What Soil Is Best for Growing Cacti? Five Ways to Solve the Yellowing Problem

Cactus, also known as torch cactus and tree cactus, is a succulent plant that resists ultraviolet rays and purifies the air. Because it is easy to grow and highly resilient, it is widely cultivated. To grow cacti well, you need to choose the right soil, so what soil is best for growing cacti? What is going on when they turn yellow?

1. Introduction to Cacti:

1. What types of cacti are there?

Prickly pear types, segment-type cacti, crab claw cacti, leaf-type forest cacti, globe-type cacti, climbing cacti, and edible cacti.

2. What is the flower language of the cactus?

Strength, warmth, resolute love, tough on the outside but soft on the inside.

2. What Soil Is Best for Growing Cacti?

Cacti like to grow in loose soil with good drainage and good aeration, in a neutral or slightly alkaline environment, so when choosing soil, try to choose slightly alkaline sandy soil for planting. For example, the following types of soil are good choices:

1. Coarse sand: Coarse sand has the best aeration and drainage, and it contains trace elements such as magnesium and iron, which can provide magnesium and iron for cacti.

2. Plant ash: Plant ash has good aeration and is rich in elements such as potassium and phosphorus, while also effectively inhibiting bacterial growth.

3. Coal ash: Coal ash is alkaline, has good aeration and good water retention, and contains potassium, so an appropriate amount can be added when planting.

4. Vermiculite: Vermiculite is a kind of stone granule similar to coarse sand. It has very good aeration and is sterile. It is generally used for hydroponic flowers.

5. Akadama soil: Akadama soil is a kind of soil formed by accumulated volcanic ash. This soil not only has good aeration but is also rich in potassium and phosphorus.

6. Volcanic rock: Volcanic rock is a kind of stone formed from minerals, volcanic glass, and bubbles after a volcanic eruption. It has good drainage and aeration and can effectively sterilize.

In addition to the types of soil above, you can also choose leaf mold, forest soil, loam, akadama soil, and others mixed together. This not only has good aeration but is also rich in nutrients.

3. What Is Going On When Cacti Turn Yellow?

Reason 1: Too much or too little watering. Cacti are drought-tolerant, and generally a small amount of water is enough for healthy growth. If watered too much, the potting soil becomes too wet, causing the cactus to suffer from extreme oxygen deprivation and develop yellowing. Of course, this does not mean no watering is needed. For example, in dry seasons, water appropriately. If you do not water, the cactus will turn yellow.

Solution: Remove the plant, place it in a cool place for one or two days, and then replant it in the pot. During this period, stop watering and fertilizing so that the soil aeration improves. If it is the dry season, water a little every day, just enough to keep the soil moist.

Reason 2: Too much fertilizer. Cacti do not have high fertilizer requirements. Generally, applying an appropriate amount of decomposed organic fertilizer during the vigorous growth period is enough, but do not apply too much, to avoid yellowing.

Solution: Stop fertilizing immediately, water some, then pour this water out, then water again, and repeat several times to reduce the fertilizer in the soil.

Reason 3: Soil is too alkaline or too acidic. Cacti like to grow in slightly alkaline or neutral soil. If the soil is too alkaline or too acidic, the plant will turn yellow.

Solution: Promptly water with alum fertilizer water to reduce the alkalinity of the soil, or apply alkaline solutions such as calcium magnesium phosphate to reduce the acidity of the soil.

Reason 4: Light is too strong or shade is excessive. Cacti like light but cannot tolerate strong light. If placed in the sun for exposure or kept in a cool place for a long time, the plant will turn yellow.

Solution: If it has been exposed to light for a long time, place it in a cool place. If it has been kept in shade for a long time, move it to a place with scattered light.

Reason 5: Pests and diseases occur. During the growth period, cacti can develop leaf spot disease, causing the leaves to wither or turn yellow.

Solution: Cut off the diseased part and spray thiophanate or kasugamycin medicine for control.

The above is a detailed introduction to the soil suitable for cacti and the solutions to yellowing. I hope it helps everyone.