To understand its watering needs, we must first look at where we come from. We are epiphytes, meaning we naturally grow on trees in the dappled light of tropical and subtropical forests, not in the ground. Our roots are adapted to cling to bark and absorb moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and decaying organic matter around us. This environment provides consistent but never excessive moisture. Our roots are fine and delicate, designed for quick absorption and, crucially, for drying out. They are highly susceptible to rot if left sitting in saturated, oxygen-deprived soil for prolonged periods. Therefore, your watering regimen must mimic this cycle of a hearty drink followed by a period of aeration for our root system.
The most critical principle for our health is the "soak and dry" method. This does not mean a light sprinkle. When you water, you must provide a thorough, deep soaking until water flows freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of our pot. This ensures our entire root ball has access to moisture. Then, you must allow the potting mix to dry out significantly, though not necessarily completely bone-dry, before watering again. You can check this by sticking your finger about two inches into the soil; if it feels dry, it is time to water. For a more accurate measure, a wooden skewer inserted into the mix can be pulled out—if it comes out clean and dry, we are ready for a drink.
Our water needs are not constant throughout the year; they change dramatically with our growth cycle and the seasons. During our active growing season in the spring and summer, we are putting energy into producing new segments (cladodes) and, most importantly, our spectacular blooms. This period of vigorous growth requires more frequent watering. You may find you need to water us once a week, depending on the temperature and humidity in your home. Conversely, in the late fall and winter, we enter a period of dormancy. Our growth slows or stops entirely to conserve energy. During this rest period, you must drastically reduce watering. Let our potting mix dry out almost completely between waterings, potentially only providing a minimal drink every 4 to 6 weeks to prevent our stems from shriveling.
Several factors in your indoor environment directly impact how quickly we use water, making a fixed weekly schedule impractical. Light is a primary driver; we placed in a brighter location will photosynthesize more and use water faster than those in lower light. Temperature also plays a key role; warmer conditions cause faster evaporation from the soil and transpiration from our stems. Finally, humidity is crucial. Low-humidity environments (common in heated or air-conditioned homes) will dry out our potting mix and our fleshy stems more quickly, potentially requiring more frequent watering. A pot that is too large for our root system will also hold moisture for too long, increasing the risk of root rot.
