Cacti are very beautiful plants, loved for their unique appearance. However, many people have a question: Are cacti afraid of the sun? Many might think that since cacti grow in deserts, they should be fine with sunlight. But in reality, their skin can also be sunburned. How tolerant are cacti to sunlight, and what are some sun protection methods? Let's explore this together.
What is a Cactus?
A cactus is a succulent plant belonging to the Cactaceae family. Its appearance is characterized by a spherical or hemispherical fleshy body covered in many spine-like thorns. Their flowers are relatively small, and some are very brightly colored.
The Growing Environment of Cacti
Cacti mainly grow in tropical and subtropical regions, such as the Americas, Africa, and Australia. They prefer hot, dry environments and do not like high humidity. Therefore, cacti typically grow in desert or semi-desert areas.
The Sun Tolerance of Cacti
Although cacti grow in deserts, they have a certain level of tolerance. For example, they can withstand extremely high temperatures and low-water environments. However, their tolerance to sunlight is not that strong.
Sunburn Symptoms on Cacti
When a cactus is sunburned, its epidermis may lighten in color and develop yellowish-brown or white spots. This damage to the epidermis affects the plant's normal photosynthesis and water absorption.
Why Cacti Get Sunburned
Because cacti grow in deserts, they typically absorb enough sunlight for photosynthesis in a relatively short amount of time. However, if the sunlight is too intense or lasts too long, it can harm the cactus.
The Harm of Sunburn to Cacti
Sunburn can cause cacti to lose their original beauty, and in severe cases, it can lead to their death. Additionally, sunburn affects the growth and development of cacti, potentially causing slow growth or even deformity.
Sun Protection Methods for Cacti
We can place cacti indoors or in partial shade. We can spray some sunscreen on them to protect their epidermis. Additionally, we can place some shade or white cloth around the plants to reduce the intensity of the sunlight.
The Amount of Sunlight Cacti Need
Although cacti are sensitive to the sun, they still need some sunlight for photosynthesis. Generally, they require 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.
How to Water Correctly
Since cacti prefer a dry environment, we should be careful not to overwater them. Generally, we can water them once a week, with a slight increase in the summer.
Propagation Methods for Cacti
There are several ways to propagate cacti, such as by seeds, cuttings, or division. Among these, division is the most common and simplest method. All you need to do is take the cactus out of the soil and divide it into several sections.
How to Repot Correctly
As cacti grow, their volume increases, and they can become root-bound. At this point, they need to be repotted. We can first take the cactus out of its old pot, clean off the old soil, and then place it in a new pot with fresh soil.
The Soil Cacti Need
Since cacti prefer a dry environment, we need to choose well-draining soil, such as sandy or loamy soil. Additionally, we can add some well-rotted organic matter to the soil to help provide nutrients.
Common Diseases of Cacti
Cacti can suffer from common diseases such as anthracnose and rot. To prevent these diseases, we need to pay attention to the amount of water to prevent excessive humidity. We can also add appropriate disinfectants to the soil to kill any potential pathogens.
How to Care for Cacti
Caring for cacti requires attention to the following points: 1. Pay attention to sun protection; 2. Water moderately and maintain soil aeration; 3. Choose appropriate soil; 4. Pay attention to disease prevention and control.
From the analysis above, it is clear that cacti are succulents that are not highly tolerant to sunlight. To prevent sunburn, we need to pay attention to selecting a suitable growing environment and using reasonable sun protection methods. Only in this way can they grow more healthily.