You humans are so fond of schedules, but my watering needs are not a weekly appointment. My thick, succulent leaves are my personal water reservoirs. I use this stored water very slowly. The frequency with which I need a drink from you depends entirely on the conditions I live in. The key factors are the amount of light and warmth I receive, the season, and the soil and pot I call home. A rigid schedule is the fastest way to make my roots sick.
The single most important concept for my health is the "soak and dry" method. This is how rain works in my native, arid environment. When you water me, you must do so thoroughly. Pour water evenly over my soil until it runs freely out of the drainage hole at the bottom of my pot. This ensures that all of my roots have access to moisture. Then, you must wait. Do not water me again until my soil is almost completely dry from top to bottom.
You cannot tell if I am thirsty by looking at my leaves alone. You must check my soil. The best and simplest method is the "finger test." Insert your finger about two inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it is time to water me. If you feel any moisture or coolness, wait a few more days and check again. For a more precise measurement, you could use a wooden chopstick or a moisture meter. In the warmer, brighter growing season (spring and summer), this drying-out process may take 1-2 weeks. In the cooler, dimmer dormant season (fall and winter), it may take 3-4 weeks or even longer.
My growth cycle dramatically changes my thirst. During spring and summer, I am actively growing new stems and leaves. With more sunlight and warmer temperatures, I photosynthesize faster and use my water reserves more quickly. This is when I will need more frequent watering. As autumn arrives and daylight shortens, my growth slows. In winter, I enter a near-dormant state. My water usage drops to a minimum. During this time, overwatering is an extreme danger, as my roots will sit in cold, wet soil and quickly rot. You must extend the time between waterings significantly.
My pot and soil are part of my body. I demand a pot with an excellent drainage hole. I absolutely cannot live in a pot that traps water. My soil must be a very well-draining mix, specifically designed for cacti and succulents. These mixes contain materials like perlite, pumice, or coarse sand that create air pockets and allow water to flow through rapidly, preventing it from pooling around my roots. A pot that is too large will hold wet soil for far too long, which is very dangerous for me.
