Cactus and Succulents

Watering cacti and succulents the right way is neither hard nor complicated! However, the number one reason why cacti or succulents die is actually improper watering. Here I will explain how I water my hundreds of cacti in the proper way to keep them plump! Cacti and succulents should only be watered 1–8 times every…

Perhaps you have a cactus that has grown too massive to support itself. It is bending and seems to topple down, but you’re unsure how to fix it. I have several cacti that become top-heavy, and here’s how I help my plant get back in shape. Cactus becomes top-heavy due to offset formation, rapid stem…

You have had a cactus with you for several years already, but it hasn’t given you a single flower despite being given the best growing conditions. How often do they flower? Generally, cacti shoot up flowers every year during their blooming season. However, some factors delay their bud formation, such as 1) maturity, 2) species,…

You are repotting your cactus and noticed that it has rotten roots. The root tips seem to be dead, but you’re not sure what needs to be done. They need trimming, and here’s how I do it with my cactus for years. To successfully trim any cactus roots it is necessary to 1) uproot the…

If you have ever been to a desert, you’ve probably wondered how cacti survived the diverse environmental condition. They must have powerful roots that sustained them through drought, strong winds, and periodic downpours. What do their roots look like from beneath the surface? Cactus roots look woody and extensive. Their roots evolved to gather water…

Water is a limited resource in desert landscapes, yet plants such as cacti thrived in the barren region. How do they survive several months of drought? Cacti store water in their stems and enlarged roots that contain collapsible water storage cells called parenchyma. The cells have flexible walls that expand and shrink depending on the…