When and How To Water Cacti - Pre Growing Season

[@petevsplants7516]

Thanks for the video, mate! Pete here. Grabbed a few of your cacti over the last few weeks and have included them in some vids on my channel. Thanks again! Glad I found your channel.

[@scottscott8066]

I know this is an older video, but it's very helpful. To hear how to determine with great exaples. Thanks for the help.

[@dinkarsingla9791]

Hi, you have really amazing collection and knowledge about these beauties. I got failed in making home made potting mix for the cactus. And how to plant the properly in a pot. I really appreciate, if you can share your knowledge on how to make best potting mix , and how to pot the cactus properly, probably I can save my cactus from dying. Thank you so much in advance...

[@ryanbehrends1035]

I really enjoyed this video. I think you're very informative and knowledgeable. I would love see a video on rot prone cacti. Your thoughts on which are most prone to root rot to the least prone to root rot. Thanks again for your knowledge.

[@samirganguli]

I had planted cactus seeds in sand in a covered container for green house effect. Now small plants have sprouted. Do I still keep the cover or keep the plants open to air. Can you guide me please?

[@JamesEndo1]

I'm so amazed because I thought underwater in was the way to go with cacti and water when wrinkling. Thanks.

[@87walker]

Not all cactus wrinkle when they are thirsty, some just shrink in overall size. Thanks for watching & Happy Gardening!

[@dawnpleasant2319]

This was very helpful. Thank you. We are getting ready to head into fall here in the states, but we are expecting more 100 degree days this week. Not time to back off watering yet! By the way, your plants look fantastic. The greenhouse makes a huge difference.

[@87walker]

Glad you enjoyed the video, I have heard from some of my U.S viewers that the weather is remaining very warm. Perhaps you will have an extended season as we did in Australia. The greenhouse has really bought out the best in my prickly friends, they love it! Thanks for watching & Happy Gardening!

[@bevtooth]

How knowledgeable. I have a question. I have just bought a big 11cm gymnocalycium horstii and its firm but on 1 side theres several creases. Should I water it and also should it be smooth all over? I was thinking its maybe had no water for a long time and it's an indication its thirsty?

[@87walker]

Hi there, It is very difficult to confirm without a picture. Please feel free to head over to my FB page and share a picture. Happy Gardening!

[@MatinaRose]

Do you happen to have a list of which genera likes to be watered when? I didn't realize that echinopsis could be watered through the winter for example. I always learn alot by watching your videos.

[@87walker]

Unfortunately no, I do not have a list. A lot of what I do is based on intuituon which is an incredibly hard thing to teach. I would always recommend being more on the cautious side of watering especially for the first few months after getting a new cactus. If the plant is purchased from a commercial grower, it will more than likely be very well watered and I would recommend getting it to "shrink" a bit by watering lightly. It is not natural for cacti to be so bloated and it leads to many problems. Will look at expanding this information through video's in the near future. You are always welcome to share pictures to my FB page for tips or advice, everyone there is friendly and if not, they don't last long! Happy Gardening!

[@karenkmk4035]

Thankyou, lots of great info and detail. My first season with cactus so I'm still learning.. greatly appreciate your time to make this video. 👌

[@87walker]

I'm many years in the hobby and I am still learning.. Don't think you ever stop learning with these amazing plants you just become a little more confident with them over time. Really happy you found the video useful, the growing season is so close! Thanks for watching & Happy Gardening!

[@jbfulwood2013]

Cool Video.

[@janmertens3792]

Dear Mr Walker. As a fellow cactus enthusiast i was watching this video with interest. But did you ever reconsider watering your cacti from below? Because that is somehow the mainstream way to do it where i live (witch is in Belgium (a tiny country in central Europe)) . My potted plants stand together in groups in large scales. As soon as nice temperatures arrive and going to stay for a period i water my plants by putting water in the scales. Witch makes watering more simple and easy. And it keeps the moisture away from the (sometimes) rot prone base of the plants. Most plants do not get any water in winter ( beside some notocacti, because they do not like to be absolutely dry for a longer period). In high season some plants may appreciate a bit more water, in that case they might get it from above (like cleistocactus and echinocactus grusonii). Their is a lot more to tel about watering but this are somewhat my basics. Keep up the cactus loving spirit and happy growing!

[@87walker]

With the number of plants I have, watering from below is not a viable option unless I were to put all my plants in tubs which I do not like the look of. I would also prefer for increased air flow around the pots to reduce fungus, bacteria, etc When watering I do not get the body of the plants wet, I water at the base. There are so many ways to grow cactus successfully that I really think you need to trial different ways and work out what works best for you in your climate. Happy Gardening!

[@sirtessa]

Always appreciate your guidance (especially when you feature a couple of plants I have in my own collection, heh). Cheers!

[@87walker]

Glad you found the video helpful! Thanks for watching & Happy Gardening!

[@sandywall4079]

This spring my astrophytum myriostigma was beautiful and full. Looked like it didn’t need water. One morning went out to greenhouse and it was collapsed to one side. I watered it immediately and it has somewhat recovered but still leans slightly and is a little wrinkled on one side at the base. Are these plants more sensitive to lack of water? Are there any other signs to look for? Your videos are helping me move along quickly in my learning curve. Appreciate every one.

[@87walker]

Hello, I have not experienced Astrophytum collapsing before. They are a hard bodied plant and will usually just reduce in overall size rather than wrinkle or go soft. Astrophytum are incredibly drought resistant so would not consider them sensitive to under watering. If the tissue is soft I would be worried about rot. Good luck & Happy Gardening!

[@reiliski]

Great video brother especially for Aussie beginners. Keep it up

[@87walker]

Cheers! Glad you found the video helpful. So happy winter is finally on the way out, this one was gnarly. Bring on the warm weather! Happy Gardening!

[@michellec.4994]

I have a parodia cactus and it has buds. I bought it about 3wks ago. Its February... so how much water does it need??

[@KNME-]

I shouldn't stop watering if I live in a tropical country right?

[@enuphotography]

yep

[@TimosGarden]

Very nice Video! I found that with the Lobivia Pygmea variants often go squishy when they are under stress even when they are actively growing. SO the squishyness is not a good indicator on them imo. But thats just my experience ;)

[@87walker]

Thank-you! I've not got a great deal of experience with the Pygmea variants so my only reference point is when I first received the plant. It was not overly firm so I agree that squishyness is not the best indicator, I am however trying to get it back to its less squishy self and to a color that is not a stress response color. Thanks for watching & Happy Gardening!

[@porkchopginger7107]

let me share this to our grp very good video finally

[@eibie15]

Hello, how about a golden barrel. newly potted, 7 days ago. I just watered it but it's still showing signs of dehydration.

[@ToddBabs]

Thanks for another very informative video, always look forward to your new uploads!

[@87walker]

That's great to hear! Plenty more uploads coming this year... Happy Gardening!

[@nikomollov4950]

Amazing collection.

[@undenkz]

Hi, 87walker, how to water cacti indoors during mild winters? I live within the chihuahuan desert in west texas, my indoor temp do not go below 20 C. Thank you!

[@87walker]

Hello, For what reason do you bring them inside or do they live indoors all year round? With temperatures that high, your winter rest period would be a very mild and short term one.

[@cactusmann5542]

Thanks a lot, actually needed someone to explain overwintering and wake-up for cacti..some cacti ignore this, but the good ones do not... Very informative, especially for th gymnocalcium, astrophytum . Could you do followup for parodia/notocactus though????

[@87walker]

I find this time of year (the wake up time) the most precarious and dangerous. I will traditionally lose a plant or a few at this time, so I thought I would share my experience & you are right not many look at this specific period in the growth cycle. I do not consider Paraodia to be rot prone so I will treat them quite like gymnocalycium, they will generally respond with flower buds if they are ready to wake up and that is the indicator I look for. Thanks for watching & Happy Gardening!

[@Collection_of_unseen_nature]

Wonderful video! (need to watch it again) Question: How cold is it at your place winter time?

[@87walker]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video! My climate is considered mild we will have only a few days that actually reach freezing. In the height of winter it will usually stay around 4-10 degree Celsius with the occasional day here and there that is a bit warmer, Spring will also been generally cooler but will warm quite rapidly mid September. Happy Gardening!

[@benniebanks1041]

I love your plants I also have cactus! 😜

[@michellec.4994]

How dovyou know when they're waking up from dormancy??. I have some pop that look dehydrated and some that are shiny and plump! Its winter February!!

[@87walker]

New spines or flowers will form when they are waking, some need encouragement with a light drink but most will show you if you look closely.

[@RaelThomas]

Plants often wont enter vegetative growth if the facilitating conditions aren't there. That includes the presence of water and light and heat. If you deny them water when it's warming up you're only slowing their awakening. No doubt you should be careful with those rot-prone plants but I prefer to grow the plants a little more hastily. That said, lovely collection and to each his or her own!

[@julioramirezpena9510]

Great, I watch this video everytime I want to know how to care for cacti. I was wondering if you could provide me the names of your mammillarias in this video, please.

[@87walker]

Are there any in particular? I don't grow many mamms - Just a few like supertexta, san siro, dealbata (they are the white spined ones and the ones I get asked about the most) For some I have lost the labels so not sure exactly the type.

[@sandymclean9630]

Question please ... The crystal gems?

[@87walker]

Mystical power ha ha I like the way they look and who knows, maybe they do help the plants. Happy Gardening!

[@loveleecrafts7150]

Great video, very informative.🌵

[@87walker]

Thank-you! Happy Gardening!

[@Cactimania]

Very informative and helpful, thank you :)

[@87walker]

Most welcome... Happy Gardening!

[@markdale278]

Good 👍

[@TheRelixo1]

Thanks for the useful informations! :)

[@87walker]

Thank you & Happy Gardening!

[@cactusmann5542]

So, is it spring yet over there?

[@JorgeGarcia-sr5gs]

Tienes una colección muy guapa y natural. Un saludo

[@mohannadalmadanie4425]

Thanks for information🌹💐

[@87walker]

Glad you enjoyed the video... Happy Gardening!

[@briancarpenter3040]

Great Info !!!

[@rinaldyfaustino643]

Would it be harmful to the cacti if it gets watered during dormancy?

[@87walker]

Once, possibly not but you increase your chances of rot dramatically and could also potentially break dormancy which is not desirable. Happy Gardening!

[@rinaldyfaustino643]

@@87walkerits like this. i like the idea of keeping my cacti without shelter, and exposed to the elements for a more "wild approach" Do you think cacti can change its rythm of dormancy to adjust and suit my climate, given proper acclamitization? I live in a tropical country by the way. In Southeast Asia.

[@TrenT83]

бро, спасибо большое за видео)🏵🌵💓

[@87walker]

пожалуйста

[@Xpt-yu1pf]

You have a treasure

[@stitISH]

why do people cover the top of the pot of cactus with pebbles ? what is the reason

[@87walker]

It is called top dressing. I don't use a top dressing, my substrate mix is the same all the way through although some settling does occur. Top dressing has it's benefits in reducing pests & diseases, reduces substrate disturbance when watering and a few others perks! Happy Gardening!

[@Mdarafat-sk7gt]

How to get cactus from you

[@porkchopginger7107]

Babe, Do u have some coryphantas?

[@cwfelixxd400]

Make more videos, please!

[@michaelstillman6642]

where about in OZ are you?

[@87walker]

Hey, I am from Melbourne. Happy Gardening!

[@ManjuShrivastava]

Nice video, very important tip, great presentation like n sub plz stay connected always

[@hugodeandres1497]

What species is this guy here at 13:55

[@87walker]

Hello, the plant at 13:55 is Notocactus Hu 631 - i'm sorry I do not have any more information other than that. The number is suggestive of field collected seed but the reference I am not sure. Happy Gardening!