What is the best way to water my Sausage-chain cactus?
It's important to know various ways to water the Sausage-chain cactus. Some might ask whether they should do the watering from top to bottom, or is it the opposite? According to the experts, one of the best ways to water the cactus is to start from the bottom. This will ensure that there will be enough water to reach the root of the plants. If you're starting from the top, there will not be enough saturation. The water will trickle and evaporate, and only a small amount will reach its roots.
What should I do if my Sausage-chain cactus is underwatered?
Sometimes, you might notice that even if you water it frequently enough, it will start to dry out. When you see that the flowers are beginning to wilt and there's not enough water, the issue might be in the container where they are planted. Choose a bigger one if this is the case. Buy a pot that drains easily. You will need to mix it with the right potting soil and clean sand so it will absorb more water easier. The soil that is too wet will not go well with the roots. Since this species is an epiphyte, it won't be able to handle soggy roots since it absorbs water and nutrients from the air. It's best to ensure that there's proper drainage to prevent fungal infections. When you notice the cactus is limp, you can transfer or re-pot it into fresh earth. Gently remove the soil as much as possible and keep it evenly moist. Mist the cactus frequently whenever possible. After the flowers have finished blooming, you might want to cut back on watering until you see new buds appearing. When the soil dries too much, the buds will begin to drop, so you might want to add some water but not too much. Sometimes, underwatering, which is followed by overwatering that many owners do for compensation, is quite common. These cacti are considered to be succulents. The lack of water is not noticeable until everything is too late. They show that there are issues when they begin to droop and wither. The well-intentioned plant owner will give them massive amounts of water. This is where the roots become desiccated. They become so dry that they can't take in any excess water. It will result in waterlogged plants, and the remaining roots may rot. If you notice some signs of wilting or underwatering, you can try to bring the species back to life with regular and frequent watering. However, make sure that it won't be a deluge, so you'll give the cactus a chance to regenerate and recover its roots.
How much water should I give my Sausage-chain cactus?
The Sausage-chain cactus must be properly watered to keep it healthy all year round. It should be potted in well-draining soil so it would produce beautiful blooms. The amount of water that the Sausage-chain cactus needs can vary. When you see that about 1/3 of the topsoil is dry, this is the best time to water them. They are thirstier than the other succulents, so watering should take place about 1x every week. Use your fingers to check if the soil is about two inches dry. If you notice that the soil is very dry on the top layer, run the water until it goes through the drainage of the pots. There should be a tray underneath to catch the extra water. After about 10 to 15 minutes, discard everything, including the excess water. The soaking method should work well with the Sausage-chain cactus but don't let it sit on the water-filled pot for a long time. When the species is in its flowering stage, it's highly recommended to water it sparingly. Ideally, the best time to water them is when you notice that the leaves begin to droop. Make sure to fill the saucer of the pots with pebbles. Add water to the pebbles to add humidity to your Sausage-chain cactus. The best way to understand whether it's time to water the Sausage-chain cactus is to check the soil. When it's too dry, simply add water and moisture. However, don't let the pot sit in the water, especially during the winter when the soil takes a long time to dry. This can cause root rot. Know that these species can react to various seasonal changes. Watering it the correct way will mean that you should consider the climate. If you live in a dry and hot climate, the plants will need more watering, which is about twice per week. If you live in a humid area, then watering only 1x a week can work well. You should water this less frequently in the fall and winter if you want the flowers to bloom. When the pots are exposed to too much sunlight, then the moisture will dry out faster. This is when the plant needs more watering. Watering should be less if it is in a cool or humid place.
What will happen if I overwater my Sausage-chain cactus?
Sometimes, you might overwater your Sausage-chain cactus, which makes it look limp or wilted. When you've neglected it for too long, give it a little drink. Continue to provide it with water in a sparing way until you see that there's slight moisture in the soil. Overwatering can cause the development of a fungal infection called white rot. The leaves tend to droop, which might result in wilting. Like any other species, the cactus can't stand overwatering or underwatering. They don't tolerate dry soil since the flowers will start dropping at the same time, and this is something that you don't want to happen.
Should I adjust the frequency of watering my Sausage-chain cactus according to different seasons?
The cold months and the hot months are not the same. The temperatures tend to drop during the winter and fall, and the soil will take longer to dry. This is when you don't need to water the succulents often. These two seasons are also the best time for the Sausage-chain cactus to show its beautiful blooms. Water sparingly to maintain the health of the plant. During the months of October, stop watering when there's too much water in the soil. Resume the care in November but keep the moisture light when the temperatures are still cool. When the blooms start to appear, stop watering for about a few weeks so the plants can rest from too much moisture. These are very delicate, so when you see new growth, you can resume the watering once a week if you need to.
Should I water my Sausage-chain cactus differently when I plant it indoors vs outdoors?
Your plant's location is something you need to consider when it comes to its watering needs. When the plant grows near the window or outdoors, the air might be too dry, and the temperatures are too high. This is where you should water the plant for about 2x a week. When it's growing indoors in a humid and cool environment, it will definitely need less watering. Indirect sunlight will also have an impact since the soil does not tend to dry out faster. This is where the succulent will just be fine with once-a-week watering. However, you still need to check the soil with a moisture meter to know what it needs.
What is the optimal temperature for Sausage-chain cactus?
Colder temperatures can affect plants since they have the same temperature as the air around them. When they are exposed to the sun, they can start to get warm again, but this is not the case during winter. The temperature range for the Sausage-chain cactus is often 70~85℉(21~30℃). They might tolerate 20~30℉(-6~0℃) even 15℉(-10℃), but not for long since this can result in frost damage. Maximum temperatures should be around 70~85℉(21~30℃), but make sure that you spray them with water from time to time and give them some shade to prevent wilting.
Should I adjust the temperature for Sausage-chain cactus during different growing phases?
Do some research and make sure that the temperature is right when growing Sausage-chain cactus. Some growers might consider decreasing the plants' thermostats during the growing season to reduce HVAC costs. However, it's vital to understand that the temperature can affect the flowering, pest management, and quality of the plants. There will be a temperature point where the Sausage-chain cactus will stop growing, and this can happen during the winter when some species might go into a dormant state. The base temperature becomes warmer when the season changes and the Sausage-chain cactus can grow faster. The species that are naturally growing in warm habitats have higher optimum temperatures when you compare them to the ones that thrive in a cooler climate. When the seeds of Sausage-chain cactus are exposed to cool temperatures, this can cause a decrease in uniformity and delays. You might also want to lower the temperature during flowering but not at other phases. Cooler temperatures at night will also require less water, so adjust the irrigation as needed.
How can I keep Sausage-chain cactus warm in cold seasons?
Stop fertilizing the plant to avoid new growth and allow the old ones to become hardy. This way, they can endure colder temperature when it begins to drop. To keep them warm, you can build structures around the Sausage-chain cactus like cages or trellises. There are also options to use heat mats that can gently warm the soil since they can consistently maintain an ideal temperature range for the Sausage-chain cactus.
How can I save Sausage-chain cactus from temperature damage?
During winter, you can protect the Sausage-chain cactus from frost by covering it with cloths, tarps, burlaps, sheets, or plastic buckets. Make sure to keep them down so they continue to act as insulators and the wind will not blow them away. However, ensure that the plastic sheets or burlap covers should not touch any part of the fruit or foliage, or the cold temperatures can transfer to the material and cause burns. When the temperatures begin to rise during the daytime, remove the covers.
Should I adjust the temperature for Sausage-chain cactus in different seasons?
When growing the Sausage-chain cactus in spring, you might want to increase humidity since the air temperature tends to be cooler at this time. A dry temperature can be a stressful growing environment for various species, which can help. If summer arrives, the large cover of the greenhouse and the warm temperature will mean that there will be a higher humidity level in the air. Some signs to look for are the condensation that is often found on the walls of the greenhouse, and this can cause issues with pollination and the development of infections when the water begins to fall on the leaves. Make adjustments according to the temperature and do some spraying during the hotter days of the year.
What damage will Sausage-chain cactus suffer if the temperature is too high/low?
Generally, the first cold snap can destroy the Sausage-chain cactus and others might go into a dormant state when the temperature is low. Some plants can get chilled when the temperatures range from 20~30℉(-6~0℃). They can freeze when the temperature begins to drop below 32℉(0℃). Those species that hide most of their parts under the soil might lose their structures above ground, but they can recover in spring. Some of the associated issues with too low temperatures are the lack of availability of resources like water, and nutrients, and those subtropical plants can suffer when the temperature reaches below 20℉(-6℃). The plants can also get damaged because of extreme heat stress when it's too high. This can reduce the transpiration rate that can affect the growth and productivity of Sausage-chain cactus.
What tips and cautions should I keep in mind when it comes to temperature for Sausage-chain cactus?
You need to cover the plants at night since these can add about 5 degrees more to protect the species from frost and freezing temperatures. The cloth rows can work well as blankets and ensure that there are no openings where the heat could escape. When using the covers, avoid the plastic from touching the foliage because this can cause the Sausage-chain cactus to freeze. Remember to keep the covers during the day and stop using heat pads during the summer. It will always be worth the effort to protect the cold-intolerant plants from freezing temperatures to help them survive.
How can I keep Sausage-chain cactus warm without a heat pad?
If you prefer not to use a heat pad, bring the Sausage-chain cactus inside, especially if it's freezing outdoors. During spring, consider the ones you need to bring indoors and plant them in moveable pots and containers.
How can I provide Sausage-chain cactus with an adequate temperature condition?
Most often, the ones caring for the Sausage-chain cactus will grow them in greenhouses. This is because they can provide adequate temperature in these areas that won't affect the photosynthesis process of a specific process. Some install the proper HVAC systems to control the temperatures of Sausage-chain cactus. This can handle many species' cooling and heating needs, especially during the summer and winter. They generally place the cooling or heating pad under the plants rather than above to achieve their desired temperatures. If outdoors, you can protect the Sausage-chain cactus from frost by covering it with cloths, tarps, burlaps, sheets, or plastic buckets.
Under what conditions should I stop adjusting the temperature for Sausage-chain cactus?
Heat mats are often left on Sausage-chain cactus to set the temperatures at a more consistent level. When the weather becomes warmer during the day, you can remove them, especially if the species are exposed to the sun. Put the pads away once the plants are established and when they start growing flowers and fruits.