How to Care for a Cactus to Make It Grow Fast
Below is a detailed introduction for netizens on how to care for a cactus to make it grow fast, and a topic on the correct care of cacti, which will be introduced by our editor next.
The cactus belongs to the Cactaceae family and the cactus genus, a perennial herbaceous plant with succulent tissues. Commonly cultivated indoors in pots, its young plants are spherical and mature plants are cylindrical, with sharp spines and beautiful large flowers. The cactus has a robust nature, follows the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) pathway, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen at night, and has the ability to absorb most harmful gases, thus improving and purifying indoor air. Let's learn about the cultivation methods of cacti.
I. Soil
For potted cacti, the soil material should be conducive to drainage. You can place small stones at the bottom of the pot, about 3 centimeters thick. Then, place the mixed growing medium composed of decayed leaf soil, garden soil, and coarse sand in a ratio of 1:2:1. If conditions permit, you can also add base fertilizer or decomposed organic cake fertilizer to the growing medium.
II. Light
During the growing season of the cactus, it can be placed outdoors for cultivation, ensuring 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day. In the summer, when sunlight is intense, it needs to be appropriately shaded. Sufficient sunlight is beneficial for its flowering.
III. Temperature
The cactus is native to the dry grasslands of Argentina and southern Brazil and prefers a warm environment. The most suitable temperature for its 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, and it should be placed in a warm indoor area during the winter.
IV. Watering
Although the cactus is drought-tolerant, it prefers moist soil and should maintain soil moisture. However, this does not mean excessive watering. Too much water can easily cause waterlogging and lead to root rot. It's also not possible to go without watering for a long time, as it will make the cactus 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 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. Diseases and Pests
Cacti are prone to scale insects during the growing season. A small number can be brushed off or removed with tweezers and destroyed. If there are many, you can apply 15% ironmelt granules to the soil or use a 40% dimethoate emulsion diluted 2000 times to water the roots.
VII. Precautions
When growing cacti in pots, choose a pot that is not too large, preferably one that has some space left after placing the cactus. This is because an overly large pot is difficult to control the amount of watering and can easily lead to excessive watering and waterlogging, causing 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 centimeters between seeds. Water after sowing, then cover with white paper to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture. Maintain a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, and after a month, you can see the seedlings. After the seedlings have some exposure to light and the potting soil becomes dry, a little water can be added. Wait until the plants are a year old before repotting.
(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 without too much water. Then move it to an environment of 20 degrees Celsius, and it can grow after a month.
The above introduction on how to care for a cactus to make it grow fast and the complete guide to the correct care of cacti are provided for everyone to learn and understand!