Care Tips for Deer Antler Cactus
Answering netizens' questions about the experience of caring for the succulent plant known as Deer Antler Cactus, here are the detailed contents to share.
The Deer Antler Cactus belongs to the Cylindrical Cactus genus of the Cactaceae family, and has many aliases such as Coral Tree,牡丹 (Peony) Cactus, and Cactus Coral. It is drought-resistant but sensitive to frost and cannot survive the winter outdoors in the north. With sufficient fertilizer, it grows rapidly (up to 2 meters) and mainly propagates through cutting.
The most notable feature of the Deer Antler Cactus is its tolerance to direct sunlight. Placed on a hot windowsill in the summer, it still grows well and even blooms more with more sun exposure. After blooming, it produces red fruits that are very attractive. It is best to ensure good ventilation in its growing environment, otherwise it is prone to red spider mites, which are hard to detect at first. Once detected, it's often too late, and a layer of yellowish-brown skin easily forms on the surface, which is unsightly.
Different stages of care require different management approaches:
In the seedling stage, it is important to control water and fertilizer, ensuring the seedlings are sturdy and not leggy. Leggy growth not only affects the shape but also reduces the likelihood of flowering. After the basic shape is formed, water and fertilizer can be increased to promote thicker stems. When flower buds begin to appear, water should be reduced to encourage more buds. After all the flower buds have appeared, some water should be added to promote better growth. Just before the buds open, water should be reduced again to prolong the blooming period. Shaping is based on personal preference; if a small part is growing in an undesirable position, it can be cut off to leave only the ideal position. With careful pruning, it can indeed form a deer antler shape. Mine was not shaped and was left to grow freely on the windowsill, resulting in an unattractive shape.
Propagating Deer Antler Cactus is relatively easy. Simply cut off a stem segment or fruit and plant it. The young stem segments are prone to falling off and root easily for propagation.
The above () introduces the experience and knowledge of caring for the Deer Antler Cactus. I hope this article can bring you some help!