Watering Problems for a Cactus

Cactus Planted Outdoors in the Ground

• Cactus planted outdoors does not need supplemental water, unless it shows signs of severe drought stress. For prickly pear cactus, it means puckered pads and pale color. With saguaros and other columnar cactus, severe drought produces a narrowing between ribs. If you can't get one or two fingers in between the ribs, it needs water. Barrel cactus may look puckered. If you poke the flesh gently with the eraser end of a pencil, it should be resilient. If it is not, water deeply. The roots of cactus planted outdoors radiate out, so do not pour water right at the base. Soak the ground at least a foot down and 3 feet out for smaller cactus, such as barrel, and up to 6 feet out for larger cactus, such as a 6- foot tall saguaro. Water once a month during the dry, hot months of April through June. If rainfall comes and soaks the ground thoroughly, skip the watering that month.

  Cactus planted outdoors does not need supplemental water, unless it shows signs of severe drought stress. For prickly pear cactus, it means puckered pads and pale color. With saguaros and other columnar cactus, severe drought produces a narrowing between ribs. If you can't get one or two fingers in between the ribs, it needs water. Barrel cactus may look puckered. If you poke the flesh gently with the eraser end of a pencil, it should be resilient. If it is not, water deeply. The roots of cactus planted outdoors radiate out, so do not pour water right at the base. Soak the ground at least a foot down and 3 feet out for smaller cactus, such as barrel, and up to 6 feet out for larger cactus, such as a 6- foot tall saguaro. Water once a month during the dry, hot months of April through June. If rainfall comes and soaks the ground thoroughly, skip the watering that month.

Cactus Planted in Pots Outdoors

• Cactus must be planted in a cactus planting mix, as regular potting soil holds too much water and promotes root rot. Potted cactus outdoors and in full sun needs more water than one planted in the ground. Cactus in pots need more water because the sides of the pot and the roots are exposed to more heat from the sun. During the months of April through September, water potted cactus about every week, skipping weeks with cool, cloudy or rainy days. Water it thoroughly until water drains out the bottom.

Cactus Planted in Pots Indoors

• Growing cactus indoors is difficult, as they need bright light but no direct sun. This means moving them depending on the season. It is that the pot has a drainage hole. Many shallow planters for cactus do not have holes in the bottom. This guarantees root rot. Cactus growing indoors should be watered about once a month during the summer. Make sure the soil has completely dried out before watering. A moisture meter is a valuable tool that measures the soil's moisture level.

Watering Succulents

• Succulents, such as ocotillo and agave, have different water requirements. Ocotillo looks better with monthly watering throughout the summer months, provided the soil drains well. Agave should be watered weekly during dry summer months. As with cactus, soak the roots thoroughly