Pls. do some more reading BEFORE you get more cacti. You've gotten some bad info. Pots you mention are too large, we don't use gravel at the bottom (it doesn't help) nor palm mix (that's for tropicals).

Wherever you read to water a cactus by submerging it in water, the author apparently doesn't grow cactus as no one who knows what they're doing would do that.

Sorry, but it appears you've gotten some rather bad information. Pls. read around here further BEFORE buying more cacti.

Welcome to our forum. Since you are using PhotoBucket to upload pictures, it is much easier to view you upload if you will select the 3rd item HTML) listed under the picture and click it. Then come back to your posting and right click the "message" area and insert the link. Then you your picture will show up and not a typed link.

Welcome to the Forum!

Has pirate girl pointed out please do some more reading, and ask questions. The members on this forum are very helpful to newbies. If I were you I would re-pot those cacti. They might go through a little shock but will be better off in the long run.

As far as soil goes, it is like asking about politics most of the time. If you ask 50 different people you will get 50 different answers. With that said most agree that any purchased "cactus soil" still needs the addition of some kind of grit. Most also agree that there needs to be at least 50% grit. Or a 1:1 ratio. For more information on soils try a search on this forum for "Al's Gritty Mix". If you choose the gritty mix please understand you will need to feed your plants regularly, which can be tricky for someone new.

As far as watering, since you are new to cactus/succulents I would recomend that you get a soil moisture meter. You can get them at several big box stores or ebay for under 20 bucks. There are other methods but for newbies this seems to be the easiest. If you get one you DO NOT water until it registers "dry". Also since the before mentioned "Al's Gritty Mix" is soil-less it will not work, but with such a mix it is almost impossible to overwater.

As far as light they will most likely need more.

Also as Doc (Howard) mentioned learn how to post a picture. It makes it easier to get responses to your questions.

Most of all learn what plants you have and research them. What I have said here is very general and each plant as it's own requirements, some more light some less, and the same for water.

Hope this helps,
Glenn

Thanks for the replys

i've been reading alot of stuff on this forum for the last couple of days and now im confused and not sure what to do

i read about al's gritty mix and i want to use it but don't think i'll be able to buy the stuff i need for it right now.

is there a different mix i can use that is easier to make and still works good?

You can use a Cactus soil mix but add some kind of grit to it. The grit can be several different things. Some examples are Chicken Grit (you can get this at most feed stores. Runs about 8 bucks for a 50 pound bag), Pumic is another good grit and is lighter then the granite, perilite can also be used and is even lighter. I have also seen pea gravel at the big box stores pretty cheap. The main objective is to increase drainage. You will want to mix it with the soil in at least a 50/50 ratio. If you go this route you can use a moisture meter as I said in the other post that way you can get use to how much water to water. I think you will be suprised at how long it takes to get the meter to the dry zone. I included a link so you know what I am talking about (see below).

I also did not mention before when you move them to more light, do it slowly or they could burn if moved to fast.

looks like you are heading in the right direction.
Glenn

Here is a link that might be useful: Moisture Meter

Dear CM,

We don't mean to make it complicated & while we may differ in how to do it, we ALL agree about the need for our mix to be fast draining. I agree w/ Jeepman, if all you can find is Cactus & Succulent (C&S) mix & Perlite, that could be fine mixed about 50/50. I've used this myself until I'd got a pumice source.

by submerging the pot in water .....is that the correct way to water them?

In nature for cacti this is commonly what happens when it rains for a few hours the rain drains into basins and the cati does becomes oddly watered by runoff. A common adaption of how cati can survive/grow in harsh barron conditions. There are times when some do water and flush cati pots BUT as said the soil-less soil is very gritty, course and also free draining.

Anyone of the pots you used in pics are to big, your placement of them is (as mentioned) not as good as it should be. The ones in pics like sitting in bright light to direct sun for long periods of time. If you are re-potting suggest Terracotta 4 inch one pot for each cati. Generally inside at 50 F.However if outside then you may want to provide some over head cover during rain storms.

Pumice location: Agway or a general feed and supply store ask for dry stall. Sifted course sands of 1/8th - 1/4 inch any hardware store sold as cement mix type sand NOT SAND BOX/ PLAY GROUND SAND, Napa oil dryat the same Auto or sometimes harder to find All Sport or Turface, as a filler a handful of fines will do them well. What your aiming for on this mix is 1 part of each part or equal to 1 part Turface ( Or napa oil dry) - 1 part pumice ( or perlite) - 1 part filler of fines or debris.

In short and to this day I've yet to see peat moss in the fast watered/ runoff deserts nor have I've seen any formal meter to enure the area has become dry either. In general watering cati in pics is done more heavily (maybe as often as) 1 time per month during the growing season and less frequently during the non growing months.

Actually Turface is not that hard to find if you know where to look. I have provided a link below that will help.

Also I know there is not a meter out in the desert, but is it is a good tool for someone new to Cacti. Not everyone trying to grow them live in the desert either so the variables are a little different. After all what is the biggest cause of failure for someone new to cactus and succulents? I believe it is overwatering........

Respectfully,
Glenn

Here is a link that might be useful: Turface Supplier Locator

i decided to get chicken grit and cactus soil( i couldn't find the other stuff anyway), and got some 4 inch pots for the little cacti.

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so what i do is mix it 50/50?

and i remember reading something about screening before
do i have to screen the chicken grit?

You should not have to screen that grit. But you may want to wash it. You will see what I mean it can be very dusty. Just remember at least 50% grit more would be better. The object is for it to be fast draining & quick drying.

Glenn