How to Care for a Cactus to Make It Grow Well
If you want to know how to care for a cactus to make it grow well and the key points of cactus cultivation techniques, let's learn about them together below.
The cactus belongs to the Cactaceae family, Cactaceae, and is a perennial herbaceous plant with succulent stems. It is commonly grown in pots indoors. Its young plants are spherical, while the older plants are cylindrical, with sharp spines and large, beautiful flowers. Cacti have a robust nature and follow the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) pathway, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen at night, making them capable of absorbing most harmful gases, thus improving and purifying indoor air. Let's learn about the cultivation methods of cacti.
I. Soil
The potting soil for a cactus should be well-draining, with small stones placed at the bottom of the pot, about 3 centimeters thick. Then, mix potting soil made 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 potting soil.
II. Light
During the growing season, the cactus can be placed outdoors to ensure 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day. In the summer, when sunlight is intense, it needs to be shaded appropriately. Adequate sunlight is beneficial for flowering.
III. Temperature
Cacti are native to the dry grasslands of Argentina and southern Brazil and prefer a warm environment. 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 during winter, it should be placed in a warm indoor area.
IV. Watering
Although cacti are drought-tolerant, they prefer moist soil and should be kept moist. However, this does not mean that too much water should be given. Excessive watering can cause waterlogging and root rot. It's also not possible to go without watering for extended periods, as this will make the plant's body soft. Watering should follow the principle of "water when dry, water thoroughly when watering."
V. Fertilizing
Cacti enjoy fertilizer and require 2 to 3 applications of diluted liquid fertilizer per month. No fertilizer should be applied in the first year of planting, and no fertilizer is needed during winter.
VI. 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% ferric granules in the soil or watering the roots with a 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate diluted 2000 times.
VII. Precautions
When potting cacti, choose a pot that is not too large, preferably one that leaves some space around the cactus. This is because a too-large pot is difficult to control for watering, which can easily lead to excessive watering and root rot.
VIII. Propagation Methods
(1) June is a suitable time 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 watering, cover with white paper to prevent excessive evaporation of water. Maintain a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, and you can see seedlings in about a month. After the seedlings have emerged, you can allow them some exposure to light, and if the potting soil dries out, a little water can be added. Wait until they are a year old before repotting.
(2) Cut one of the daughter cacti from the main plant with a knife. If the cut is large, it needs to be dried 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 in about a month.
The above tips on how to care for a cactus to make it grow well and the key points of cactus cultivation techniques are shared to provide you with some helpful green plant and flower care experience in your life!