This is a progression of my cactus blooming which is amazing, it's so beautiful! But as you can see in the second to last pic, the leaves are quite droopy and shrivelled. I had watered it before that second to last pic was taken, and you can see in my last pic that the soil is still wet. I don't want to water it again and risk root rot. What should I do? Just wait for it to dry out again before watering? Should I pinch off the flowers once they start shrivelling up as well? I don't want this plant to die because I grew it from one single leaf! Thanks!
It sits on a South facing window, direct light. It's been doing really well because it was slowly acclimated to the light since it was planted
by MindlessHat3773
1 Comment
It’s too deep in rhe pot, the soil is too dense, and south facing is generally a bit much for a epiphyte like this, they’re tropical understory plants so used to brightbut dappled light.
I’d get it higher in the pot (right up the top!) And you want a good free draining soil mix. Epiphytes can take a bit of orchid bark as well as the usual soils and grit. They aren’t the same as arid cacti and although it’s good to let them dry out between watering, there’s no need for them to sit dry.
I’d also recommend a drip tray over a ceramic over pot. A nice deep one allows you to liberally water until the water pours out the bottom without risking the plant sitting in deep water unnoticed and rotting. With an epiphyte it’s fine for the tray to have water in it for several days, at which point it’s usually drank it or evaporated