How to care for Disocactus to prevent root rot
Let me tell you about how to care for Disocactus to prevent root rot and teach you the correct way to care for Disocactus, including knowledge about flowers and plants. The details are as follows:
August is almost over, and when September arrives, many places will really enter autumn, with temperatures gradually decreasing. After dormant throughout the summer, Disocactus will begin to grow rapidly and produce flower buds to prepare for blooming when the weather cools down. So, what kind of fertilizer should be applied to Disocactus in autumn to promote fast growth and easy blooming? Here is my suggestion.
Disocactus
Best Fertilizing Method: Use a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers
For Disocactus that has just resumed growth in autumn, it is not recommended to immediately apply fast-acting inorganic fertilizers shallowly buried near the roots or to water the roots with a solution of fast-acting inorganic fertilizers. Because after Disocactus resumes growth, the roots that have been dormant throughout the summer may not have fully recovered. Fast-acting inorganic fertilizers release their effect quickly, and shallow burial or root watering carry a higher risk. You can first water Disocactus with a thin solution of organic fertilizer (which can be self-composted or ready-made organic fertilizer), and after five days, spray a compound fast-acting water-soluble fertilizer on the leaves. This way, Disocactus will not lack nutrients.
Applying fertilizer properly will make Disocactus grow vigorously and bloom more
If your Disocactus is not grafted, you can apply fertilizer like this throughout the autumn after it resumes growth. Water with a dilute organic fertilizer solution every ten days and spray a fast-acting water-soluble fertilizer (Flower多多 No. 2 or potassium dihydrogen phosphate) on the leaves every fifteen days. There's no need to worry about not growing vigorously or not blooming in autumn. This method of fertilizing Disocactus is also very safe, and as long as watering is controlled, the possibility of root rot is very small.
Using a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers is more effective
Can't fast-acting inorganic fertilizers be completely dissolved for root watering or shallow burial near the roots?
They are not completely unusable. When the Disocactus is healthy and growing normally, and there is no organic fertilizer available, fast-acting inorganic fertilizers can be dissolved for root watering or shallow burial near the roots, but the risk is higher than with organic fertilizers. Because the roots of Disocactus are delicate and not very tolerant to fertilizer, a higher concentration or frequent fertilizing can cause fertilizer burns. When using fast-acting inorganic fertilizers for root watering or shallow burial, the dosage should be controlled and intervals should be maintained at about 15 days for relatively safety. But if you want to promote blooming in Disocactus, it is still recommended to spray phosphorus and potassium fertilizers on the leaves, as this method is more effective. Because fertilizers like potassium dihydrogen phosphate and Flower多多 No. 2 are absorbed faster and more thoroughly when sprayed on the leaves, making it easier to achieve the effect of promoting blooming.
How to care for Disocactus to prevent root rot
A small number of potted plants can have fertilizer buried near the roots or watered
When shallowly burying fertilizer near the roots of Disocactus, be sure to do it along the edge of the pot and not too close to the roots. If you have a lot of Disocactus in one pot and the pot is full of roots, don't shallowly bury the fertilizer; instead, water directly after repotting or spray on the leaves. Granular fertilizers that come into contact with the roots or stems of Disocactus are very likely to cause rot.
Disocactus with root rot causes the leaves to wilt
Grafted Disocactus can be fertilized more freely
If your Disocactus is grafted, whether it is grafted with cactus or leaf cactus, fertilizing is more convenient than for non-grafted ones. The reason why non-grafted Disocactus needs to be fertilized carefully is because their root systems are not well-developed, while the rootstock of grafted Disocactus is more developed and has better resistance and tolerance to fertilizer. Some rootstock-grafted Disocactus will not go dormant in the summer and will continue to grow. The leaves of grafted Disocactus are also more lush, so the nutrient consumption naturally doubles. When fertilizing grafted Disocactus:
1. Fertilizing can be more flexible and not too careful.
2. Fast-acting inorganic fertilizers can also be shallowly buried near the roots or watered, as long as the concentration is controlled. It's better to have organic fertilizer replace fast-acting fertilizers for root watering or shallow burial.
3. The interval between two fertilizations can be shorter than that of non-grafted Disocactus, otherwise, the leaves may consume too many nutrients and a large interval may lead to a supply shortage.
4. In autumn, fertilizing should focus on compound fertilizers (both inorganic and organic) and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.
Fertilizing grafted Disocactus is simpler
How to fertilize newly repotted Disocactus?
Some gardeners repot Disocactus in autumn. After repotting, Disocactus should not be fertilized until it has adapted to the new pot. To determine if Disocactus has adapted, mainly look at two things:
1. Whether the leaves are soft or hard. If they change from soft to hard, it means they have adapted.
2. Check if there are new leaves sprouting at the top of the leaves. If there are, it means they have adapted.
Don't rush to water or shallowly bury inorganic fertilizers for newly adapted Disocactus. You can first spray the leaves with compound fertilizer one or two times, and if there are no abnormalities, further confirm the growth status before considering using fertilizer water for root watering or shallow burial. Therefore, if you want to repot Disocactus in autumn, do it early, otherwise, repotting too late will affect the differentiation and growth of flower buds, thus affecting this year's blooming.