CVS, like other retailers, offers a variety of cacti, making plant ownership accessible. These plants are popular for their unique forms and low-maintenance nature. Bringing a cactus home can be a rewarding experience.
Understanding Your CVS Cactus
Cacti found at retailers are usually resilient desert varieties, often globular or columnar. These plants sometimes have artificial decorations like glued-on flowers or painted spines. While some find these appealing, they can harm the cactus by blocking light, airflow, or causing damage.
To remove glued-on flowers, gently pull them off or use rubbing alcohol to dissolve the glue. Painted spines will eventually wear off or be outgrown.
Essential Cactus Care
Cacti need bright, direct sunlight, ideally 6-8 hours daily. A south-facing window is best indoors, but west or east-facing windows can also work. Acclimate new cacti or those from lower light gradually to intense light to prevent sunburn.
Correct watering is crucial, as overwatering often causes problems. Use the “soak and dry” method: water thoroughly until it drains, then let the soil dry completely before rewatering. This means watering every 10-14 days in growing seasons (spring/summer) and every 4-6 weeks in dormant winter months.
Cacti need well-draining soil to prevent root rot. A specialized cactus or succulent mix ensures proper drainage. Most cacti prefer temperatures between 40°F and 85°F, with moderate humidity (10-30%).
Common Problems and Solutions
Root rot is a common problem, often caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or compacted soil. Symptoms include yellowing, wilting, mushy roots, and a foul odor. If suspected, remove the cactus, trim affected roots, air dry them, and repot in fresh, well-draining soil.
Cacti can suffer from pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats. Mealybugs appear as white, cotton-like clusters and can be removed with rubbing alcohol or insecticidal soap. Fungus gnats, small black flies, often signal overly moist soil; allow soil to dry and use sticky traps.
Insufficient light causes etiolation, where the cactus stretches, growing thin and weak. This irreversible growth can make the plant unstable. Move the cactus to a brighter location to prevent further etiolation. Shriveling or softness indicates either underwatering (dry, shriveled) or overwatering (soft, mushy).
Repotting Your Cactus
Repot when a cactus outgrows its container, indicated by roots emerging from drainage holes or appearing on the soil surface. Other signs include slowed growth, the plant becoming top-heavy, or soil drying faster. A general guideline is to repot every two to four years.
Choose a new pot with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Terracotta pots are good because their porous nature aids moisture evaporation. The new pot should be slightly larger than the old one to avoid excess moisture retention.
When repotting, wear thick gloves or use tongs for safety. Carefully remove the cactus, brush away old soil, and place it in the new pot with fresh cactus soil. After repotting, wait before watering to allow any root damage to heal.