Novice
1 post
26-Jun-2008
7:06 AM
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We have just had a patio built underneath our deck. I have monitored the sun and a certain area gets sunshine or very bright light for about 5 to 6 hrs daily. In this corner we have put a water fountain and round the sides in the gravel we have placed three cacti bought from Wal-Mart. The cacti are very pretty, healthy, and have been well cared for. This is the first time I have owned a cactus plant so I am very nervous about caring for these. They are still in their pots I don't know whether it would be better to plant them in the ground or to leave them in their pots. I figured I would have to bring them inside in the winter since the temperature here (central Alabama) falls well below the label's stated 50 deg minimum temperature. Unfortunately, being ignorant about cacti I do not know their names,(except one)and the labels were all generic so they were no help. One is a 3ft tall saguaro, that is the only one I know. Two are like mounded pin cushions one with long grey spikes and the other with several knobs on it and the fuzzy spikes are yellow. The third is a succulent, a beautiful pale grey plant that looks as though it has been fashioned out of wax with two flower stalks containing flower heads in the same wax like formation and structure, this is standing on a table in the shade. Any advice you can give me on the TLC these plant will need to keep their present beauty would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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thecactusdoctor
99 post s
30-Jun-2008
5:02 AM
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The saguaro can be planted directly in the ground as long as the temperatures do not reach below 40 degrees. It's also important that you plant your saguaro in a very dry and sunny area. Make sure there is no nearby water source. Your other plants can be left in the patio unless it becomes too cold then you will need to take them inside near a sunny window. The Cactus Doctor
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Novice
2 post s
30-Jun-2008
8:32 PM
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Thank you for your reply. It rained heavily yesterday and the cacti got a soaking including the big one. Is there anything I need to do? They are all very wet now.
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Novice
3 post s
30-Jun-2008
8:42 PM
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When you say "make sure there is no nearby water source" do you mean not to stand it anywhere near the fountain, or do you mean if we plant it in the ground make sure it is not near a stream?
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thecactusdoctor
105 post s
1-Jul-2008
5:19 AM
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You need to plant your cacti where there is no standing water or near other plants that are receiving irrigation. Your cacti should be in an area where they are allowed to slowly intake water moisture from the soil without being saturated with water. Being near a fountain is fine as long as the water overflow doesn't get on the cacti. The soil aroud your them needs to be kept dry accept for when it rains. The Cactus Doctor
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Novice
4 post s
2-Jul-2008
6:54 AM
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If they are planted in the garden they will get wet every time it rains, just as like now, they are soaking wet! It all sounds very hit and miss.....
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thecactusdoctor
109 post s
5-Jul-2008
1:40 PM
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Whenever you plant cacti in your garden I would reccomend putting a couple inches of gavel at the bottom of the hole to assure good drainage. The Cactus Doctor
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Novice
5 post s
11-Jul-2008
10:15 AM
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OK thanks for your time. I'll see how it goes :-)
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