My cactus flower is dying it never bloomed what should I ...
0ft to light, direct
3” pot without drainage
Last watered 4 days ago
13
Best Answer
Hi Ozge, cacti need to be in pots with drainage ( terracotta preferably)and good, chunky soil (50% cactus/succulent soil & 50% perlite). I also add Orchid Bark to my soil mix. All this helps the soil breathe. Heavy soil will kill your cactus fast. They need 6-8 hours minimum a day of direct sunlight, but they also need the heat from the sun to keep their roots from getting cold - which makes them rot. I can’t tell the soil it’s in because the cactus take up all the room, but this is what I would suggest. You should repot it into a 4 in terracotta pot with drainage hole. Mix the soil I suggest up there. Once repotted- do NOT water it for 7 days (that gives the roots time to heal as they get a bit hurt in the process). Make sure you put it in full sun- preferably outdoors, and if you can’t do outdoors- put it where it can get the most heat. When you water- be sure to water enough that it pours out the bottom of the pot. Don’t let it sit in water- dump any water left in the saucer- if you have one- after 30 minutes. Barrels don’t need water often. I water mine every 20 days or so, but I live in Texas and it’s 100 degrees every day and it dries out fast. Here’s mine- it’s in a 6 inch terracotta pot. I hope this helps- f you need more help or have questions just ask 😊🪴💕
@IdolSalsify72 @Succulent_Soul
yes, all plants need pots with drainage. It's essential for their health. It helps the soil dry out faster, and allows excess fertilizer and mineral buildup to flush out. But this has nothing to do with your cactus flower dying. Cactus blooms are very short lived, so just remove the spent bud once it dries out. And move your cactus to a pot with drainage holes, ideally a terracotta pot.
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yes, all plants need pots with drainage. It's essential for their health. It helps the soil dry out faster, and allows excess fertilizer and mineral buildup to flush out. But this has nothing to do with your cactus flower dying. Cactus blooms are very short lived, so just remove the spent bud once it dries out. And move your cactus to a pot with drainage holes, ideally a terracotta pot.
Fyi, you have to include the person's username in your comment or they won't get a notification 🤗
Hi @IdolSalsify72 Are you sure? Do you have an updated pic?
In the plant profile pic it looks like it is already producing a fruit, which means it has flowered earlier🌸🥭
In the plant profile pic it looks like it is already producing a fruit, which means it has flowered earlier🌸🥭
If the bud never opened and is now drying up, unfortunately that bud has aborted. There’s nothing you need to do with it. Let it dry naturally and it will eventually fall off on its own, or you can gently remove it once it’s completely dry. The cactus itself can produce more flowers in the future if it’s healthy. Also, drainage would be advisable. Cacti hate wet feet! 🌵
@IdolSalsify72 , yes your cactus should, definitely, have a drainage hole(s). It only needs very small amounts of water twice a month. You may want to repot it in fresh soil if the roots are wet generally dry them off. I hope this helps. Good luck. 👍
@IdolSalsify72 Managing the Dying Bloom Wait to remove: Leave the shriveled flower until the base completely dries out and turns brown.Avoid forcing: Tugging on a firmly attached, green flower stalk can tear the plant tissue and create an entry point for bacteria or fungi. Clean snap: Once the stem is completely dry and shriveled, it should pop off easily with a gentle twist or light tug. Preventing Future Bud Failure. Adjust watering: Increase watering slightly to every 2 weeks when flower buds first appear, as extreme dryness causes the plant to abort blooms to save moisture. Check sunlight: Ensure the cactus receives at least 6 hours of direct, intense sun daily.Stabilize environment: Keep the plant away from sudden cold drafts, indoor air vents, or drastic temperature changes. Most almost all of the advice you’ve been given is spot on. A cactus is a desert dweller and needs arid gritty soil very little water. And pots with drainage holes!! But be aware that when the cactus starts to bloom it needs a bit more water than usual! Because the blooming process the cactus expands a lot of energy thus needing more water!! One more thing about having cute pots, they too need drainage holes! Don’t put pebbles in the bottom, because the water still has no way to drain out. And it will accumulate in the bottom of the pot with no where to go and the roots will sit in water for way too long this can cause root rot causing the cactus to die.