How to water cactus correctly?

Watering is very important for cacti, but… are you doing it right? There are many people who, for fear of losing them, simply pour water from a small glass over them every few days; there are others, however, who try to keep the soil moist at all times. Is this correct? The truth is that extremes are never extremes. 

So that you do not have problems I will explain how to water cactus correctly, that is to say, avoiding those opposite poles that are just as harmful for these prickly and precious plants.

You have to use a watering can with »flower»

The watering can with its flower is the most effective and practical irrigation tool. If we have few cacti, a small one of 1 or 2 liters will serve us, but if we have a collection or are going to have it soon, it is more advisable to get some 5l. There are larger ones, but once full they are too heavy and can turn a pleasant experience into a significant discomfort, in addition to the risk it poses for those people who usually feel pain in the back.

The water should come out of the drainage holes

This is essential. If we water just a little bit, or if we spray the surface of the soil, the roots will not hydrate. For this reason, it is always better to pour water until what is not absorbed comes out of the drainage holes. But beware we have to notice that the precious liquid goes down, that is, it penetrates the substrate.

In the event that it goes quickly towards the edges, we will have a problem that can be easily solved. In fact, we just have to take the pot and put it in a basin of water. In this way, the substrate will stop being compact, and will be able, again, to re-absorb the liquid that the cactus needs to live.

You do not have to put a plate under them

To the cacti they do not like to have water puddled in their roots; What's more, if they spend a long time like this, it is normal for them to rot and die. For this reason, it is totally inadvisable to put one on them, unless we have a good memory and we always remember - I repeat, always - to remove the water that has been left over ten minutes after having watered.

Rainwater is the best for watering

Regardless of the type of plant we have, rainwater is the best. The purest and cleanest that we can find. But of course, not all of us can water with this water, so ... what do we do? Since cacti are not very demanding plants either, it will be enough to do the following:

• We will fill a bucket with tap water.
• We will let it rest overnight (or 12 hours).
• Then, we fill a watering can with the water that is more towards the upper half.
• And finally we will water with it.

Thus, heavier residues will not harm plants it will have remained at the bottom of the container.

If you need to know when to water, here You have all the information.

You know that if you have any questions, you can ask. 