Cacti cultivation methods and precautions
Today's experience sharing: cacti cultivation methods and precautions, as well as experience in green plant maintenance on the location of placing cacti on the balcony, are very good knowledge of small experiences, it is recommended to collect them!
Cacti cultivation methods and precautions
Cacti belong to the Cactaceae family, cactus genus, and are perennial succulent plants. They are originally from subtropical regions of America, such as Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and subtropical deserts or semi-deserts, with a few species in Asia and Africa. They are also distributed in China, India, Australia, and other tropical regions. In China, they are mainly distributed in the south and southwest regions. Cacti are suitable for pot cultivation, and can also be planted in the ground in tropical regions.
Cacti come in many varieties, shapes, and have colorful stems and leaves, as well as bright flowers, making them ideal indoor ornamental flowers for pot cultivation. Their fruits are bright red and edible; the stems can be juiced and made into wine (with added sugar), and mashed stems can be applied externally to treat mastitis. After removing the thorns, they can be stir-fried and eaten. In the south of China, cacti are often used as hedges.
1. Soil selection for cacti cultivation
Soil is where plants grow, and most of the nutrients and water needed by plants are absorbed from the soil, so soil has a direct relationship with the growth and development of plants. Pot-grown cacti generally require well-drained and ventilated lime sandy soil or sandy loam soil. Overly fertile soil and soil with excessive soluble salts can easily cause root rot and damage.
The proportion of the cultivation soil mixture should also be adjusted according to the type of cacti, plant size, and climatic conditions in practical applications. For example, young plants require a higher amount of nitrogen fertilizer and water during the growing period, so the proportion of decayed leaf soil in the cultivation soil should be appropriately increased. In areas with high rainfall and humidity, the proportion of river sand can be increased to maintain good ventilation and drainage of the potting soil. For example, for pot-grown cacti placed on outdoor balconies, where the potting soil easily evaporates, the proportion of garden soil and decayed leaf soil can be appropriately increased. Sometimes peat soil or charred rice hulls are also used to replace decayed leaf soil, with good results.
2. Fertilization method for cacti cultivation
Cacti require appropriate fertilization during the growing season, especially for young plants and grafted plants with well-developed root systems. Top dressing can use fully decomposed soybean cake water, fish intestine water, and rotten egg water as liquid fertilizers, and attention should be paid to the concentration. If it is too light, the effect is small, and if it is too concentrated, it can burn the roots. The method of making liquid fertilizer at home is to put crushed soybean cakes and fish intestines into a covered wide-mouthed bottle, add 2 to 4 times the amount of water, leave one-third of the space at the top of the bottle, and let it ferment and decompose. After the liquid is clear, dilute it with 10 to 20 times water and apply it every 15 days.
For some terrestrial cacti that prefer lime soil, lime water can be applied 2 to 3 times during the growing season to prevent soil acidification. The method is to add 1 liang of quicklime to 2 jin of water, stir well, let it settle, and use the clear liquid on top to water the plants. This liquid can be reused by adding water.
3. Watering method for cacti cultivation
Although cacti are relatively drought-tolerant garden flowers, they still need to be watered and sprayed appropriately according to the type, season, and plant size to avoid plant shrinkage and premature aging caused by excessive water deficiency.
The amount of watering should be directly proportional to the temperature. During the growing season from May to October, adopt a multi-moisture management approach. In the hot summer, with high temperatures and evaporation, it is necessary to water every day, and the watering time should be in the early morning or evening. During the rainy season, when the air humidity is high and the evaporation is low, the potting soil should be kept half-dry to prevent root and stem rot. From late autumn, as the temperature drops, watering should be correspondingly reduced.
In winter, water should be strictly controlled to keep the soil from being too dry. The lower the temperature, the drier the potting soil should be. Generally, water once every 1 to 2 weeks, in the morning on sunny days, and be careful not to let the water touch the stem of the cactus, as it can easily cause stem rot. From March to April, as the temperature rises, watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and watering enough when dry, to meet the requirements of cacti breaking dormancy and resuming growth.
4. Temperature requirements for cacti cultivation
The suitable temperature for the growth of cacti is 20-30℃, with a maximum of 35℃ and a minimum of 5℃. Keeping the temperature above 5℃ in winter can ensure safe overwintering, and the drier the potting soil, the more cold-tolerant it is. A relatively stable temperature in winter is required to prevent frost damage. When the temperature reaches 15℃ in spring, growth begins; when the temperature reaches 35℃ in the midsummer, dormancy begins; and growth resumes in autumn.
5. Light requirements for cacti cultivation
Cacti are sun-loving plants and require strong sunlight to produce bright flowers. Therefore, they should be provided with sufficient sunlight, especially in winter. Generally, tall columnar and flat cacti are more tolerant to strong sunlight and can be placed outdoors in summer without shading. Smaller spherical species and young cacti seedlings should be kept in semi-shade and protected from direct sunlight in the summer.
6. Potting method for cacti cultivation
In spring, from April to May, when the temperature rises to 15-20℃ and above, and cacti begin to grow, it is the most suitable time for potting and transplanting. It can also be done in autumn, from September to October.
The best pots for potting are unglazed clay pots with good breathability. Some species with straight roots, succulent or bulbous roots require deeper pots, while cacti with less developed root systems can be planted in shallower pots. A pot that is too large can cause the soil to be too wet, and a pot that is too small can restrict root growth, both of which are not conducive to the growth and development of cacti.
For potting cacti, do not water for 2-3 days before potting to make the potting soil dry, which is easier to remove from the pot. After removal, remove the old soil and withered roots from the bottom, trim the long and coiled roots, and if there are rotting roots, remove all the rotting parts until healthy roots are exposed. For larger wounds, apply garden ash or sulfur powder and let the wound dry slightly before potting.
Before potting, whether it's a new or old pot, it should be cleaned and fully watered before use. The potting method is to first place broken pot pieces and gravel, shells, etc. in the small holes at the bottom of the pot, with a depth of one-fifth to one-sixth of the pot. After potting, place it in a shaded place, do not water at the moment, and water thoroughly after a few days. Gradually move it to a sunny place. For spring potting, no fertilization is needed within half a month, and for autumn potting, fertilization can be done the following spring.
7. Precautions for cacti cultivation
(1) Young cacti should be repotted every year. Mature plants do not need to be repotted every year. However, after a certain period, the nutrients in the pot tend to be exhausted, the roots fill the potting soil, or the potting soil becomes hard and compact due to frequent watering, which is not conducive to drainage and ventilation and can easily cause root rot. Therefore, it is generally repotted every 2-3 years. For fast-growing varieties, the new pot can be slightly larger than the original pot, as long as the original pot can fit into the new pot. During the cultivation process, the surface soil should be loosened frequently to keep the soil well-ventilated for root growth.
(2) Plants that are kept in a certain degree of dryness and sufficient sunlight have lighter stem color, slow growth, but developed and beautiful spines. Plants that are often in high temperature and humidity and poor sunlight conditions grow rapidly, with soft stems and bright colors, but underdeveloped spines and inconspicuous color characteristics, such as red spines often turning blackish-brown. Therefore, the amount of watering should also be adjusted according to the purpose of cultivation.
(3) The water used for watering and spraying should not contain too much sodium chloride and other salts. Generally, rainwater and well water are fine, but the water temperature should not be too low, preferably close to the air temperature. Tap water should be placed in a container for 1-2 days before use. If there is an aquarium at home, using aquarium water to water the pot plants is more suitable.
The above is [] about cacti cultivation methods and precautions and the location of placing cacti on the balcony, hope it helps you!