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How Often Should You Feed a Cactus?

Cactuses have a reputation for being spiny, low-maintenance houseplants that even the brownest of brown-thumbed gardeners cannot kill. In reality, the cactus needs care just like any other plant, including regular fertilizer. Feeding schedules and requirements vary significantly between the two major types of cacti. Rain-forest cacti (also known as holiday cacti) have higher fertilization needs than those cacti found growing in desert climates.

  1. Types of Cacti

    • Cacti grow in a wide variety of climates, but two main types are found in American homes and landscapes. Rain-forest cacti include the Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti, Easter cactus and orchid cactus. These cacti should be fertilized in relation to their blooming period to encourage the best blooms. Desert cacti, like barrel cacti and prickly pears, generally prefer infrequent fertilization throughout their growing season.

    Feeding Desert Cacti

    • Desert cacti are the easiest of the cacti to fertilize. They have few needs due to the extreme climates where they evolved. Feed these cactus once monthly from June to September with a low-nitrogen fertilizer to discourage succulent growth; 5-10-5 or a fertilizer with similar ratios is recommended. Fish emulsion can also be applied to desert cacti.

    Feeding Holiday Cacti

    • Holiday cacti are fed on a schedule that encourages blooms at the proper time of year. Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti (Schlumbergia cacti) should be fertilized every two to four weeks from March to September with a one-quarter dilution of a balanced fertilizer. Easter cacti should be fertilized every two to four weeks throughout the year, except while they are in bloom.

    Slow-Release Fertilizer

    • Cacti are generally fed with liquid fertilizer that has to be replenished at least once monthly. Slow-release fertilizers are also an option for cacti, though they should be used carefully. Cacti should be treated with slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of their respective growing seasons -- June for desert cacti and March for Schlumbergia cacti. Easter cacti can receive a dose of slow-release fertilizer once they drops their blooms and begin to grow again.

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Growing Cactus
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  2. How Often Do You Need to Water a Baby Cactus?
  3. How Often Should You Fertilize Tomatillos?
  4. How Often Should You Mow Fescue?
  5. What Fertilizer Should I Use for My Cactus?
  6. How Often Should You Water Succulents?
  7. How to Fertilize a Cactus
  8. How to Feed a Cactus
  9. How Often Do You Fertilize Parsley?
  10. How Often Should You Fertilize Mint?
  11. What Type of Fertilizer Will Your Orchid Love, and When & How Often You Should Feed It?
  12. How Often Should You Water Mums?

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