How to cultivate a cactus to grow quickly
Let me share some content about the succulent plant cactus. How to cultivate a cactus to grow quickly, let's take a look together!
The growth rate of plants is not only controlled by their internal factors such as the regulation of growth hormones but is also related to external environmental factors. I am not aware of how to use exogenous hormones to regulate the internal factors of plants to promote growth. Here, I mainly discuss how to improve the external environmental factors for cultivation under the premise of a healthy plant to promote the growth of a cactus or succulent plant. The environmental factors that affect potted plants generally include: soil (including water, fertilizer), pots, air (including humidity, CO2 content), temperature, and light. The environmental factors affecting potted cacti and succulent plants are no exception.
According to the research report summarized by the famous American desert botany professor PS. Nobel in "cacti: biology & uses," the dry matter accumulation rate of CAM cycle plants such as cacti and succulents is related to the following environmental factors.
Firstly, the daily accumulation of dry matter in CAM plants is positively correlated with the amount of photons available for photosynthesis through the plant surface (light flux). The more light the plant receives, the greater the daily accumulation of dry matter. However, the author also mentions that the light intensity should be above the compensation point; strong light exceeding the saturation point will not increase the light flux.
Secondly, the daily accumulation of dry matter in CAM plants is positively correlated with the moisture content in the root zone of the medium to some extent (water potential). When CAM plants can absorb water, their epidermal stomata will open completely, promoting CO2 absorption. As the soil gradually dries, the opening of the stomata will also decrease accordingly, affecting CO2 intake and thus reducing the accumulation of dry matter.
Thirdly, the daily accumulation of dry matter in CAM plants is positively correlated with the content of N fertilizer in the soil within a certain range. The author conducted a fertilization tracking study on fruit cacti and agave plants in South America and found that as the nitrogen fertilizer in the soil increased, the accumulation of dry matter also increased. However, after reaching a certain concentration, this promotion becomes negligible.
Fourthly, day-night temperature difference. Within the growth temperature range of CAM plants, the greater the day-night temperature difference, the greater the accumulation of dry matter. This is the same as with common plants, as the respiratory consumption of assimilates is much less at low temperatures than at high temperatures.
Fifthly, the daily accumulation of dry matter in CAM plants is also related to the CO2 concentration in the air. The author and their students proposed in another paper that when the CO2 in the air doubles, the accumulation of dry matter in CAM plants is about 1.7 times the original amount.
Sixth, the accumulation of dry matter in CAM plants is positively correlated with the air humidity at night. Because CAM plants perform gas exchange at night, and the higher the air humidity, the greater the opening of the epidermal stomata, thus increasing CO2 intake and improving the accumulation of dry matter.
Based on the above research results (the professor's research should not be a problem), how should we cultivate our potted cacti and succulent plants to grow the fastest? I have summarized the following points for your reference!
1. Light. Try to place the cactus in a place with long daylight hours, not the brightest place. Supplementing light for the plant should extend the duration of light exposure, not increase light intensity because the light is weak.
2. Watering. Maintain sufficient moisture in the potting soil, especially for epiphytic cacti, which need the soil to be moist for an extended period. As they grow on dead leaves or branches, as soon as the roots detect a water threat, they immediately close gas exchange, thus reducing growth. Most desert cacti and succulent plants can still perform normal gas exchange a week after drought, so watering can be done once a week.
3. Fertilizing. Most cactus and succulent plant cultivation books on the market say to apply little or no N fertilizer, which is not comprehensive. Appropriate application of nitrogen fertilizer is necessary, otherwise the plant will grow slowly or even stop growing. When fertilizing, a portion of organic fertilizer should be used because organic fertilizer releases CO2 during decomposition, promoting plant growth.
4. Air humidity. Increase the air humidity at night and reduce it during the day. High air humidity at night is beneficial for CAM plants like cacti to absorb CO2. For those cultivating outdoors, water should be sprayed appropriately at night. High air humidity during the day will reduce the plant's transpiration, increase moisture content, and cause the plant to appear bloated.
5. Temperature difference. Unless placed in a greenhouse or air-conditioned room, it is difficult for us to change the temperature difference. Don't worry too much about this.
6. Pots. Use pots with good ventilation as much as possible, such as purple sand pots or ceramic pots. If using plastic pots, cultivate with a larger particle-sized medium. Because some studies have shown that when plants are grown in pots, the first set of leaves is smaller than those in the field. Therefore, it is hoped that ventilation can improve this issue.
The above summary coincides with a post on a forum of the British Cactus Society, and I hope it is useful to you.
The content introduced above () about how to cultivate a cactus to grow quickly can be referenced by green plant enthusiasts.