Question
QUESTION: Hi Joan,
I read some of ur previous answers to people and i'm really impressed by your knowledge on cactii. You would be the perfect person I can get my answer from. I am in need!! I am a new cactus owner. I have noo idea how to care for them. I bought two small pots of mixed cactii from a gift shop. The pots are about the size of a cereal bowl and have about 4 different species of cactii planted in them, they're very squished together. The store owner told me to put only 2 teaspoons of water once a month. Do you think thats the appropriate amount? I have no idea how much to put. Also, i cant see the soil because they have placed a 1/4 inch layer of white rocks glued together for the fancy appearance and that prevents me from telling if the soil is dry or not. and the pot is also made out of clay so i cant see the soil at all. How do i know how much water to put? :/  and can you tell me about some general care needs you would recommend for indoor cactii? i keep mine indoors in my room.
 My second question is regarding my 1 gallon cactii pot (which is about 2 months old) thats turning black. First off, heres a link to the photo i just took of it now to show you its current condition: http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/CutePaki916/1galloncactiipot.jpg?t=1231640
Please take a look at the pic because i think you can better judge the situation after you see it rather than by me just describe using only words. I bought this one from a garden shop. This also had the same decorative layer of rocks on the top that prevents people from viewing the condition of the soil. This pot had 6 cactii in it. I noticed that one by one the cactii kept turning all black and wrinkly.. I think they're dying. I only have 1 left.. This one looks very "leafy" it has no thorns its very smooth and just looks like a flower with giant smooth leaves. Well now one of its leaves is all black and the rest are still green. I think its dying too! I dont know whats going on.. Do you know what it means if they start turning black?
  I may have over-watered this one. i usually put a glass of water in this gallon pot every 2-3 weeks. But i dont know if the leaves turning black is due to this or maybe its a cactii disease?
Please let me know soon. I just hope i can save this one.. and i want the two new pots i just bought to survive so hopefully whatever mistake i made wont happen again. I really dont want any more to die.

thanks..

ANSWER: Hello,
These plants don't appear to be cacti at all! These are succulents, which are plants that tolerate drought conditions because of their stored water. First of all, remove all the dead stuff from the pot including roots. You should only water 2 days after drought, only about 5 teaspoons (not 2). You mentioned there was a layer of white rock. If you can't tell whether the soil is dried, moist, or wet, then I suggest you make a small hole somewhere or remove it all. Note, the plants won't be affected because of this layer of rock. Place the pot in the most longest brightest window in your house.

Since I gave you information that you did not have in mind, please ask me anything I might have missed or additional questions you might have.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again.. im thankful that u told me theyre succulents, i wouldve never known.. the store i bought them from had them labeled as Cactii! lol.

I have some last questions to ask u.. here are new photos i would like to share with you as the Qs correspond to them.. these pics aer mainly of my 2 baby cactii bowls i bought from a giftshop 2 wks ago.. i havent watered them at all yet bc im scared they'd die..(hopefully these ones are cactii)

Q1) could you plz let me know what species they are if you know and whether any of these guys require any special care than others..
Q2) and how much water do u suggest i pour for these guys' bowls.. is 5 teaspoons ok?

(these first 2 pics are of the same bowl just different closeups)
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/CutePaki916/smallgiftshopcactii.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/CutePaki916/smallgiftshopcactii1.jpg

(heres the 2nd bowl pic link below...
Q3) the one in the back has brown fuzz instead of thorns so is that still a cactus or something else..?)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/CutePaki916/smallgiftshopcactii2.jpg

(below is a photo of the window where i keep them by.. they have no direct light.. )
Q4) is that light sufficient enough or do you suggest i move them to my kitchen where i have bright incandescent lighting?

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/CutePaki916/mywindow.jpg
Q4) in ur last responde, you forgot to mention whether the black coloration on the dead plant leaves is normal or due to a disease? I noticed that everytime i used to water them i would pour the water over them instead of around.. i thought maybe thats why the leaves might've rotted or something?

and for my baby pots can i pour the water amount you suggest over the rock layer.. im assuming the water will probably pour through.. but i dont know if i should still make a small opening just incase.. its just that i love the rock layer.. looks very decorative :)

Well these are my main Qs i have.. i feel guilty bc i know ur a busy lady and you probably get tons of emails on this site so im sorry i dont mean to take too much of your time away but i truly sppeciate ur help u have no idea! :)

Answer
Hello again!
The pictures you linked to me are definitely cacti.

Q#1: No, these are cultivated house cacti, which all pretty much need the same basic needs.

Q#2: You should water each of them as much as the soil top can trap before sinking. This is usually 1/5 of a cup. Don't worry of overwatering, as long as you let the soil dry to drought for atleast two days.

Q#3: Yes, all these are cultivated house cacti.

Q#4: The lighting seems too low. Infact, a bright incandescent light would be best for cultivated house cacti. But the really best lighting is direct sunlight, which is not reasonable to most people and the climate they live in.

Q#5: Succulents and cacti usually rot because of overwatering. The black coloration is rotted parts. Watering on top doesn't affect them in anyway. For the remaining plants in it, be careful not to overwater! Try to find a way to check when the soil gets dry. Maybe placing your pinky finger into the soil 1 inch below where there are no decorative rocks would be the best way. That being said, regarding the decorative rock, if you plan to water over the decorative rock, be sure to water as close to the roots as possible.



If you have more questions, please don't bother to ask :)