Gardening
Cactus - please help me identify it
Astronaut1298 · 19/03/2023 16:15
Hi all
I was given a Cactus and have never had one before. Could you please help me identify it?
I have read up and found that they only need to be watered once a week or sometimes once every 2 weeks?
Thanks in advance :)
NanTheWiser · 19/03/2023 16:53
There are probably three young seedlings of a cactus in the Cereus family in the pot. These seem to be quite common in supermarkets and garden centres now. My knowledge of Cereioids isn’t too good as I don’t grow them (I have hundreds of others!).
Watering is very dependent on where you keep it - assume it’s indoors? If so, on your sunniest windowsill. Cacti should be allowed to dry completely before watering again, so there is no hard and fast rule, but obviously more in summer when the weather is hot, very little in winter.
Don’t allow water to remain in the outer pot - always take it out to water, allow to drain before replacing it.
NanTheWiser · 19/03/2023 17:04
Ah! I think I’ve found it - Pilosocereus gounellei. This group of cacti grow tall to several metres in habitat, and unlikely to flower indoors.
Astronaut1298 · 19/03/2023 17:33
@NanTheWiser thank you for your reply!! I will definitely move it to a windowsill with proper sunlight and thanks for the tip regarding not leaving the water in the pot 😀
MereDintofPandiculation · 20/03/2023 11:10
Remember cacti are designed to store water to keep them ticking over in drought. If you’re ever unsure about watering, go for less rather than more.
Astronaut1298 · 21/03/2023 14:39
@MereDintofPandiculation thank you! I will keep that in mind
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