How to care for Zygocactus in autumn
A comprehensive explanation of how to care for Zygocactus in autumn and some handy tips for maintaining green plants and flowers. The following is a detailed introduction.
Zygocactus grows very vigorously in autumn, producing many leaves, and can bloom before winter arrives, continuing to bloom until summer. The blooming period is very long. However, when caring for Zygocactus in autumn, you must not be negligent. Autumn is the season for it to recover and grow leaves. You need to do "3 preventions" to ensure that the new leaves are strong and the plant blooms vigorously and easily flowers in abundance.
1. Prevent rotting
It is easy for Zygocactus leaves to rot when kept at home, which is a critical point. Some people also experience root rot. Therefore, we need to prevent rotting of roots and leaves properly. If the ventilation at home is poor and the soil does not dry out after watering for a long time, even if the roots are developed, the leaves can still develop rot spots due to poor ventilation. Moreover, if the soil has poor breathability, water does not dry out quickly, or watering frequency is too high, it can easily cause root rot. This requires us to ensure good ventilation at home.
Place it directly near the window for ventilation or in a position in the garden where it won't get rained on during this season, and it will grow rapidly. Control watering properly, avoid frequent watering, use breathable soil for planting, and it will grow quickly. Regularly supplementing fertilizer will ensure that the new leaves grow large and thick, and there will be enough new leaves, resulting in more flowers when it blooms.
2. Prevent pests
Actually, Zygocactus belongs to the cactus family and has relatively few pests. However, do not be careless. In autumn, when it grows vigorously, the leaves are quite tender and prone to attracting pests. It will first attract the large green caterpillars, which are the white moths we commonly see and other flying moths. These moths lay eggs on the leaves when they land on them, causing the large green caterpillars to emerge and eat the leaves, leading to leaf damage and affecting blooming and growth.
And for any cactus plants, the most common pest is the scale insect, which is white and dense on the leaves. Just looking at them can make your scalp tingle. This requires us to spray pesticides regularly to prevent them, ensure good ventilation, as poor ventilation is prone to pest infestations. If placed near other plants, it can easily lead to pest outbreaks. Use Abamectin every half month to spray, which can ensure that pests do not occur and the plant can grow rapidly with undamaged and non-yellowing leaves.
3. Prevent back pulling
Many people find that the leaves of Zygocactus keep pulling back and not growing, which is a common problem. The main reason for this is improper watering. Because most people think that Zygocactus is a cactus plant and should not be watered too much, excessive watering can cause root rot. However, Zygocactus does not need watering during its dormant season, but during the spring, autumn, and winter seasons, which are the growing and flowering seasons, water is essential. If you wait until the potting soil is completely dry and then water after a few days, the roots will dry out, and its absorption capacity will also weaken. When it lacks water, the leaves will appear wilted, and if this happens frequently, it will lead to severe back pulling, and watering will not help it recover.
So, when growing Zygocactus at home, you need to prevent back pulling and ensure proper watering. As long as the soil has good breathability, you should water it when the soil is half dry. If using garden soil with poor breathability and poor indoor ventilation, you should water it thoroughly when the potting soil is almost dry. This way, the Zygocactus you grow will grow leaves quickly during the growing season, and the flower buds will not fall off during the flowering season, resulting in a full bloom.
Zygocactus is very easy to care for. Don't be negligent in autumn care. Do the 3 preventions, and the new leaves will be strong and abundant, allowing the plant to bloom more vigorously and easily flower in abundance. And after flowering once, as long as you ensure sufficient fertilizer, it can bloom a second time.
The above introduction (Green Plant Enthusiast Network) on how to care for Zygocactus in autumn and the specific contents of the maintenance tips for Zygocactus. If it can be of help to you, remember to visit the Green Plant Enthusiast Network often!