How to Care for a Cactus to Make It Bloom
This article provides a detailed explanation for netizens on how to care for a cactus to make it bloom and the steps involved in growing a cactus, please see the following introduction for more information.
Cacti are perennial herbaceous succulents belonging to the Cactaceae family and the Cactus genus. They are commonly grown indoors in pots. Young plants are spherical, while older ones are cylindrical, with sharp spines and large, beautiful flowers. Cacti have a robust nature, follow the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) pathway, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen at night, and can absorb most harmful gases, improving and purifying indoor air. Let's learn about how to grow a cactus.
One, Soil
For potted cacti, the soil material should be conducive to drainage. You can place small stones at the bottom of the pot, about 3 centimeters thick. Then add a mixture of decayed leaf soil, garden soil, and coarse sand in a ratio of 1:2:1. If conditions allow, you can also add a base fertilizer or decomposed organic cake fertilizer to the growing medium.
Two, Light
During the growing season of cacti, they can be placed outdoors for cultivation, ensuring 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day. In the summer, when sunlight is intense, they need to be shaded appropriately. Sufficient sunlight is beneficial for flowering.
Three, Temperature
Cacti are native to the arid grasslands of Argentina and southern Brazil and prefer warm environments. The optimal temperature for their growth is 20 to 25 degrees Celsius during the day and 13 to 15 degrees Celsius at night. The minimum temperature should not be below 0 degrees Celsius, and they should be placed in a warm indoor area during the winter.
Four, Water
Although cacti are drought-resistant, they prefer moist soil and should be kept moist. However, this does not mean excessive watering, as too much water can cause积水 and lead to root rot. It's also not possible to go without watering for extended periods, as it will make the plant soft. Watering should follow the principle of "water when dry, and water thoroughly when watering."
Five, Fertilizing
Cacti enjoy fertilizer and require 2 to 3稀薄 liquid fertilizers per month. No fertilizer should be applied in the first year of planting, and no fertilizer is needed in winter.
Six, Pests and Diseases
Cacti are prone to scale insects during the growing season. A small number can be removed with a brush or tweezers, while a larger number can be treated by burying 15% carbaryl granules in the soil or浇灌 the roots with a 40% dimethoate emulsion diluted 2000 times.
Seven, Precautions
When growing cacti in pots, avoid using overly large pots. It's best to place the cactus in a pot with some space left. Large pots make it difficult to control the amount of water, easily leading to excessive watering and root rot.
Eight, Propagation Methods
(1) June is a suitable month for sowing cactus seeds. Soak the seeds in warm water for 3 days before planting, then insert them into broken bricks, maintaining a distance of about 2 centimeters between seeds. After sowing, water and cover with white paper to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture. Maintain a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, and you can see seedlings after a month. After the seedlings emerge, allow them some light and water a little when the soil dries out. Wait until they are a year old before potting them.
(2) Cut one of the offshoots from the cactus with a small knife. If the cut is large, let it dry first before placing it flat on moist river sand. Keep the sand surface moist but not overly wet. Then move it to an environment of 20 degrees Celsius, and it will grow after a month.
The above information () provides a complete guide on how to care for a cactus to make it bloom and the steps involved in growing a cactus, hoping it will be helpful to cactus enthusiasts!