Desert cacti: From spring to autumn place them in the sunniest position. You can place them outdoors but protected from rain. From mid autumn, bright and cool. Water thoroughly from late spring to early autumn. From mid autumn keep dry. Give cacti fertiliser every fourteen days when new growth appears. Epiphytic cacti on the other hand, need more water, high humidity and they do not want sun. Do not mix or grow desert cacti with jungle ones, as the two groups need entirely different conditions.
Desert cacti have spines as these maximise the surface area of the plant. Often their only source of moisture is wet mists passing through the desert in winter and they collect water from the mists, which condenses on their spines.
SOME BASIC RULES
LIGHT – South, west or east exposure. Special attention should be given to young plants, or plants that have spent most of their life in shade as exposing them to the sun may cause sunburns. …read more about light
If they are in shade, turn them around, towards the light, every now and then to maintain even growth.
If you notice elongated growth, your plants need to be taken in a position with more light.
– The worst enemy of cacti is over watering. Place a thin wooden stick or a pencil in the soil. If soil sticks to it when removed, DO NOT WATER.
When watering, give them plenty of water.
Empty the saucers of any excess water, cacti hate having. …read more about watering
SOIL – Cacti prefer well drained soil. The best is mix of two parts compost, one part red soil and half part sand.
FERTILIZER – As a general rule, cacti do not need a lot of fertilizing. However they do appreciate it occasionally. …read more about fertilize
PESTS AND DISEASES – Prevention is the best cure. Examine your plants closely every now and then in order to spot in time any insects or fungi.