How to care for a cactus ball
This article provides you with the related content about the cactus ball, how to care for it, as follows:
The cactus ball is one of the most famous species of the cactus family and is pursued by many plant lovers. However, some新手 plant lovers don't know how to care for it. Here is a relatively comprehensive guide on how to plant a cactus ball for reference by plant lovers.
I. Habits of the cactus ball:
The native habitat of the cactus ball is in the eastern part of Mexico, which is very hot and humid during the rainy season. The cactus ball often grows under the low and shady bushes, with good water retention in the soil, and the ball is 2/3 buried in the soil, with straight roots.
II. Soil for the cactus ball:
The most difficult part of planting wild plants in pots is the soil mixture. It is very important to choose soil that retains water without becoming too moist and has good drainage. In terms of water retention, a mixture of akadama soil is excellent, as it can produce thick, vertical roots. Soil with sand as the main ingredient produces finer roots. Additionally, to ensure drainage, the soil should be sieved to remove fine particles. This solves the problem of root rot caused by excessive watering, but it also leads to the issue of the soil drying out quickly, which can only be resolved by adjusting the watering rhythm.
III. Pots for the cactus ball:
From an aesthetic standpoint, using ceramic pots is无可厚非. However, from a cultivation perspective, it is recommended to use black plastic orchid pots, as they are not well-ventilated, but there is no problem with the above soil mixture. In terms of pot warming, there is nothing better than a plastic pot. This is not limited to cactus balls; the root growth of all cacti plants depends on the rise in ground temperature. Keeping the pot warm is an important task, and in this regard, black plastic pots are ideal. Also, keep a distance between pots and do not forget to provide them with plenty of sunlight.
IV. Watering the cactus ball:
The cactus ball loves water and it's better to keep the soil moist. During the growing season from April to October, water from the top every 3 days (note: this refers to a full-day sunlight greenhouse environment, do not copy), and during the dormant period in winter, water once every 2 weeks (also referring to a greenhouse environment).完全断水 is not good for the cactus ball physiologically and is the cause of waist cracks. Abundant sunlight and strong roots enable the cactus ball to survive the cold winter.
V. Shading for the cactus ball:
Provide the best sunlight for the cactus ball, although it can tolerate quite strong light, it originally prefers soft sunlight. Use 50% shading in the summer and adjust according to your own environment by observing the color of the cactus ball.
VI. Root pruning and pot changing for the cactus ball:
For pots below medium size, the soil should be changed every year, while for larger pots, it can be changed every 2 years.
The method is to place fermented chicken manure as a bottom fertilizer on the coarse soil at the bottom of the pot, and cover the surface of the pot with coarse soil to prevent the lower soil mixture from washing away during watering. Plant a little deeper to increase the weight sensation. From experience, changing the pot between mid-April and July will not fail. The roots of the cactus ball start to grow at around 40°C (about 15°C at night), which is not reached in March. Some cactus balls start to bloom in late February, and if they are repotted with other cacti in early spring, the roots may rot due to low temperatures and excessive humidity, which often leads to failure. The reason for mentioning July is to allow the roots to grow completely by winter to prevent the fatal waist crack from occurring. Once the crack occurs, although it may recover in the spring, it will happen year after year and cannot be completely cured.
The method of pruning roots is to shake off the soil from the roots, remove the fine roots by hand, and cut off the thick roots at the bottom of the ball 2-3 cm with a razor blade. Let it dry for a week before planting. When pruning roots, make sure there is no red rot on the root cross-section and cut off any affected parts.
In addition to the above methods, there is another method that completely removes the roots from the base of the cactus ball. In mid-February, remove the cactus ball from the soil, completely cut off the roots, let it dry indoors, and plant it by mid-March. This method can reduce rot in the cactus ball but requires a greenhouse and the ability to control temperature.
Also, without cutting the thick roots, shaking off the soil and planting after drying for one day is also possible. There are various methods, each with its pros and cons, and there is no unified standard, so you can refer to and implement them as you see fit.
The above-sharing of green plant and flower care experiences for the cactus ball, hoping to bring you help in your life!