The Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) is a beautiful and popular cactus native to Mexico. It is easily recognizable by its round shape and yellow spines. Although it is a relatively easy plant to care for, it still needs careful watering to ensure your Golden Barrel Cactus stays healthy and happy. A single mistake when watering this cactus can lead to problems such as root rot that could be fatal.
You should only water your Golden Barrel Cactus once a week or when the top inch of soil is completely dry. Be careful not to overwater your cactus because it can lead to root rot. During winter, reduce watering to about once every two weeks. Use filtered or distilled water for your cactus, and ensure that you are using well-draining soil. Water the succulent early in the morning so the leaves have time to dry off before nightfall.
This article discusses everything you need to know about watering your Golden Barrel Cactus. Read on!
Golden Barrel Cactus: General Water Requirements
Before you start watering your golden barrel cactus, it’s important to understand the plant’s general water requirements.
Golden barrel cactus native habitat is the arid regions of Mexico and thus has evolved to be quite a drought tolerant. In its natural habitat, the Golden Barrel Cactus will only receive rainwater a few times per year.
The key to correctly watering your Golden Barrel Cactus is to mimic its natural habitat as closely as possible. This means that you should only water your cactus when the top inch of soil is completely dry.
Once every week is usually sufficient, but you may need to water more often in hotter weather or if the plant is growing rapidly.
During the winter months, you can reduce watering to about once every two weeks. It is important not to overwater your Golden Barrel Cactus because this can lead to root rot, a common problem with this plant.
If you think your cactus is getting too much water, check the soil to see if it is soggy or if the roots are starting to rot. If so, you will need to reduce watering and ensure that the plant gets sufficient drainage.
Golden Rules of Watering a Golden Barrel Cactus
You need to be careful not to make any mistakes when watering and caring for your golden barrel cactus. Here are some specific watering tips to keep in mind.
These golden rules will help you avoid common problems with golden barrel cactus such as root rot and ensure that your cactus stays healthy and happy.
Rule #1: Use Distilled Water or Rainwater
One of the most crucial factors to consider when watering your Golden Barrel Cactus is the type of water you use. It is best to use either distilled water or rainwater. This is because tap water often contains minerals that can build up in the soil and harm your cactus.
If you don’t have access to distilled water or rainwater, use tap water but let it sit out for 24 hours before using it. This will allow some of the minerals to dissipate.
If you don’t allow the tap water to sit out for 24 hours, the minerals can build up in the soil and harm your cactus.
Rule #2: Water Early in the Morning
Another important rule to follow when watering your Golden Barrel Cactus is to do it early in the morning. This will give the water time to soak into the soil and hydrate the plant before the heat of the day sets in.
The best time to water your cactus is between 6:00am and 10:00am, so leaves have time to dry off. It also provides the succulent with enough time to absorb enough water.
If you cannot water your cactus early in the morning, do it in the evening instead. Just be sure that the leaves have time to dry off before nightfall. If they stay wet overnight, they can develop diseases or start to rot.
Rule #3: Let the Soil Dry Out Completely Between Watering Sessions
It is important to let the soil dry out completely between waterings. This will help prevent root rot, a common problem with Golden Barrel Cacti.
To check if the soil is dry, stick your finger about an inch into the pot. If it feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water your plant.
If you’re unsure whether the soil is dry, it’s better to err on the side of caution and wait another day or two before watering.
If you are not confident in your ability to manually check for soil moisture, consider purchasing a moisture meter. These devices are specifically designed to measure the water content of soil and can be a helpful tool for keeping your cactus healthy.
A typical moisture meter is calibrated to give readings in percentages. For Golden Barrel Cactus, the ideal range is between 20% and 40%.
Rule #4: Use a Pot with Plenty of Drainage Holes
Another important rule to follow when watering your Golden Barrel Cactus is to use a pot with good drainage. This succulent does not like sitting in soggy soil, so it is important to ensure that water can drain freely from the pot.
The best type of pot to use is one with several drainage holes at the bottom. If your pot has no drainage holes, you can drill some yourself or choose a different pot.
Rule #5: Use the Right Watering Method
You can use many different watering methods for your Golden Barrel Cactus. The method you choose will depend on your plant size and the pot you are using. Remember, proper watering is one of the ways to keep your Golden Barrel Cactus healthy.
It is best to water small plants in pots without drainage holes using the “drench and drain” method. To do this, fill the pot with water and let it sit for 15 minutes. This will allow the water to soak into the soil and reach the plant’s roots.
After 15 minutes, empty any remaining water from the pot. Be sure to do this, even if it means tipping the pot upside down and shaking it a bit. It is important that the pot drains completely so that the roots do not sit in water.
You can water larger plants in pots with drainage holes using the “soak and dry” method. To do this, water the plant until the water begins to drip out of the drainage holes.
Let the plant soak for 30 minutes to an hour, then empty any remaining water from the saucer or catch basin. Again, ensure the pot drains completely, so the roots do not sit in water.
Whichever watering method you choose, it is important to stick to a regular schedule. Watering your cactus once a week is usually sufficient, but check the soil moisture level before watering to avoid overwatering.
Rule #6: Avoid Getting Water on the Leaves
When watering your Golden Barrel Cactus, be careful not to get water on the leaves. This is because the leaves can easily rot if they stay wet for too long. Instead, focus on watering the soil around the base of the plant.
If you do get water on the leaves, be sure to dry them off as soon as possible. The best way to do this is to use a soft cloth or paper towel and gently pat the leaves until they are dry.
Rule #7: Water More Often During the Growing Season
During spring and summer, your Golden Barrel Cactus will be actively growing. This means that it will need more water than usual.
Generally, you should water your cactus once a week during the growing season. But as always, check the soil moisture level before watering to avoid overwatering.
This is also the right time to feed your cactus. Use a high-quality cactus fertilizer and follow the instructions on the package. Fertilizing your cactus will help it to grow strong and healthy.
Rule #8: Water Less Often During the Winter
During fall and winter, your cactus will enter a period of dormancy. This means that it will need less water than usual.
You should water your cactus once every two weeks during winter. You can even water it once per month if the weather is particularly cold.
Do not fertilize your cactus during winter because it will not be actively growing and doesn’t need extra nutrients.
Waiting to fertilize until spring helps to prevent root burn, which can happen when fertilizer is applied to dormant plants.
Summary
Watering your golden barrel cactus is one of the ways to care for your plant and ensure it grows well. No plant can survive without water, even those used to desert conditions.
Your golden barren cactus needs you to adhere to strict watering schedule so it grows well and avoid some water problems such as root rot. The above simple tips can keep your golden barrel cactus healthy and thriving for many years.
Remember to adjust the watering schedule based on the conditions in your area, and always err on the side of caution when deciding whether or not to water your plant.
With a little bit of care, your golden barrel cactus will be a beautiful addition to your home or garden for many years to come.
Last update on 2022-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
