Wrinkly Balloon Cactus
Hi! My balloon cactus has become quite wrinkly. I assume because I’ve underwatered it! I was only watering once per month since it’s winter here. Should I be watering more frequently? I’m terrified to overwater! @SvelteKingfern @Sirlicorice #CactusClique #Cactus #SucculentSquad #babevila
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 weeks ago
20
@BabeVila I was always told that cactus, in their natural habitat don't get water very frequently but when they do they get a lot of it all at once then none for a while. So to recreate that when my cactus completely dries out I water it thoroughly then let it completely dry out again. You would only be watering more frequently in the summer when it's hotter outside and the soil dries out quicker.
@princesspitstop Right, that was my thinking, too, and I use the soak and dry method for all my cacti/succulent babies lol. Just concerned about the wrinkles!
@princesspitstop I did that 10 days ago but it didn’t do anything and I’m afraid to do it again so soon… lol but maybe I’ll try it; the soil is dry so…🤷🏻♀️ I will just be so mad at myself if I overwater this one, it’s one of my favorites lol but I think you’re right, it shouldn’t hurt if it’s this dehydrated
Hi everyone!
Absolutely the soil could be slightly hydrophobic. But also;
When cacti haven’t been watered a lot their little feeder roots die off, these roots help the plants absorb the water you feed them. Good news is they grow back! Just be patient, water as soon as the soil is almost completely dry and those little feeder roots will come back soon enough and make it possible for your cactus to absorb the drink and plump up again. It can take a hot minute. But as long as you let the soil almost dry out between watering, you won’t risk drowning your plant. As a rule of thumb I drench when watering, but to be honest, until the feeder roots return (give it 3 weeks) you can pull back the quantity a tiny bit, but still be consistent and water when dry.
Absolutely the soil could be slightly hydrophobic. But also;
When cacti haven’t been watered a lot their little feeder roots die off, these roots help the plants absorb the water you feed them. Good news is they grow back! Just be patient, water as soon as the soil is almost completely dry and those little feeder roots will come back soon enough and make it possible for your cactus to absorb the drink and plump up again. It can take a hot minute. But as long as you let the soil almost dry out between watering, you won’t risk drowning your plant. As a rule of thumb I drench when watering, but to be honest, until the feeder roots return (give it 3 weeks) you can pull back the quantity a tiny bit, but still be consistent and water when dry.
If you've been watering once a month, the roots are still there. Cacti roots may begin to die with the frequency longer than a month. So, you don't need to worry there. But to be sure, push your cactus GENTLY with your finger, and see how it sits in the dirt. If there's some resistance and the cactus springs back to it's original position, it means the roots are intact. If the roots are weak (cactus falls over), tag me immediately, because there's other technique than the one I'm describing below.
Your cactus clearly needs more water. I suggest to wait till it's 21 days from the last watering. Then put almost whole pot with the cactus in the watering dish, the way you usually do bottom watering but submerge the pot much deeper, almost to the brim. Wait 30 minutes, then remove the pot with the cactus. The reason for this is that the soil might have become hydroponic. When you water this way for longer, I mean this 30 minutes, you will be certain that the cactus gets the water it needs.
When you do this, tag me a week later, and tell me how it goes.
Never water your cactus more frequently, with not much water with more water or whatever.
Your cactus clearly needs more water. I suggest to wait till it's 21 days from the last watering. Then put almost whole pot with the cactus in the watering dish, the way you usually do bottom watering but submerge the pot much deeper, almost to the brim. Wait 30 minutes, then remove the pot with the cactus. The reason for this is that the soil might have become hydroponic. When you water this way for longer, I mean this 30 minutes, you will be certain that the cactus gets the water it needs.
When you do this, tag me a week later, and tell me how it goes.
Never water your cactus more frequently, with not much water with more water or whatever.
@SvelteKingfern Will do! Thank you! You’ve always been my Succulent Sensei, lol! 😂 I very much appreciate everyone’s input, and everyone’s suggestions re: hydrophobic soil got me thinking, in my efforts not to overwater or create an environment in which that can easily happen, I may not have enough actual dirt in the mix…It’s like, 90% gritty rocks and some perlite and the tiniest amount of cactus soil. Do you think I should add a little more for at least a tiny bit more water retention? As it is now, it always dries out in less than 48 hours, so I think it’s probably less that the soil is hydrophobic and more that I didn’t put enough soil in the mix from the start. Or should I add some orchid bark/coco husk/coir, perhaps? Also, the roots are super healthy, I checked them when I first noticed the wrinkles last week! And he is firmly anchored in his pot. I will definitely give him 30
Minutes in the container in deeper water next time I water him (I always bottom water, thanks to you! Lol) but lmk if you think I’ve not given the water enough to hold onto. It’s entirely possible since I was so concerned with not overwatering lol! 🤍
Minutes in the container in deeper water next time I water him (I always bottom water, thanks to you! Lol) but lmk if you think I’ve not given the water enough to hold onto. It’s entirely possible since I was so concerned with not overwatering lol! 🤍
@princesspitstop Definitely not bothering me! I apologize for dropping off, I got a migraine at work and spent the last several hours in the dark lol! Yes it does dry out fast, as I know they prefer to dry out relatively quickly, but you all got me thinking maybe I didn’t put enough water-retentive substrate in the first place, in my fear of overwatering, I may have “over corrected.” Lol but I will do a good, long soak next time I water. And possibly assess the soil mix ratios haha 🌿
@Charli3Plant @AmberMallow @princesspitstop @RichBlackprince Thank you! I love this community we have here 🤗💚🌿
Typically cactus and succulents dont mind that wrinkling in winter and it will plump right back up! But i still would let ot totally dry out before watering again. One thing id try to do is find the coolest but brightest spot for it you can! They realky do like to be pretty chill in the winter. Amd the cooler you can keep it iver winter the more it will reward you in spring
@TheConservator is right about keeping your cactus in cool temperature in Winter (for blooming). However, as Winter is almost near the end, and your cactus is not in an optimal condition (dry), it's better not to change the temperature now, and confuse the plant right before the Spring. Cacti that are being confused, by an unusual temperature change (I mean it's not the end of Autumn, but the end of Winter) do not grow that well when the growing season comes.
@SvelteKingfern thank you and @TheConservator thank you, I will remember this for next year!