Help for a Mini Cactus That Is Dying

The Latest Gizmo

• Mini pet cactus are a gift and novelty item. The low-care needs of cactus are likely why the contained plant was developed. There is a nutrient solution inside the dome and the plant recycles its moisture just like a terrarium. Other than that the plant needs nothing but sun which you provide as you tote your "pet" around with you. The cactus species used is a common variety and has the same requirements as any cactus.

Repot

• Cactus grow in gritty soil with low fertility and moisture. The trapped plant is growing in a liquid medium that may be delivering too much moisture for a drought-tolerant plant. Crack the casing and remove the cactus. Let it dry on the counter for a few days to a week and then insert it into an even mixture of peat and sand. Do not water the plant for the first three to four weeks as it acclimates to its new environment.

Fertilize

• The product states that the solution inside the dome has all the nutrients the cactus needs; however, as the cactus intakes the nutrients, the solution becomes depleted over time. This leaves the plant in a fertility-low medium and can contribute to loss of vigor or disease. Once the plant has been removed and re-potted, apply a half dilution of cactus or succulent fertilizer at its first watering and then every two weeks during the growing season.

Sun

• Think about it. You often tuck your key chain in your pocket or it is in the house on a hook by the door. It may reside in the depths of your purse or get thrown in the junk drawer. None of these locations provides adequate light for a cactus. Cacti are high-light plant species and need at least six to eight hours of sun per day. They thrive in even higher levels. Simply placing the plant in a sunny location could salvage the plant. It should also be kept where temperatures are at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit.