| How to Grow Cactus Indoors Posted: 14 Nov 2017 04:00 PM PST Cacti are typically desert-dwelling plants that thrive in dry and hot conditions, but these plants also make excellent indoor houseplants. Cacti are quite low-maintenance, making them an ideal plant for new gardeners and a great housewarming gift. The secrets to growing healthy cacti indoors include providing them with plenty of sunlight, not overwatering, and using the right soil. EditPropagating New Plants - Take a cutting from a healthy cactus. You can grow new cacti from a pup that shoots off of a healthy mother plant. Choose a pup that's plump, unblemished, and healthy. Gently cut or break off an entire pup from the plant.[1]
- You can also buy cacti at local nurseries, home stores, and garden centers.
- Let the wound heal. Transfer the cutting to a sunny windowsill. Lay the cutting down flat and leave it for about two days. This will give the wound time to form a callous. If you don't let the wound heal before planting, the cutting will likely rot.[2]
- Select a pot for the cactus. The most important thing to remember when choosing a pot for a cactus is drainage. Find a pot with drainage holes in the bottom that will allow excess water to drain out. Cacti also do well in smaller pots, so choose a pot that's about twice the size of the plant.
- You can use clay or plastic pots for cacti. Plastic pots are lighter and cheaper, but heavier clay pots are better for large or top-heavy plants.[3]
- Fill the pot with a cactus-specific potting soil. Cacti need soil that drains very quickly, so choose a medium that's specific for these types of plants. For even better drainage, mix two parts of the cactus potting soil with one part lava rock pebbles or pearlite.
- Cacti that sit in wet soil are prone to fungal and bacterial growth.[4]
- Plant the cutting in the soil. Place the stem or leaf cutting callous-down in the potting soil. Push the cutting in just deep enough so that it will stand up on its own. Use your hands to gently firm the soil around the cutting to stabilize it.[5]
- Mist the soil. Moisten the soil to provide the cactus with extra water, but don't soak the soil. Until roots and new growth start to form, only mist the cutting lightly when the soil feels dry. Otherwise, the cutting may rot.[6]
- Keep the cutting in a bright location. Transfer the cutting to a windowsill or other area that gets lots of bright but indirect sunlight. Too much direct sun can damage a new cutting. Leave the cutting in this location for a month or two, until new growth starts to appear.[7]
EditCaring for Cacti - Choose a sunny location. Once established, most species of cacti need several hours of direct sunlight every day. A south- or east-facing window will be ideal for most cacti. However, if the cactus starts to look yellowed, bleached, or orangey, it is likely getting too much light, and you should move it to a west-facing window.[8]
- Kitchen and bathroom windows are great for cacti, because they can pull additional moisture from the air as needed.[9]
- Water the cactus weekly during growing season. Overwatering can kill a cactus, but the plant will need weekly waterings during active growing periods. Growth phases are typically between spring and fall. When the soil feels dry to the touch, water the plant until the soil is thoroughly damp.[10]
- Don't water if the soil is still moist, as this will cause rot and kill the plant.[11]
- Fertilize the plant weekly during the growing season. Cacti will also benefit from regular feedings during the spring, summer, and fall months. When you go to water the cactus each week, stir in a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer before watering. Dilute the fertilizer to a quarter of the strength as recommended by the label.[12]
- Provide plenty of circulation. Cacti don't necessarily like drafts or stiff breezes, but they will thrive in areas where there's plenty of fresh air.[13] You can improve the circulation in your home by running ceiling fans, opening vents, and opening windows during warmer weather.
- Rotate the pot monthly. Like many plants, a cactus will grow toward the light, and this can cause uneven or distorted growth. Encourage balanced growth by providing the cactus with even light, and rotate the pot a quarter turn every month.[14]
- Repot the cactus annually. Pick a well-draining pot that's one size larger than the current pot. 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.
- For the first two weeks after transplanting, don't water the cactus, and keep it in a bright location that's protected from direct sunlight.[15]
- Encourage the cactus to enter dormancy in winter. Fall and winter are typically dormant months for cacti. Dormancy is necessary for most plants to recoup their energy, and the rest period will encourage flower growth later on. You can help the plant enter dormancy by:[16]
- Cutting back watering to once a month
- Stopping the regular feedings
- Moving the cactus to a cooler window (ideally between
EditTroubleshooting Common Problems - Move the cactus to a darker location if it's getting bleached. Some cactus varieties do better with indirect sunlight. If your cactus is turning white, yellowing, or spots are turning orange, it likely means the plant is getting too much sun. Move the cactus to a window that gets less direct sun.[17]
- Move the plant to a brighter location if it's reaching or thinning. A cactus that isn't getting enough light may start to grow toward the light, causing distorted or unbalanced growth. Another symptom is a thinning top. Move the cactus to a window that gets more direct sunlight.[18]
- To prevent scorching, move a cactus to a brighter location gradually, by moving it closer to the light over a period of a few days.
- Address common cactus pests. There are a few insects that can be problematic when you're growing cacti, including mealy bugs, scale, and spider mites. To get rid of these pests, rinse or mist the cactus with water to wash away the pests. Insecticides are not often useful at treating these problems.[19]
- Mealy bugs can be identified by the fuzzy patches they create on the plants, scale looks like raised brown spots, and spider mites will create whitish webs.
- Wear gloves when handling cacti to protect yourself from the prickles.
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| How to Fold Up a Pop Up Tent Posted: 14 Nov 2017 08:00 AM PST Many people use pop up tents as quick, easy shelters but find folding up the tent to be an unexpected hassle. Storing the tent involves folding the poles together and then over each other. This collapses the tent into a circle that you can seal in a bag until you need it again. With a little knowledge of folding techniques, you can pack away your tent until the next time you need it. EditFolding Large Tents - Clean the tent before you begin folding. Most of the time, all you'll need to do is shake out dirt, sand, and pine needles. While you can attempt this later, the debris can get stuck in the tent folds. Tip the tent to pour out the debris. Wipe down the tent with a little bit of powdered laundry detergent and a moist rag when you have time.[1]
- Never pack away a damp tent, or else you'll end up with mold!
- Fold the top two poles together. Stand beside the tent. The poles are the ridges on top of the tent to your left and right. Stretch out to grasp both sides and pull them together.[2]
- Fold the bottom two poles together. The bottom poles form the outer edges of the tent, which now stick out to your left and right. You'll need to reach both of them. Fold one of the bottom poles up and over to the top poles. Do the same with the other bottom pole so you're holding all four poles together.[3]
- Leave the tent's door open to let out the air.
- Stand the tent up on its side. The folded tent resembles a big taco. Continue holding onto the four poles as you flip the tent onto its side. Move it so the open side of the taco shape rests against the ground.
- Fold the top poles to your back hand. You'll need to stretch out your hands again. As you hold the four poles together, reach out over the uppermost part of the tent. Grab the back of the taco shape and bring it down to your other hand. Wrestle the tent to the ground to flatten it.[4]
- The poles are lightweight, so you won't need more than a minimal amount of force to bring down the tent. The poles are also flexible, so they're unlikely to break.
- Slide the tent halves together. If you folded the tent correctly, it'll look like two side-by-side circles of fabric. Bring one over the other to make your tent easy to pack.
- Press and seal the tent in a bag. Pop ups are designed to spring back into the shape of a tent, so maintain a firm grip on the poles. You can press down on it with your hands and knees to remove any leftover air preventing it from laying flat. Then, slip the tent into its bag to pack it away for your next trip.
EditFolding a Beach Tent - Shake out debris before folding the tent. Clean out the tent before you put it away. Tip it over and shake loose any trapped dirt or sand. You can then clean the tent with a little water and a hose or rag. If you don't have time to tackle tough stains now, you can pack away the tent and do it at home.
- A little bit of a powdered detergent helps when scrubbing off tough stains.
- Grab the sides of the tent. Stand facing the entrance of the tent. The closest tent pole is the one that goes from side to side over the entrance. Reach out and grab both sides of the tent. Leave the door open if it has a cover on it.[5]
- Beach tents are typically smaller than regular tents and don't have poles running across the tent's width. You can also try this if you're still having trouble folding any other tent.
- Fold the sides of the tent together. Pull one side of the tent towards the center, then push it flat against the ground. As you hold it down, bring the other side over on top of it. It should now be in an oval shape.[6]
- Turn the tent on its side and press it flat. Flip the tent over so it's on its edge. Push down on the center of this edge. The tent change into a figure-8 shape as you flatten it. You can put one hand on the side of the tent to help guide it to the ground.[7]
- Fold the tent over on itself. Hold onto the tent! It'll spring into shape if you let go. Pick up one side of the tent, then bring it over onto the other side. This collapses the tent into a circle. You can rest a knee on the tent as you do this to ensure you don't lose your grip.[8]
- The poles are very flexible, so don't worry about them breaking.
- Pack up the tent. If the tent came with an elastic band, wrap that around it to hold it in place. Put the tent in its bag. Tuck in any poles sticking out, then zip up the bag until you're ready to use the tent again.
- Every tent folds a little differently. Consult the instructions that came with the tent for more folding guidance
- If you don't have the instructions that came with the tent, search online for folding videos. All pop up tents use similar basic folds, so you can manage to fold up any tent with a little experimentation.
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| How to Find Your Car in a Crowded Parking Lot Posted: 14 Nov 2017 12:00 AM PST You step out of the grocery store or work building and realize you have no idea where your car is parked. For many people, this is a recurring problem, and in large, crowded parking lots it can be difficult to remember exactly where your car is waiting for you. Locating your car doesn't need to be a stressful task, and there are many helpful strategies for making sure you don't forget where you parked. EditLocating Your Car in the Moment - Press your car's panic button. If you have a remote key fob that sets off your alarm or horn, try pressing it to locate the sound of your car alarm. Be prepared to turn your alarm off again promptly, and don't do this in the middle of the night if there are residences close by where people might be disturbed.[1]
- Remember that if you're not within range, your alarm won't be set off.
- Search for your car up and down the rows of parked vehicles. While this is not the fastest tactic, walking up and down each row of the parking lot is a guaranteed way of finding your car. Start at one edge of the area where you think it might be and be systematic about it - you don't want to walk aimlessly in circles.
- This strategy works best in smaller parking lots; searching through huge parking lots, or even parking decks, can take a long time if you have no idea where to start.
- Use a phone to call someone for help. If you truly have no idea where your car is parked and think you need assistance, many parking lots have signs posted with a number to call for help. Just dial the number on the sign and someone will be able to use technology (usually using your license plate number) to help you locate your car.
- This is most often the case in airport parking lots or other large lots where it can be easy to forget where you've parked.[2]
EditParking in an Identifiable Spot - Park your car near an identifying landmark. If you have a choice of where to park, choose a spot near something distinctive. If you park near a vibrant sign, large tree, or tall lamppost, you'll be much more likely to remember where you've parked when you return. The landmark that you pick should be seen from far away so that you'll notice it as soon as you begin looking for your car.[3]
- Places such as theme parks or superstores often already have landmarks (signs, pillars, lights, etc.) with numbers, letters, or pictures on them in the parking lot to help you remember where you've parked.
- Many parking structures mark floors, rows, and spaces. If you have cues like these, note them, especially if you will be spending a long time inside.
- Park away from crowds of other cars. While it's always nice to have a parking spot close to the building's doors, parking away from the rest of the cars will allow you to find your car much more easily. By parking near the opposite edges of the lot, along the side of the building, or in a space where other cars aren't surrounding you, you'll prevent other cars from obscuring your view as you look for your vehicle.[4]
- Park your car near the exit. Parking near exit signs is a great way to remember where your car is located - all you have to do is look for the exit. While it's a longer walk to the building, it's often less crowded and makes your car more noticeable when trying to find it. Plus, parking next to the exit will make leaving the lot much quicker.[5]
EditRemembering Where You Parked - Take a photo or video of where you parked. Using your cellphone's camera to take a picture or video of where you parked is an easy and efficient way of remembering where your car is located. It's an instant reminder, and you can delete the photo or video when it's no longer needed. Just make sure to include identifying landmarks next to your car in the picture as well, especially if you are in an unfamiliar place.[6]
- Use an app to pin and record your car's location. Almost all cellphones these days have tracking devices on them that allow you to pinpoint your exact location. There are many different apps, such as Google Maps or QuickPark, that will let you use your phone to locate your parked car. Simply open the app once you've arrived, drop a pin so that the phone's GPS can record your location, and you'll be able to rely on the pin to lead you back to your car.[7]
- Write down notes reminding you of where you parked. If you have a scrap piece of paper and a pen with you, jot down notes to remind yourself where you've parked. Writing down the landmarks surrounding your car will ensure that you don't forget where it is.
- If you don't have a piece of paper, texting yourself the information is also helpful.
- Take a moment to write down your license plate number (if you don't already have it memorized), just in case.
- Tell yourself where you've parked out loud. Verbally reminding yourself where your car is can help your brain remember where you've parked. Putting it into words will remind you and any passengers to be conscious of your location.[8]
- Saying something like, "I am now parking halfway down the row directly under the sign for the beauty parlor" will make you more likely to remember where you've parked.
- Making up a story or jingle about where you've parked is also a great way to boost your brain's chances of remembering the spot.
- Park in the same spot or general area each time. If you park somewhere routinely, such as your office or your favorite supermarket, choose a usual spot and make a habit of parking nearby.
- Run your errands when it's less busy. The shopping mall will be busy during the weekend, as will the bank on payday. If you can go at off hours, you can often park closer and leave yourself with fewer places to have to check.
- When you go into a store, note which department or door you came in through (furniture department, shoe department, east entrance, etc). Extra attention to detail will allow you to exit the correct side of the building.
- Adding identifying features to your car, such as a flag, ribbon, or bumper sticker, can help you identify your car faster. Even interior features such as seat covers or a stuffed animal in the back window will allow you to pick your car out of a crowd more efficiently.[9]
- Try to park someplace where you feel safe, especially at night. Alone at night is not the best time to hike to the far corners of the lot. Instead, park near the building and in a well-lit location.
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