Planting Your Cacti
Plant cacti in a cactus potting soil mixture, or make your own mix by adding equal parts sand, cow manure and garden soil.
These plants require adequate sunlight; if necessary, supplement the sunlight with additional bright light, so the plants receive a minimum of 12 hours light each day during the growing season (early spring to mid autumn).
Feeding
Cacti and succulents require a different ratio of nutrients that regular houseplants – so choose a fertiliser designed specifically for cactus and succulents. Feed the plants 5-10-10 fertiliser every two to three months, except after transplanting. And remember not to use fertiliser during the dormant season. This is the plants winter break.
You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy succulents! And that is pretty much the same thing.
Repotting
Once a cactus grows to within 1/4 inch of the edge of its pot, it is time to transplant it. Once it completes its dormant period, move it to the next-size pot. If your plant looks unhappy, you may need to re-pot in order to inspect the roots. Wait two weeks after repotting to water. Large plants can be repotted every 3-4 years.
Watering
Cacti require water – just like any other plant. Try to keep them as dry as possible by not watering from mid-Autumn, to early-Spring ; this is their dormant period, their winter rest. At the beginning of spring it is time to start watering succulent and cacti again – start gradually. Increase your light watering to once a week throughout spring and summer. Allow the soil to dry between waterings, but don’t forget that smaller pots dry out faster than the large ones. In the dormant period they should be kept in a dry, cool and airy position.
Water thoroughly, so that you see the water drain out of the pot. Then water again only when you when the top half-inch of the soil has dried out. From early autumn you should reduce the amount of water you are putting on, to prepare for winter. Do this gradually to allow the plants to harden their tissues and become more inactive in preparation of the dormant period.