How to Cultivate a Cactus
This article provides a detailed explanation of how to cultivate cacti and an introduction to the planting methods and precautions related to green plants and flowers, which will definitely be of help to you. Let's learn together!
The cactus belongs to the cactus family, cactus genus, and is a perennial herb with succulent stems. It is commonly planted indoors in pots. Its young plants are spherical, while the older ones are cylindrical, with sharp spines and large, beautiful flowers. Cacti are robust in nature, follow the crassulacean acid metabolism pathway, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night, and have the ability to absorb most harmful gases, which can improve and purify the indoor air. Let's learn about the cultivation methods of cacti.
I. Soil
The soil material for potting cacti should be conducive to drainage. You can place small stones at the bottom of the pot, about 3 cm thick. Then, add a mixture of decayed leaf soil, garden soil, and coarse sand in a ratio of 1:2:1 to form a growing medium. If conditions allow, you can also add a base fertilizer or decomposed organic cake fertilizer to the growing medium.
II. Light
In 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. Adequate sunlight is beneficial for their flowering.
III. Temperature
Cacti are native to the dry grasslands of Argentina and southern Brazil and prefer a warm environment. The most suitable 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 environment during winter.
IV. 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 waterlogging and root rot. It's also not advisable to go without watering for long periods, as it can make the plant soft. Watering should follow the principle of "water when dry, and water thoroughly when watering."
V. Fertilization
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 during winter.
VI. Diseases and Pests
Cacti are prone to scale insects during their growing season. A small number can be removed with a brush or tweezers, and a larger number can be treated by burying 15% ferric granules in the soil or by watering the roots with a 40% omethoate emulsion diluted 2000 times.
VII. Precautions
When potting cacti, do not choose an overly large pot. It's best to place the cactus in a pot that has some space left. This is because an overly large pot can make it difficult to control the amount of water, leading to excessive watering and root rot.
VIII. Propagation Methods
(1) June is suitable for planting cactus seeds. Before planting, soak the seeds in warm water for 3 days, then insert them into broken bricks, maintaining a distance of about 2 cm between the seeds. After watering, 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, they can be exposed to some light, and a little water can be added if the potting mix dries out. Wait until they are a year old before potting.
(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 with a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, and it will grow after a month.
The above information on how to cultivate cacti and the related planting methods and precautions is hoped to be of help to you!