How to cultivate the "command arrow" cactus to make it bloom
In this topic about the care of the "command arrow" cactus and the small tricks for maintaining its flowers, we will delve into how to cultivate the "command arrow" cactus to make it bloom and share some tips with our concerned netizens. Let's take a look together!
The "command arrow" cactus belongs to the cactus family, with large and beautiful flowers and vibrant colors, which have always been loved by many flower enthusiasts. Not only are the flowers of the "command arrow" cactus beautiful, but it is also very easy to cultivate. With sufficient water, fertilizer, and sunlight, most of them can bloom profusely. However, some flower enthusiasts say that their "command arrow" cactus has lush stems and leaves but rarely blooms. Today, let's share with you some care methods for the "command arrow" cactus to understand how to cultivate it to bloom profusely.
1. Cultivation Soil
Whether a flower grows well or not depends greatly on the cultivation soil. Some flowers prefer slightly acidic soil, while others prefer slightly alkaline soil. It is essential to understand its growth habits before cultivating a flower to prepare the soil accordingly. The "command arrow" cactus requires loose, fertile, and well-draining cultivation soil. For example, you can mix decayed leaf soil, garden soil, coarse sand, and compost in a ratio of 4:3:1:2 to create cultivation soil.
2. Cultivation Method
When planting the "command arrow" cactus, choose a pot of the appropriate size with good breathability. First, place broken tiles at the bottom of the pot to cover the drainage holes, then add a small amount of decomposed bean cake or bone meal as a base fertilizer, followed by adding the cultivation soil and placing the plant in it. Spread the roots fully, then press the soil down and water it thoroughly. Place the pot in a shaded area for a week before transitioning to normal care.
3. Fertilization Requirements
The "command arrow" cactus grows quickly and requires a lot of fertilizer, but it should not be over-fertilized. During the spring growing season, you can apply a well-decomposed cake fertilizer water every 15 days to promote healthy growth of stems and leaves.
In April and May, the plant usually starts to bud and bloom. If it lacks nutrients during this period, the plant will become weak and may bloom less or not at all. Therefore, before the plant buds, it should be given an additional 1-2 applications of fast-acting phosphorus fertilizer to make the flowers more numerous and vibrant.
After flowering, the plant will enter another period of vigorous growth. At this time, you can apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer to promote the growth of new stems and leaves, which is beneficial for the next blooming cycle.
How to cultivate the "command arrow" cactus to make it bloom
4. Watering Method
The "command arrow" cactus is drought-resistant, so it is not suitable to water it too frequently during maintenance. In spring and autumn, water thoroughly when the soil is dry to avoid waterlogging in the pot, which can cause root rot.
During the hot summer, avoid making the potting soil too wet or dry. When the weather is dry, you can sprinkle water around the pot to increase the humidity of the air. In winter, control watering to keep the potting soil slightly moist and slightly dry.
5. Sunlight Requirements
In spring and autumn, the "command arrow" cactus should be exposed to plenty of sunlight. In summer, when the plant has a brief dormant period, avoid direct sunlight and maintain good ventilation and air circulation, as otherwise, the stems and leaves may turn yellow and wilt. In winter, try to place the pot in a sunny area to allow the plant to bask in the sun.
6. Pruning and Shaping
The "command arrow" cactus has vigorous growth of stems and leaves. During growth, remove excessive side buds and new buds at the bottom, and remove weak stems and leaves to reduce nutrient consumption, ensuring that nutrients are concentrated in the healthy stems and leaves for flowering.
The stems and leaves of the "command arrow" cactus are soft and slender, and they may easily fall over when they reach a certain height. Therefore, it is necessary to build a support structure for it when it reaches a certain height, and fix the leaves evenly on the support to increase ventilation and light between the plants, preventing them from falling over and enhancing their ornamental value.
When cultivating the "command arrow" cactus, it is generally necessary to repot and replace the soil every 1-2 years. Choose a suitable time in spring or autumn when the temperature is appropriate. First, remove the plant from the pot, remove the old soil from the roots, check for any rotting roots, and prune them. Then, replace the pot with new cultivation soil and care for it.
The above content about how to cultivate the "command arrow" cactus to make it bloom and the small tricks for maintaining its flowers are for reference by green plant enthusiasts. We hope it can solve your problems in managing green plants and flowers.