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Drip Irrigation on Young Cacti: Too Frequent Causes Salt Buildup

Current Schedule: Harmful

"Very light drip a couple times a week" on saguaro, fence post, barrel cactus = salt accumulation in root zone. Frequent shallow watering evaporates, leaving salts that burn roots.

Correct Watering

First year: Deep soak once/month in hottest months (June–Sept).
After establishment: Rainfall only – no supplemental water.
Method: Hose at base 30+ minutes, or basin flood.

Why Deep & Infrequent?

Mimics desert storms: water penetrates deep, salts leach past root zone, roots chase moisture downward.

Plant ID Offer

Email photo to gregandkat@msn.com for identification.

Turn off the drip; let the desert plants be desert plants.

Cactus: Rescuing a Stress-Damaged Columnar Cactus After Relocation; Follow-Up Care for a Toppled Columnar Cactus: Stabilization and Recovery; Identifying a Mystery Columnar Cactus; Re-rooting a Sunburned, Top-Heavy Mexican Fencepost Cactus; Fixing Severe Etiolation on a Tall Indoor Cactus ("Cactus Jack"); Frost Protection for Mexican Fence Post Cactus: Styrofoam Cup Protocol; Mexican Fence Post Beetle Damage: Bud Propagation Rescue; Trimming 8-10 ft Cacti Growing Through Patio Screen: Need ID First; Cutting Back Overgrown Mexican Fencepost Cactus Indoors; Propagating Mammillaria Cactus Offsets

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