How to cultivate coral cacti
Let me tell you about how to cultivate coral cacti and the care knowledge of potted coral cacti. Let's learn about it together.
There are many varieties of succulent plants, which are deeply loved by people. Coral cacti are one of the unique options, with long stems standing vertically like clusters of coral. Today, I will introduce the cultivation methods for coral succulents.
1. Propagation Methods
Coral succulents can be propagated by cutting, which can be done all year round. Cut the healthy, disease-free stem sections of the coral succulents, let them dry to prevent rot, and then insert them into the prepared sandbed. Transplant them to a pot after they have rooted.
2. Soil Selection
To grow coral succulents well, it is important to choose loose and breathable soil. You can use a mixture of decomposed leaf soil and some river sand, which is nutritious and allows good water and air permeability. Since they grow relatively fast, the soil usually needs to be changed every one to two years. When repotting, you can trim the roots appropriately to promote new root growth.
3. Water and Fertilizer Management
Coral succulents have very thick stems with good water storage capacity, so they have good drought resistance. You don't need to water them too much, and slightly dry soil is beneficial for their growth. If watered too much, the roots may rot. In spring and autumn, water after the soil is completely dry, usually once every ten days, and increase the watering frequency in summer.
Fertilizing is also not needed too much, just once a month during the growing season. The potassium content should be slightly higher. In winter, coral succulents enter a dormant period and do not need to be fertilized.
4. Temperature Management
Coral succulents are suitable for growing in a warm environment, preferably maintaining a temperature between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. They are not very cold-resistant, so the temperature should not be lower than 8 degrees Celsius in winter. You can keep them indoors.
5. Light Management
Coral succulents need some light during their growing period but should be protected from direct sunlight. You can place them in an environment with scattered light. In summer, when the sun is strong, appropriate shading is needed.
6. Disease and Pest Control
Common pests of coral succulents include scale insects, and common diseases include root rot and anthracnose. Scale insects often hide in the plants and absorb the nutrients of coral succulents, which can significantly affect their growth. You need to use carbaryl emulsion for spraying. If the potting soil accumulates too much water, root rot may occur, so water appropriately. Anthracnose is a disease caused by fungal infection, and at this time, you need to remove the infected branches and leaves, then use bactericidal agents for disinfection.
7. Pruning and Shaping
To make the coral succulents more beautiful, appropriate pruning and shaping are necessary. Normally, you can cut off the long branches, diseased branches, and withered branches. Every year when repotting, trim the decayed, rotten, and withered roots appropriately. After pruning, remember to apply an appropriate amount of carbendazim solution to prevent the invasion of bacteria.
The above sharing on how to cultivate coral cacti and comprehensive methods for caring for potted coral cacti, I hope it can serve as a stepping stone to solve your problems with green plants.