How to Care for a Cactus
The editor explains how to care for a cactus and the cultivation techniques of green plants and flowers. The following is an introduction in detail:
Cacti are perennial herbaceous succulents of the Cactaceae family, Cactaceae genus. They are commonly grown indoors in pots. Their young plants are spherical, while the older ones 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, which can absorb most harmful gases and improve and purify 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 decomposed leaf soil, garden soil, and coarse sand in a ratio of 1:2:1 as the growing medium. If conditions allow, you can also add a base fertilizer or decomposed organic cake fertilizer to the growing medium.
II. Light
During 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 strong, they need to be shaded appropriately. Sufficient sunlight is beneficial for flowering.
III. Temperature
Cacti are native to the arid grasslands of Argentina and southern Brazil and prefer warm environments. 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 lower than 0 degrees Celsius. In winter, they should be placed in a warm indoor environment.
IV. Watering
Although cacti are drought-resistant, they prefer moist soil and should be kept moist. However, this does not mean excessive watering. Too much water can cause waterlogging and root rot. It's also not possible to go without watering for a long time, which will make the plant soft. Watering should follow the principle of "water when dry, and water thoroughly when watering."
V. Fertilizing
Cacti enjoy fertilizer and require 2 to 3 applications of dilute liquid fertilizer per month. No fertilizer should be applied in the first year of planting, and no fertilizer is needed in winter.
VI. Pests and Diseases
Cacti are prone to scale insects during the growing season. A small number can be brushed off or removed with tweezers and destroyed. A larger number can be treated by burying 15% ferric granules in the soil or浇灌 the roots with a 40% omethoate emulsion diluted 2000 times.
VII. Precautions
When potting cacti, it's not advisable to choose an overly large pot. It's best to use a pot that has some space left after placing the cactus. 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 a suitable month 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. Water after sowing, then 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 appear, you can let them get some light, and if the potting soil dries out, a little water can be added. Wait until the plants are a year old before repotting.
(2) Cut one of the cactus's offsets 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 of 20 degrees Celsius, and it can grow after a month.
The above sharing on how to care for a cactus and the cultivation techniques related to cacti aim to bring a little help to your life!