Cactus Cultivation Methods
Plant Management Tips: This article covers the planting of the succulent plant cactus, including cultivation methods. Here's an introduction by the editor for everyone.
Cultivation and management of cacti should be based on different species, varieties, place of origin, morphology, and habits. Cacti are divided into two types according to their place of origin and morphology: terrestrial and epiphytic. Terrestrial cacti are native to the arid deserts or semi-deserts of the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, with stems mutated into spherical or columnar shapes and leaves mutated into spiny needles. The rainy season, when they absorb water and grow, is from April to October each year, while the period from October to the following March is a controlled water dormancy period. Epiphytic cacti are native to tropical rainforests, with flat stems, fewer spines, no dormancy period or not obvious, and require a semi-shaded, warm, humid, and high-air-humidity environment year-round.
I. Potting
1. Potting Time In Guangzhou, potting is usually done once a year, either in spring (mid-March to early April) or autumn (September to mid-October). Stop watering 3-5 days before potting. When potting, first remove the plant from the pot, shake off the soil from the roots,剪掉 old, rotten, and semi-dry roots, and be careful not to cut the main root, known as the "radish root." Leave only 3-4 cm of healthy roots, place the plant in a shaded and well-ventilated area for 5-6 days before replanting, which promotes faster and better root growth. If there are young plants next to the old ones, they can be broken off, the roots trimmed appropriately, and planted separately to become new plants.
2. Potting Soil Preparation, Disinfection, and Planting For terrestrial types, a mixture of 5 parts loam, 3 parts peat or decomposed leaf soil, and 2 parts coarse sand can be used, with a little lime or old wall dust added to make a well-draining, breathable limy sandy soil or sandy loam. For epiphytic types, a mixture of 1 part compost, 1 part coarse sand, and 1 part peat, with a little bone meal added, can be used to make a neutral or slightly acidic, rich in humus, well-draining and moisture-retaining fertile potting soil. After preparing the potting soil, spray 400-500 ml of a 40% formaldehyde solution diluted 50 times per cubic meter, mix it into the soil 10-20 days before use, cover it with plastic film, and open the film one week before planting to let the medicine dissipate. When planting new plants, place a layer of gauze on the bottom of the pot to prevent pests, then cover the gauze with tiles or other objects for drainage. Add soil to 2-3 cm from the pot rim to facilitate watering later. Since the soil is moist, there's no need to water immediately after planting; after 7-10 days, water thoroughly. The planted plants should be kept in a bright area without direct sunlight, and after about 10 days, they will start to grow new roots, then water once more and resume normal management.
II. Cultivation Management Techniques
1. Watering and Spraying Terrestrial cacti have distinct growing and dormant seasons, requiring watering during the growing season and less or no watering during dormancy. For epiphytic types, if the winter temperature is above 12°C, watering can be done all year round; if below 12°C, watering should be reduced and spraying stopped. The principle of watering is: "Water thoroughly when dry, and don't water when not dry." The water temperature should be as close as possible to the soil temperature, early in the morning and late in the evening in summer, and from 10 to 11 am in winter; and water directly onto the potting soil to avoid affecting the beauty of the spines. In addition, water the ground in summer to increase humidity.
2. Fertilization Fertilization follows the principles of timing, quantity, and target. It is done in spring and autumn, once every 20 days, preferably in the early morning or evening on sunny days. If the potting soil is dry, sprinkle a little water before fertilizing, with a concentration of 0.05% to 0.2%. Water thoroughly the next morning for better results. Terrestrial types require fertilizers rich in potassium and phosphorus and low in nitrogen, while epiphytic types require more nitrogenous fertilizers.
3. Light Terrestrial types prefer plenty of sunlight, especially in winter. Larger columnar and flat types are more tolerant of strong sunlight and can be placed outdoors without shading in summer; smaller spherical types prefer semi-shade in summer. During the hot season from June to August, cover the top growth point and surrounding area of the golden barrel cactus with a circular piece of plastic film to ensure uniform growth of the ball. Epiphytic cacti require semi-shade all year round.
4. Temperature The optimal growing temperature for cacti is between 20-35°C. Terrestrial types do not require high temperatures during the dormant period in winter; maintaining a temperature of 4-7°C with dry potting soil is sufficient. Epiphytic types, on the other hand, require higher temperatures in winter, preferably around 10-13°C or higher. When temperatures reach 30-35°C in summer, most cacti slow down their growth, and some stems may turn yellow or get sunburned, requiring shading and watering the ground to lower the temperature.
5. Air Most cacti are native to open desert areas with good ventilation and fresh air. Therefore, during hot summer weather, proper ventilation and cooling measures should be taken in the cultivation area. The greenhouse should be located in a well-ventilated environment with multiple windows and skylights as通风口, and additional equipment such as exhaust fans, blowers, or electric fans can be installed to enhance air circulation and help cacti survive the summer safely.
The above is the complete content on cactus cultivation methods, have green plant enthusiasts understood it?