Handling The Cactus ... Avoid Injury From Cactus Spines

Injuries from Cactus spines are more often than not, very painful. The spines are non-toxic, but if a Cactus spine penetrates your skin it might inflict some dirt into it and this can cause infection. If you are in doubt about anything I would consult a doctor straight away. The following is a few points on how to avoid injury:

• Stand the Cactus in a way that direct contact with them is near impossible from the start.
• Make sure they are well out of reach of pets and children.
• Avoid keeping the Cactus Opuntia if you have children or pets, their spines are tiny, but highly painful, and are hard to remove.
• Never try an eat any type of Cacti.

Initial Care For The Cactus

Once you have purchased your Cactus and brought the Succulent home, make sure to provide them, as far as possible, with the conditions they are used to. You should have no transition problems with them. Bright, but not forceful, sunlight: Cacti under glass can only tolerate sunlight if they have had time to acclimatize to it. Temperatures can be so hot under glass that the epidermis might burn. The first indications of this are soft, pale green, discoloured spots on the side of the plant that is facing the sun, these later turn brown.

If a Cactus is placed under direct sunlight you should provide some shade for the Succulent to get used to the conditions.

• In Winter... Keep the Cacti cool and do not water them at all. You will wish to make sure the Cactus doesn't start to grow. Do not stand it in a place that is too warm. Begin watering again carefully in the Spring.
• In Summer... Water your Cactus whenever it is necessary, and if the new Cactus has just began to shoot or flower, treat it with extreme care.