The Bishop’s Cap Cactus needs surprisingly little maintenance. Soil should be a specific mix made for cacti – usually potting soil combined with sand. Direct sunlight should be avoided – it will do well in a bright room in indirect light. Watering should be light, and you should aim to keep the soil dry. 5 5. Caring for cactus outdoors in winter. 1. The right location. Most cacti are used to full sun and a lot of heat. If you give them a spot in full sun, they will grow best. So preferably place your cactus in an area with as much direct sunlight as possible, for a beautiful, healthy cactus. Plant your cutting very shallowly, about 1/8-inch deep. It may fall over, so you might want to add some kind of support for it until it grows roots. Place the container in a sunny window and keep the soil moist. Roots should start to grow in about 2 to 3 weeks. Place your succulent houseplants on a sunny windowsill to ensure they receive as much light as possible during the shorter days. Temperature: Succulents generally prefer temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C). During the winter months, try to maintain a consistent temperature for your plants. A collection of opuntia microdasys cactii. They usually require only occasional watering. Many growers prefer to use a tray under their pot to allow the soil to drain out properly and throw away any excess water. During the autumn and winter, you should water your Bunny Ears cactus only once every three to four weeks. If so, here are a few tips to help you out! 1. Water your cactus regularly. During the winter, cacti need less water than they do in the summer. However, they still need to be watered every week or two. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. 2. Place your cactus in a bright spot. Let the segment of your Thanksgiving cactus dry on a paper towel for two or three days to prevent root rot. Then plant it about a quarter- or half-inch deep into a small pot of potting soil. You can also dip the pinched-off end in rooting powder to give it an extra boost in setting roots. Water when the soil dries out. Use a water soluble fertilizer with a ratio of 20-20-20. Fertilize in early winter and spring, and stop when bud production starts in late summer and fall. While Thanksgiving cactus like to be root bound, you do need to replace the soil every few years as the nutrients are consumed by the plant. And finally, the plant requires a cool location where the temperature is between 50 and 55°F. A chilly coat closet for nighttime and a north-facing window sill during the day work just fine. Consistently cool temperatures, the appropriate amount of darkness, minimal water, and no supplemental nutrition trigger dormancy, the key ingredient in Fill the pot with cactus potting mix. Pick up your cactus, place your hand around the base of the plant, and turn the pot over to remove the cactus. Gently tap the roots to remove old soil, and prune off any dead or dried roots. Place the cactus in the new pot and firm the soil around the base with your hands. E5bvJ.