I need help with my pet cactus

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18 Comments

Okay, so just to help you get cleared up on this.... I have a pet cactus name Fennec. I got him from CVS and he is a live cacti. I only got him about 3 days ago. I know the basics like he needs watering once a month and sun light. But since it is winter I don’t wanna freeze him to death in the window chill so I use a normal desk light and directly shine it on him for a few hours. The brand he is from is Live Trends. I didn’t know if I’m doing something wrong with Fennec or if he is just fine with my methods. I need advice and a way to make Fennec live a long life beside me. Also this could be combined with a little opinionating, so I guess is it normal to have a pet cactus and name it and talk to it? Don’t forget to give me your methods and tips for a correct life for him and correct me if I’m doing something wrong! Also I have him in the pot I got him in. Do i have to change the pot at some point? Also what do I feed him? D9 I even five him some kind of plant food?

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88% Normal
Based on 8 votes (7 yes)
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Comments ( 18 )
  • dasanderin66
    6 years ago

    mine was perfectly fine and then it went all mooshy at the base. I think there might of been water that spilled into it if so you should cut off the bottom.

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    • Silverseen
      6 years ago

      Ok

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  • dasanderin66
    6 years ago

    Lets just say i killed my cactus in about three days.....is that even possible?!?!?!?!?

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    • lordofopinions
      5 years ago

      Yes. Cactus need very little water. Some species live quite nicely sitting on a surface with no soil or watering. They get all they need from the air such as moisture. The best way to kill a cactus is to water it too much.

      As far as nutrients go I don't have a clue. You'll have to Google it or talk to a plant specialist at a store. I would suspect very little to none as cactus in their normal environment live in sand with no nutrition like dead plant matter in the sand.

      As far as artificial lighting goes look for daylight or natural light bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are yellowish and at too low a light frequency. The whiter the better. I have two livingroom lights and both have low frequency (4700) CFL bulbs to simulate incandescent bulbs to give off a softer yellow light as that is what I am used to in a livingroom setting rather than a harsh white light of 5200 CFL or LED bulbs. In the bathroom I prefer natural (white) light bulbs.

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    • Silverseen
      6 years ago

      I mean, I think? But ummm 3 days? Wow just bravo!

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  • Boojum
    6 years ago

    The light from normal lamps doesn't have all the right wavelengths for plants to stay healthy.

    You can get LED grow lights which do provide the proper spectrum. They fit in normal light sockets, they aren't that expensive, and they should last for many years.

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    • Silverseen
      6 years ago

      Okay thank you a billion! I will order one as soon as possible!

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  • e51pegasi
    6 years ago

    Cacti have a growing & a rest period linked to length of daylight hours, roughly March to September. I feed using general purpose liquid fertilizer. Try to repot every year (very early in the spring) using high draining cactus compost & in a pot that is only slightly larger than the last one. Try to keep em well ventilated, but not draughty.

    The biggest mistake people make is overwatering that causes the root to rot, especially in the colder dormant phase. You can check the soil's water content using a moisture meter, they're dirt cheap I think I paid £5 for mine.

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    • Silverseen
      6 years ago

      Alright thank you! 😁

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  • paramore93
    6 years ago

    I have cacti :D
    It's a misconception that they don't need watering often, they will survive off little water but they won't be as healthy ..
    You should be watering it once a week ..
    They're pretty strong plants and will do fine in cold temperatures as long as they are getting enough water and natural light :)

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    • Silverseen
      6 years ago

      Okay thank you!!!! 😁😁😁😁😁

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  • RoseIsabella
    6 years ago

    I don't think cacti have genders. Marijuana, however, does have male and female plants. Male Marijuana plants are useless.

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    • lordofopinions
      5 years ago

      Ask any female on here and they will agree with you 100%!! LOL

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    • Silverseen
      6 years ago

      Okay then. Well, I beg a differ

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  • Avant-Garde
    6 years ago

    I've owned a number of cactuses and succulents that I kept indoors. He should do fine if you have indoor heating. On cold days when the heating refused to turn on, my cactuses still did well. I haven't tried putting them right next to a bright light but, I did try to keep two in my room. They got more artificial light than natural sunlight. They both became sick and died. It's an absolute necessity that they get natural sunlight. If the roots become overcrowded, replant them in a larger pot. If the roots become exposed cover them with more soil or sand.

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    • Avant-Garde
      6 years ago

      You can try looking online for a forum specializing in cactuses/succulents.

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      • Avant-Garde
        6 years ago

        I used to name mine. They're receptive to communication. Studies have been done to see how they react to certain genres of music. Classical and jazz are the best with rock/metal being among the worse. Take a look at the book or documentary,'The Secret Life of Plants'. Here's a link to the book on Barnes and Noble: https://m.barnesandnoble.com/p/secret-life-of-plants-peter-tompkins/1003204089/2678621957287?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_New+Marketplace+Shopping+Textbooks_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP164984&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI86qOkvuK2AIVw0oNCh0w7AzhEAQYAiABEgKqy_D_BwE

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    • Silverseen
      6 years ago

      Ok thank you so much! I will try giving him natural light.

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