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This list of errors is compiled when analyzing the statistics of questions on social networks, when an amateur asks us for help . The top five are constant year after year and do not change. The first mistake: to plant a cactus whenever you want. 80% of cacti and other succulents are bought in autumn, winter and spring. Usually the seller can sell you a pot and a soil mixture at the same time. And then most of us run almost immediately to transplant the plant, not noticing the season of the year. If the transplant is carried out during the period from October to February, the probability that the plant will die is very high. This period in the temperate zone is characterized by insufficient illumination and a short duration of daylight. In such conditions, the roots cannot develop and absorb water from the soil mixture. Consequently, the plant will suffer from the so-called “wet feet” effect. As a result, the roots will rot, and over time, the above-ground part of the plant will be affected. The second mistake: plant the cactus in an oversized container. Most plants are grown and then sold in technical pots – containers with brown or black color. In most cases, the pot is selected for transplantation based on design features. or from what is available on the market. The size of the pot is usually chosen by such amateurs. They say, “The most important thing is to get roots in the pot.” As a result, you look at the so-called comp. and you see a large pot of soil and a small plant lost in it. The pot with the right size is the same as the plant in which the plant grows, or 10-15% more volume than the previous one. Follow the rule: consequently we should enjoy the beauty of the plant and not a pot with the soil mixture. The following error: use incorrect soil mixtures for planting a cactus ‘soil mixture under the tree, based on peat’, and so on. All soil mixtures must be sterilized before a cactus is planted in them, very few people do this in practice. Even a peat mixture, which theoretically may contain no pests and diseases, has both. A probability that something is harmful to the plant exists everywhere, for example in grassland, sand, mineral curbs, moss, and so on. If the mixture has a strong acid deviation from the recommended, the plant begins to suffer immediately after being planted in such a mixture. Properly made mixture is a guarantee of good development of cacti for several years without transplanting. The mixture we offer contains all the properties needed for cacti. It is sterilized and contains many nutrients. It does not require additional drainage. You can learn more about making it in our video. The link is in the description below. The next mistake: to water a cactus whenever you want. Many amateurs think that regular watering is the main rule for caring for the plant. As a result, such plants often die after a few weeks. Many succulents should be watered at most once a month. The frequency of water varies depending on the season of the year. When buying a plant, it is better to learn its specific characteristics. Even if you do not know what family or relatives it is no, you can post the photo to a suitable group on a social network, and you will get advice on what the plant is called and how to water it. And the final mistake is: “The more light and higher temp. – the better it is for the plant” “Cactus comes from a desert, so the sun does not frighten it.” This is a common misconception among amateurs. It’s true! Most cacti come from deserts, but under natural conditions cacti grow on the slope of the rock and hide it in the shade of the rock at the hottest time of the day. Or it can grow under thorns, for example, which also spread sunlight. In addition, the air in natural habitat is covered with clouds that reduce lighting during the day. And what are the conditions we create? We put the pot with the plant on the south window and as a result the afternoon heat together with the strongest radiation brings our cactus into a state of shock. In addition, direct sunlight heats the pot and the roots in it. The subsequent regular watering makes the situation even worse. Roots under stress conditions can not absorb water. They will rot in wet soil mixture. Almost all succulents develop vegetatively at a temperature range of + 15-30 C. All the values that exceed this range put the plant under stress.