Our maintenance tips: Cacti

In their natural environment, cacti are exposed to direct sunlight. They are therefore resistant to it, however we advise you to avoid it because direct sunlight can cause brown spots and burns on your plant. Similarly, cacti are sensitive to coolness . They should be placed in rooms above 10-15°C. Conservatories are ideal areas for these cacti because they have good exposure to light. However, they are sometimes not heated and this can damage your plants. Place your cacti in your conservatory, provided it is heated.

Do you have a bright balcony or terrace without drafts or direct sunlight? This is the ideal location for your cacti in spring and summer. As soon as temperatures warm up and rise above 10-15°C, you can bring your cacti outdoors. Be careful to bring them indoors on rainy days as these plants are sensitive to overwatering!

At By Charlot, we offer cacti in 6 different sizes , ranging from Miniature to Grandiose. This way, you can find the height that best suits your interior. It is important to note that watering cacti is rare, so it is essential not to overwater your plants. The amount and frequency of watering depends on the exposure of your cactus and the humidity level of your interior. The recommendations on the amount of water to add are therefore variable depending on the environment in which the plant is located. Since plants are living beings, their maintenance is not an exact science, it is therefore important to observe them to take the best care of them. To help you water your cacti, here are some tips based on their size:

• Miniature: add a tablespoon of water to measure the amount of water and avoid wasting any.
• Small and Standard: The amount of water equivalent to an espresso, or 5 cl of water, is sufficient for these two sizes of plants. However, you can adapt it according to the needs of your cactus.
• Large: a double espresso, or about 10 to 15 cl of water, will be enough to meet your cactus' needs.
• Very Large: Add a small glass of water, approximately 20 cl of water.
• Grandiose: add a large glass of water, about 40 cl of water.

It is important to note that these amounts are recommendations and may vary depending on the environment the plant is in.

We recommend repotting your cacti every 4 to 5 years , ideally in the spring. Since cacti have small roots, repotting is not a regular operation. To repot your cactus, we recommend that you do it with two people to make the operation easier and avoid pricking yourself.

To begin, put on gloves and remove your cactus from its current pot by gently pulling at the base of its central stem. Then, you can place your cactus in your new pot. It's important to keep your plant upright when repotting; the potting soil will keep it upright afterward.

Pruning your cactus may be necessary to control the growth of your plant or prevent the spread of disease. Before pruning your cactus, it is important to protect yourself from the plant's thorns by wearing gloves. When pruning your cactus, we recommend using a clean, disinfected knife rather than pruning shears. The blade of the knife allows for a more precise cut than pruning shears. The cut should be made at the base of a branch, that is, where two stems join. After cutting the desired stem, spray water on the cut branch to stop any sap from flowing.