What kind of geographical environment does cactus originate from?
This introduction to the geographical environment where cacti originate and the environmental conditions for their growth will surely be helpful to you. Let's learn about it together!
Previously, some flower friends reflected that only cacti can be kept alive, as this plant is easy to cultivate. In fact, cacti also have their unique charm. Let's take a look.
I. About Cacti
Cacti are also known as "fairy palm" and "ox tongue". Don't undervalue this plant. It has drifted across the seas to reach China. Cacti are originally from Mexico, the United States, and other places, and were introduced to China during the Ming Dynasty, where they are very popular in coastal areas.
Habits: Cacti prefer warm, sunny, and dry areas. Not only that, they are not picky about soil and can basically survive after planting. The propagation methods are also relatively simple, usually using division and cutting. The division method, as the name implies, involves taking the small plants from the mother plant and planting them directly. For groups that are difficult to produce small plants, they can be forced to propagate.
Another method is cutting, which has certain seasonal restrictions. Generally, it is done in spring and summer. Select healthy tubers, dry them in a dry and well-ventilated place for a few days, and then proceed with the cutting. Note that the newly cut plants should not be watered, and the soil should preferably be slightly dry, as excessive moisture can cause the plants to rot and fail to survive. Even after surviving, they should not be watered too frequently.
II. The Versatile Uses of Cacti
(1) Cacti can be used in medicine.
The leaves of cacti are succulent. In the "Compendium of Materia Medica拾遗" written by Zhao Xue敏 in the Qing Dynasty, it is recorded that cacti have a bland taste and cold nature, with the effects of promoting qi and blood circulation, clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and relieving pain, strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea, and calming the mind and promoting diuresis. They can be used internally and externally to treat various diseases.
Cacti can also treat mumps by removing the spines, crushing them, and applying the juice to the affected area or applying the mashed cactus to the affected area. Cacti can also prevent and alleviate cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
(2) Cacti can be eaten.
Cacti are also rich in nutrients and vitamins. They have always been a traditional food in the Americas and have a unique taste. Cacti can be used in soups or grilled. However, I prefer to eat them raw; they are fresh, juicy, and delicious. They can also be made into salads, and cacti can also be used to make wine.
Some parts of the cacti can bear fruit, which is also delicious. The fruit looks like a small cup and has a good taste, with a sweet flavor. Cacti are plants with high nutritional value, rich in vitamins, and can also relieve skin dryness.
So, if you have a cactus that is blooming at home, you should be secretly delighted. It's a treasure!
(3) Cacti can be used as rootstocks.
Cacti are also good rootstocks. Why choose cacti as rootstocks? Of course, it's because of their advantages. One is that cacti have a strong vitality and can improve the survival rate of the grafted plants. Second, cacti are inexpensive and easy to propagate.
However, grafting requires compatibility. Cacti are not universal rootstocks and are generally grafted onto plants with closer genetic relationships, such as orchid cacti, false cacti, and cacti fingers.
III. The Decorative Function of Cacti
Don't think that they are just full of spines; they can also decorate rooms. The flowers are also very beautiful, small and delicate. Moreover, different species have different characteristics, some with long tubular flowers, others with flowers resembling small flames, and various colors. If different types of cacti bloom at the same time, it also has a unique charm.
That's all for today. If you want to know more tips, welcome to comment and leave a message.
This article shares the introduction to the geographical environment where cacti originate and the specific introduction to the environmental conditions for their growth, for reference by netizens.