How to Grow the Pencil Cactus: Cultivation Methods and Precautions

The pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) is a tree introduced and cultivated from abroad, and it can now be seen in many places in our country. Because of its high ornamental value, the pencil cactus attracts many people to grow it. Before growing it, however, you surely still need to have a comprehensive understanding of its cultivation techniques, so as to ensure its growth.

How to Grow the Pencil Cactus

1. Suitable temperature: The pencil cactus likes warmth and tolerates drought, salt and wind, and likes light. Its general growing temperature is around 25-30°C.

2. Suitable soil: Soil with good drainage is more suitable, because the pencil cactus itself tolerates drought.

3. Suitable humidity: The pencil cactus tolerates drought, salt and wind. Humidity should not be too high; drier conditions are better.

4. Suitable light: The pencil cactus likes light and is suitable for being placed in the open air, but it should be protected from scorching sun.

Pencil Cactus Cultivation Methods and Precautions

I. Cultivation methods:

1. Soil: To plant the pencil cactus, choose soil with relatively strong drainage. You can mix leaf mold and garden soil in a 2:1 ratio, and add a small amount of river sand to make the growing medium. A little long-acting fertilizer such as hoof pieces can be placed at the bottom. To enhance drainage, you can also lay a layer of crushed stone and tiles at the bottom of the pot.

2. Light: As already mentioned when introducing its growth habits, the pencil cactus is a plant that greatly enjoys sunlight. It can be placed in a sunny environment all year round, but it should be protected from scorching sun.

3. Watering: The pencil cactus is a succulent and is very drought-tolerant, so it does not need too much water. Normally, do not water it too much; water only when dry, and remember to water only after the soil has dried completely. In the hot summer season, beware of heavy watering after scorching sun, as this will cause leaf drop. When the summer temperature reaches above 30°C, the plant is in a dormant or semi-dormant state, and watering should be controlled.

4. Fertilizing: The pencil cactus enters its dormant period in winter, and fertilizing should be stopped. If the temperature is relatively low, fertilizing can easily cause root rot. During the growing season, apply a thin liquid fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium once every 7-10 days, and be sure not to make it too concentrated.

II. Precautions:

Although the pencil cactus has no green leaves, its branches contain a large amount of chlorophyll, which can replace the leaves in photosynthesis. In the warm regions of the south, the pencil cactus can be planted in the open air, but in the north it needs to be cultivated in a greenhouse.

How to Prune the Pencil Cactus

For pruning, you can first observe the roots. Some old, rotting or weak roots can be appropriately cut off. Then look at how dense the root system is; if it is still very dense, you can trim and tidy it yourself. Next, observe the above-ground stems and branches. You can first cut off diseased branches, weak branches and damaged branches, and then observe from an overall perspective which areas need adjusting. In addition, some of the better stems and branches that are cut off can be used for cuttings, so you can grow a new pot of pencil cactus. But when pruning, you must absolutely prevent the sap from splashing onto your face; this is the most important point.

Pencil Cactus Pests and Diseases and Their Control

1. The main diseases of the pencil cactus are anthracnose and leaf spot. Control method: Because diseases are caused by fungal infection, the most important method when treating pencil cactus diseases is sterilization. When the pencil cactus you grow develops a disease, first promptly clear away the fallen branches and leaves caused by the infection to prevent the spread of the pathogen, and then use a sterilizing solution such as carbendazim for spraying. To prevent diseases in the pencil cactus, drainage should be done well during the rainy season and sufficient sunlight should be provided.

2. The pencil cactus has relatively few pests; the pest that generally occurs on the pencil cactus is scale insects. Control method: When scale insects appear on the pencil cactus, you can use the natural enemies of scale insects to deal with them. You can rear some insects such as ladybugs and square-headed beetles; these insects prey on scale insects and can reduce the harm they cause to the pencil cactus. You can also use pesticides to spray the pencil cactus to kill the scale insects.

The cultivation methods for the pencil cactus are actually not difficult; generally, you start with aspects such as temperature, soil and light. Although the pencil cactus likes light, high-temperature scorching sun is not allowed, so shading should be done well in summer. During cultivation, pest and disease control needs to be strengthened, and timely pruning is also very important.