Newspapers, huh? I'll do that. I planted that last lobe with a pair of pliers.
I think mine does pretty well cuz it's under an awning where it gets southern sun all day, but not much rain. And I rarely water unless we're in a drought.
I have a potted cactus - a donkey tail - my mom gave me. It's over 30 yrs old, and it gets watered maybe 3-4 times a year. Any more, and it starts falling apart.