What soil is best for growing golden barrel cactus?

The golden barrel cactus is a type of cactus. The plant's spherical body can reach up to 1.3 m in height, and the plant grows slowly. The spherical body has ribbed grooves, and the top of the spiny ball is densely covered with golden-yellow woolly hairs. Grown in a pot, it can develop into a neat, large specimen ball. So, what soil is used to grow the golden barrel cactus?

1. What soil is used to grow the golden barrel cactus?

For the golden barrel cactus, coarse sand, garden soil, leaf mold and old wall ash can be mixed in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to make the growing soil.

2. What are the propagation methods for the golden barrel cactus?

1. Sowing method

Seeds harvested in the same year give a high germination rate. In spring or autumn, choose plump golden barrel cactus seeds (black), soak the seeds to speed up germination for two days, and then sow them into the potting soil. They sprout in about 7—10 days. When the young balls grow to 1 cm, thin the seedlings to a plant and row spacing of 5×5 cm. When they reach 4 cm, they can be planted out, one per small pot. After germination, at 30-40 days the seedling balls are already the size of a grain of rice or a mung bean, and they can be transplanted or grafted onto a rootstock to speed up growth.

2. Grafting method

This is done by grafting seedlings cultivated for more than 3 months onto tender Hylocereus undatus to speed up growth. When the scion has grown to a certain size or the rootstock can no longer support it, it can be cut off, the wound dried, and then cuttings can be taken for potting. In a good environment with fertile soil and air circulation, seedlings grown without grafting also grow quickly. After potting, the seedlings or grafted young balls should be placed in semi-shade and kept away from direct sunlight. If the ball does not shrivel after 7-10 days, it has survived.

3. Cutting method

This is the most commonly used propagation method and can be carried out all year round. First cut a mature small piece from the mother plant, place it in the shade for half a day, and then insert it as a cutting. This is the key to survival. The cutting medium should be a material with good aeration that both retains water and drains well, such as perlite, vermiculite or river sand. After insertion, do not water; just mist so that the sandy soil is slightly moist.

Growing a golden barrel cactus in a pot at home can accent a hall and make it look even more resplendent, making it an excellent choice among indoor potted plants.