Cactus Tips
Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-531 -- More Projects »
Gardening expert Marianne Binetti discusses how busy folks can still enjoy plants. Some of her tips include a homemade cacti soil, some great planter ideas and safe ways to replant without getting stuck.
- Never water cacti more than once a month. In the winter (when cacti are dormant) it needs watering even less than that.
A good rule of thumb: As soon as succulent leaves begin to get thin and wrinkled, water the plant. Just place it in a shallow bowl of water (figure A). It will draw the amount of water it needs in an hour or two. Take it out and don't worry about it again for another month or so.
Cinderblocks (figure B) are great containers for cacti because they hold heat and breathe. A great tip for planting cacti in a cinderblock is to place a couple of aluminum soda cans in the hole before filling. This will reduce the amount of mix necessary for planting but will be plenty of mix for cacti. Cacti can even be planted in their own pot.
Make your own cacti mix by combining one part builder's sand with three parts potting soil. The sand creates a very conducive mix because potting soil alone will hold in too much water, which will in turn kill cacti.
Pick up a sharp cactus by folding a newspaper several times to create a sleeve. Fold it around the cactus (figure C), then lift straight up.
Resources Easy Answers for Great Gardens: 500 Tips, Techniques, and Outlandish Ideas
by Marianne Binetti
Sasquatch Books, 2000
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Shortcuts for Accenting Your Garden: Over 500 Easy and Inexpensive Tips
by Marianne Binetti
Storey Books, 1993
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Tips for Carefree Landscapes: Over 500 Sure-Fire Ways to Beautify Your Yard and Garden
by Marianne Binetti
Storey Books, 1990
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Guests Marianne Binetti
Gardening Expert / Author
PO Box 872
Enumclaw, WA 98022
Phone: 360-825-6186
E-mail:
Info@BinettiGarden.com
Website:
www.binettigarden.com
Also in this Episode
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/ssl531_1a_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/ssl531_1b_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2002/09/05/ssl531_1c_e.jpg",350,450))
