My neighbor insists his new cactus needs a big drink every day

He's going to kill it with that much water, especially in our humid Georgia air. I learned from the Atlanta Botanical Garden that most cacti need the soil to dry out fully between waterings, even in summer. Has anyone else had to gently correct a friend's overwatering habit?

3 comments

3 Comments

nora1018d ago

Oh man, that's a surefire way to get root rot. My cousin did the exact same thing with a little barrel cactus she bought. She was so proud of keeping it alive for a month with daily water, until it turned to complete mush. I had to show her pictures of what a thirsty cactus actually looks like, all wrinkled and sad, versus a drowned one. It's such a common mistake, especially when people treat them like regular houseplants. How did your neighbor take the advice?

nathan_patel18d ago

My neighbor's cactus actually thrives on weekly water in gritty mix.

nancys9017d ago

Ugh, that's so sad about your cousin's cactus! I feel like @nathan_patel's neighbor must have some kind of magic touch with that gritty mix.