What Is a Cactus Dish Garden?

Cactus dish gardens are wonderful indoor gardens featuring a cactus or a group of cacti grown in a shallow, decorative container. The term "dish garden" came from this shallow container that looks more like a dish than a flower pot. Larger containers or dish gardens will normally have as many as five species of cacti in them, since they all have the same water, soil and light requirements. Cactus is frequently grown in dish gardens because when it is small, it doesn't have the deep roots that require a pot. Cactus dish gardens are great for apartment dwellers and those that don't have the space for larger plants, or for folks that frequently forget to water their plants, since they don't require much water. They make great housewarming gifts too.

The Dish

You can normally find containers for dish gardens wherever you purchase the cactus plants, and almost all plant nurseries have them. They come in plastic, glazed ceramic and clay. The ceramic and clay dishes are heavier than the plastic, hold moisture better and usually look nicer. They come in a variety of diameters but are not more than 2 or 3 inches in depth. The more cacti you are going to grow, the larger the container should be; however, cacti don't mind being slightly crowded.

Soil

You can purchase a potting soil mix made especially for cacti and succulents. These plants need a very well-draining soil because if they sit in water or too much moisture, they will get root rot. If you live in an area where you can't find the commercial soil for cacti, then mix 1 part potting soil with 1 part coarse builder's sand. This will create a more natural soil for your plants.

Planting

Cover the drain holes in the container with a piece of screen or cheesecloth so the soil does not escape out the bottom. Then fill the container about three-fourths full with soil, leaving room for a decorative finish on the top. Use your finger to make a small hole for the root ball of the cactus and place the root ball in the hole. You may need to use tongs if you are planting thorny cacti or gloves for some other sticky ones. The top of the root ball can show just a bit as you will cover it later with some sand or stones. Gently push the soil around the roots and plant the next root ball if you are planting more than one cactus plant. When they are all planted, tap the container on a hard surface to settle the soil around the roots.

Decorating the Surface

Surface decorating makes the plant look nice but serves as another source of drainage for your cactus. You can use pebbles, sand, gravel or even larger stones. There are small ceramic animals or other decorations like shells or black lava rock that you can purchase to give it a special look. Cover the top of the root ball with the decorative top layer of sand or gravel. This way the water will drain away from the bottom of the visible part of the plant right through the sand or gravel to the roots. Keeping the cactus from sitting in wet soil will help prevent rot and disease.

Taking Care of Your Dish Garden

Once your dish garden is finished, place it in a sunny area. The more sun the better. Do not water it for a week while it adjusts to its new home. If the cacti are not getting enough light, you will notice they will start to lean toward the closest light source. Cacti also like to be warm. In the winter you can keep them in an area that goes as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but keep them away from drafts or cold windows. In the summer, the cacti will benefit from some fresh air. You can either take them outside for a while or place them in an open window.
The quickest way to kill a cactus is to overwater it. In the summer, these plants should be watered and then allowed to dry out before watering again. Start cutting back water in the late summer and by the middle of the fall, only water a small amount about once a month.
The cacti may grow to the point that they don't fit in the dish garden anymore. They can easily be transplanted to another pot and replaced in the dish garden. Don't be in a hurry to transplant though, because they will flower faster if they are slightly root-bound, meaning the roots are taking up most of the space in the soil.

References

• The Cactus Dish Garden
• Creating a Cactus Dish Garden