to me! Boutros-boutros gali and Chris Waddle to you my friend!

[@jessh9988]

In the desert where I live summer is the dormancy period (bc theyre outside 100F + sometimes for months) So winter, spring, and fall is thier growing periods. I lost most of my string of pearls last summer. It was not happy beyond 110, but I wanted to see what they would tolerate, most cacti is amazing and can tolerate all the weather here. Succulents are good for spring and fall here outside.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Where's that?

[@RNMom424]

Not Jess, but I can verify what she's saying. When I lived outside Phoenix AZ (Sonoran Desert), I saw it hit 122°F more than once. I also saw a week where it didn't get below 100°F at night! Cactus grew wild anywhere developers hadn't messed w/ the land! I have a pic of one, I called my Wreath Cactus though it was wild, that I wish I could share w/ you! I think it's one of the Hedgehog cactuses, but I never saw it bloom, so IDK for sure. It grew in a wreath form, in case my description was lacking! 😊

[@PedroLuis-yp9ed]

This is 10x harder with cactus seedlings. Its bizzare that they need the opposite of what an adult needs. They need to be kept in moist soil, a humidity dome, and low light in order to sprout. And even after need to wait until they have thorns and are about 1 inch thick before beginning to slow introduce them to brighter light and dryer air. Lost the first batch I attempted to grow and so far made it further with the second round but it tough to know when to water them. So far spraying every two days while in a tiny terricota pot seems to work.

[@sachelle107]

They go a long time without water then get absolutely peed on 😂👏🏻..love it. Thanks very much 🌵

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

😁

[@lynkin]

You use tongs to repot the pups, but you’re very brave to use bare hands to pull out the cacti from its decorative pot to bottom to water! Ouch! 😊

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

I know right!

[@RNMom424]

It's the tiny ones that are bad though! The tiny brown "hairs" growing around Prickly Pear spines are mean little buggars! I brushed against one w/o noticing, leaving GA for NC. Before we'd gone 200 miles, they had worked through the thick denim of my jeans & into my knee! It was several hundreds of miles before we were at our NC home!! I was going insane by then!!

[@Fledhyris]

@@RNMom424 Oh I can empathise with that! Got prickly pear spines in my hand one time and they are so tiny you can't see them to pick them out, so having them embedded in material... nightmare! Does washing help to get rid of them or is that simply bye-bye jeans?!

[@asmrtpop2676]

If you’re having trouble learning when yours likes water… wait for it tk get wrinkled lol. Then you know for sure it needs a drink. This is especially helpful for learning the tricky mimicry and lithops plants.

[@MM-TheEnd]

Thank you , Mr. Costa Del Sheffield.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

😁

[@lisa-maried8733]

I got a small cactus and I forgot all about it for over a year 🤭 but it was still alive and well. I bottom watered and left for a half hour and it proper filled out and she still doing well today 😊

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Great stuff 👍

[@JuanellHopper]

Succulents seem to like more light than cacti. But they are all different. I have one that likes the south facing window but others would not like it.

[@violetromic5257]

Thank you, thank you for info on cacti. You cleared up several questions I’ve had. Sincerely, Violet

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Glad it was helpful!

[@violetromic5257]

Also sent your app to family members, hopefully they will enjoy and learn from you as I have.

[@riwspider]

I have a couple little cacti, they live on a north - facing window and are doing great! Also your videos are really helpful

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Cool, thanks!

[@soponlorkhong5255]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Love your video. They are very educational and very well done.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks!

[@jenniferRodgers-fs9fh]

Cacti 🌵 are my nemesis but I keep trying and so far I’ve been able 2 keep a few of them alive but I’ve got them all planted together in a big rectangular container and so far they haven’t died yet and even recently bloomed

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

You’ve got this ✊

[@TS50ER]

Nice little Echinocactus Kroenleinia Grusonii. Those bad boys grow to impressive sizes.

[@ryangooseling]

I've got a Christmas cactus and a dragon fruit cluster. This is exactly how i do it. They love my too hot loft

[@sarahp.6595]

Your cacti look great. Mine will hopefully bloom again this summer🤩 🌵

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks!

[@triplefreeerror]

I water my cactuses weekly when they are outside but like 3 times through the winter

[@ethanlumbert260]

Lol i was trimming some pothos while listening to this😂😂

[@jillianleblanc9370]

Thank you for Sharing your cactus plants

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

You bet!

[@samuelmiensinompe4902]

This is one thing that you should try to find out. I have some cactuses that have incredibly large, beautiful flowers. But when grown outside by the full sun, they cork half way to the top, and dont look beautifully green. I have tried to find out how to reduce the corking in full sunlight, but no success.. And in full sunlight is when you get the massive blooms. So I have all of these healthy cactuses with lots of corking. I REALLY HATE THE CORKING! 😠😡

[@sueamos3860]

Great video again mr Sheffield

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks again!

[@kadinaator]

Heh - laughed out loud at the Costa del Sheffield quip :D

[@murranz]

Good Thanks

[@TimHunter-7755dx]

Parts of my cactus are getting much, a y suggestion

[@noraiancu9461]

"Costa del Sheffield" 😂😂

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

😁

[@lucktheduck5407]

All my cacti and succulents started dying this summer and I'm not sure why. They started getting mushy at the stem of the plant after only adding a bit of water. I watered them about once every 3-4 weeks, so not too often. (With mostly bottom watering) Now I'm afraid to give my remaining cacti much water at all. Not sure how much they need or what happened.

[@pilar7518]

Loving your vids! Many thanks🌿

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks!

[@lauradavison4044]

Thanks

[@bluestar.8938]

Thank you Mr Sheff ' : )

[@mariepatterson7804]

Thank you again

[@naveenkapoor8065]

Have you tried yaramila complex fertilizer. I just want to know whether it really works. I m preparing my own mix of compost +neem cake +epsom salt + mustard cake + dap +npk. Mix all and keeping it in air tight box for 3 to 4 months. This is working very well on my all indoor and outdoor plants but taking time in fermentation. I heard, yaramila complex is norwegian and working well.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Nope never tried that

[@godoggo9346]

Hey Mr Sheffield, do you get commission on the links you mentioned?

[@realityjunky]

Mr. Sheffield, help! Success!! I did a chevron cut on a snake plant leaf and put it in water. I changed the water as directed. It's been a few months and there are lots of roots but I was waiting for the roots to grow roots, which is what my daughter heard. I checked the other day and I've got TWO PUPS growing straight up from the cut edge!!!💖💖 What do I do now? Cover with dirt? Keep in water until larger? Anyone have ideas?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Sounds like it’s ready to be potted up. Keep the soil moist for a couple of weeks to help them adjust

[@realityjunky]

@@SheffieldMadePlants Thank you!!

[@kevslife]

How do you water best when you use dry pon? No reservoir

[@TanelSan]

Yes Mr.Sheffield i had my own experience with succulents plants where i watered them every week but then i heard they don't want that often bc they are desert plants and when i was watering them less and sometimes i forgot watering some then those who i forgot about then they was starting grow so much but when winter did come then somehow i killed them 😅 so maybe i still did dry them out because i gave same amount but 1-2 times in month 😅But they was rescue plants anyway so if i buy succulents what i like then i gonna watch this video every month so i wont kill them 😂

[@pamwright8372]

Are you just setting the cacti pup on top of the soil? Once it's calloused over that is..I definitely want to try this! I've always bottom water mine ! Thanks for the info 👍

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Yep press it on top so it’s got good contact and it’ll root

[@sweeneyTodd-de4by]

Can you put cactus under grow lights?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Yes

[@sarahb.6475]

8:47 how do you water that barrel cactus when it looks like it takes up the entire pot? How do you pick it up out of the outer pot to see if there is water there??

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

I use my moisture meter and only water when very dry

[@RNMom424]

HELP! Please! I have 2 Spineless Prickly Pear pads that I bought last May. They've still not rooted!! I had one more but last month it blew up like a balloon, rotted from the inside! These 2 are OK though, except not rooted! Any advice? I'm hoping this Spring weather will wake them up, but IDK!! Love your videos!!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

If they’re not rooting it’s normally a lack of light thing

[@Alwaysherethere]

I should get a catus plant.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

You should!

[@Alwaysherethere]

@@SheffieldMadePlants I will soon

[@MrSonoru]

I purchased a moisture meter like the one you're using and it seems to be reading incorrectly. I probed the soil in a pot I just watered about a day ago and it is showing that the soil is dry when I know it is actually still wet. Perhaps I have a defective one, but I think I will stick to just lifting the pots to see if they're lighter and sticking a dry chopstick in there instead😕

[@Fledhyris]

Someone pointed out that the meters aren't so good for testing cactus soil as they're made for heavier soils, so your chopstick idea sounds cheap & reliable!

[@MrSonoru]

@@Fledhyris It totally makes sense that chunkier mixes would not give reliable moisture reading with those probes!

[@pimpozza]

So true.. these water meters work brilliantly in potting soil but are very inaccurate in a gritty mix.. 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@wjb111]

The Superstitions!

[@mortiferburzum2451]

Hiya, could I please ask where do you buy good orchid bark in a large quantity in the UK? The small bags are quite rubbish. I know you're making your own soil with perlite and compost but just in case you have had bark too ...😅

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

I get mine from sybotanica. Other than that it's big bags from B&Q but that's more for outside

[@mortiferburzum2451]

@@SheffieldMadePlants thank you!

[@SysterYster]

At 8:36... what's that pretty tree-plant on your right? We have one at school, and I think it's very pretty. I thought it was a money tree at first, but they have different leaves. So what is it?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

That is indeed a money tree

[@SysterYster]

@@SheffieldMadePlants Is it? Then I suppose it's the other one that's not a money tree then. XD They're similar. But I want one, cause they're pretty. Can you get baby trees somehow, without seeds?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@SysterYster they normally come big but im sure there are small ones out there

[@295lou]

What about lithops? Any watering tips for those??

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Never had them but I’ve read they take very little watering

[@295lou]

I had one...emphasis on "had"....thought it was like any other succulent...watered it about every 6 to 8 weeks...killed that one...so I'm trying another victim...may water him every 6 to 8 months the way I'm reading it....They will always grow back or I can always replace, don't know unless I try...Thanks!!

[@Bluemudwasp]

I have a lithops. I watered it once when it was shedding its old leaves and it grew to an inch tall. I think it'll burst if I water it again so I'm not going to water until it is a bit wrinkly! It looks a bit ridiculous at the moment...

[@tykiimykk9506]

Your lithops will tell you when it needs water. U can touch it or see a little wrinkles thats the time to water it. And one more important thing is , do not water while in the process of changing his leaves. You can also trim the root before potting it but don't water for a week. Happy planting.

[@tykiimykk9506]

Oh i forgot lithops are winter growers and dormant in summer they love morning sun and bright indirect light the rest of the day. Thanks

[@ellencnixon]

💜💜

[@adamnagy4544]

premade soil mix for your plant health thing is seems so funny when I think about my grandma always used the garden soil and sand, her plant collection was stunning tho. I also use dedicated potting soil and perlite 'cos it is easier to work with, but many things like premade mixes are over the edge I think. At least it is good to think about what is really important, or what's just money burning. (similar to grow light :DDD srry to picking on your business :P )

[@1faithchick7]

Unfortunately people like me need grow lights because the sun doesn't come through my window enough. My plants weren't growing and were barily alive until I used grow lights. They grow all winter now and grow like crazy in summer. You may not need them where you live, but in my house I can't go without grow lights lol. I do use some shop lights too though. :)

[@adamnagy4544]

@@1faithchick7 search for much critical reviews on grow light. Yeah artificial light needed, if you lives in a place like that or you have small windows, but the expensive fancy grow light is kinda bs. It is meant for FOOD growing, where produced secondary elements (like vitamins in a tomato) is not neglectable. Since you probably not want to consume your house plants, the cheapest stronger LED reflector (around for 3 dollar) is the best. I have multiple terrariums and aquariums with slightly sensitive plants and it is work perfectly. I acctually bought a slightly more expensive aquarium light, cus the color of the plants doesnt showed that much (red and purple ones :DD ) So yeah, it is just a cleaver marketing from the growlight companies, nothing more.

[@adamnagy4544]

​@@1faithchick7 I need a tons of artificial light, I have several terrarium and aquarium. One aquarium has a slightly more expensive WRGB light 'cos red and purple plants show the best color under that, but all the others have the cheapest LED bulbs and reflectors. I managed to grow very sensitive plants under these lights. The grow light made for farmers whom grow vegetables under artificial light, need less energy to produce the same secondary elements (ex.: vitamins in a tomato --or the funny stuff in certain plants xDDD--), but you really doesn't need anything like that (the power saving is not significant in your consumption). So grow light for housplants is kind of a scam...

[@Tony.795]

For desert cacti, garden soil, sand and grit are way more appropriate than whatever they come in from the big box stores. The first thing I do with new cacti and succulents is wash away the organic soil and replace it with a loamy mineral mix.

[@joshuathomas6952]

Day 2 of asking fittonia care and rescue..... My plant is dying in this helpppppppl😭😭😭😭

[@redsalt69]

Keep it moist raaa deii

[@Galaxiiee02]

Oh now i got the secrets! Haha ive killed more cactus than id like to admit

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

You’ve got this ✊

[@joyautio3910]

What kind of cactus is that? I have a little baby cactus that looks kind of like it but I have no idea what it is

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Can’t remember what it’s called