The Latest Guide to Growing Ball Cacti: Methods and Precautions

The ball cactus is a plant with high ornamental value in its spherical stems, spines and flowers. Also known as the grass ball, Changshengwan, short-haired ball and so on, it is a general term for cactus family plants with a spherical shape. Its native habitat is mostly desert regions, and it likes high temperatures and arid climates. Its stem is spherical or oval, and it generally blooms in the early morning or evening, with flowers growing among the spines of the vertical ribs. Now let us take a look at the growing methods and precautions for ball cacti!

Growth Habits of the Ball Cactus

1. Water: The ball cactus is drought-tolerant. It should be watered appropriately during the growing season, and kept slightly dry during the dormant period.

2. Fertilizer: The ball cactus likes fertilizer. During the growing period, apply liquid fertilizer once every 10-15 days, and stop during the dormant period.

3. Soil: The ball cactus is best grown in fertile, well-drained and airy sandy loam containing lime.

4. Temperature: The ball cactus likes warmth. Too high a temperature will force it into "dormancy". It can also tolerate low temperatures of around 0°C.

5. Light: The ball cactus likes sunlight. In midsummer it should be properly shaded, but excessive shading will cause it not to bloom.

Propagation Methods of the Ball Cactus

1. Offsets: Carry out from April to September. Cut the offsets from the mother plant and let them dry for 2-3 days, or dip the cut surface in plant ash, then insert them into a pot or a tray of moist sand. No watering is needed; just spray lightly with water. When separating the offsets, do not pull them off by hand. It is best to cut them from the base of the small ball with a small knife or scissors, to avoid pulling out the pith. Many offsets have already rooted on the mother plant. After cutting and planting, keep them indoors at around 20°C, or provide proper shade if outdoors, and after 1 month a new plant can form.

2. Grafting: Carry out from May to July during vigorous growth. Use grass ball cacti, three-ribbed cacti, columnar cacti or vine-like cacti as rootstock. The rootstock should be thicker than the scion. First use a small knife to cut the top of the rootstock flat, then cut the lower part of the scion flat, then align the center of the offset with the central pith of the rootstock so that they press tightly together, then tie and fix them with string together with the pot, and place them indoors in a ventilated spot or outdoors in a shaded spot for care.

3. Sowing: The ball cactus has poor self-pollination ability, so artificial pollination is needed for it to set seed. Seeds have a lifespan of 1-2 years and need high temperatures to germinate, so sowing should be carried out in June to July. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water for 2-3 days. The potting soil or sand bed should mainly be loose loam. Sow at a depth such that the seeds cannot be seen, keeping a spacing of 2-3 cm between seeds. Water by the method of soaking water up from the bottom of the pot, then cover with white paper or glass, let the seedlings receive sufficient light, and do not apply fertilizer.

Growing Methods for the Ball Cactus

1. Soil: For potted ball cacti, mix 3 parts leaf mold, 3 parts garden soil and 3 parts coarse sand, then add 1 part plant ash and decomposed bone meal and mix evenly. It is best to repot in early spring. First place a layer of small stones about 3 cm thick at the bottom of the pot to aid drainage. Plant at a depth such that the root crown of the ball is level with the soil surface.

2. Light: The ball cactus likes a sunny environment, but harsh exposure can slow its growth rate. Of course, it will not be sunburned to death. If you want the ball cactus to grow faster, it is best to find a cool, shaded environment for it when the sunlight is too strong.

3. Watering: The vast majority of ball cacti originate from the hot, arid desert wilderness regions of South and North America. Their root systems have strong water-absorbing ability. If watered too much, the roots will rot. Some large ball cacti will not die of dryness even if not watered for one or two years.

4. Temperature: The optimal growing temperature for the ball cactus is 20-35°C. Most species like a large day-night temperature difference. Conditions of within 35°C during the day and around 15°C at night are favorable for the production and accumulation of organic matter, thereby promoting vigorous plant growth.

5. Fertilizing: The ball cactus likes fertilizer and tolerates it. Start topdressing 1 month after repotting in spring. During the growing season, apply decomposed 10-times diluted liquid fertilizer mixed with an equal amount of 1000-times potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution or 1000-times “Huaduoduo” general fertilizer once every 20 days or so. Do not fertilize in winter.

6. Repotting: When repotting the ball cactus, cut off some of the old roots, let it dry for 4-5 days, then plant it in a pot. Do not plant it too deep; it is best to keep the root crown of the ball level with the soil surface. To avoid root rot, do not water newly planted ball cacti; just spray 2-3 times a day.

7. Pests and Diseases: In a high-temperature, poorly ventilated environment, the ball cactus is prone to pests and diseases. For diseases, spray carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl. For pests, spray dimethoate to kill them, but no matter which liquid medicine is sprayed, it must be done outdoors.

Precautions for the Ball Cactus

1. During the growing process of the ball cactus, attention should be paid to factors such as its water requirement, light intensity and fertilizer. Once handled improperly, it may not survive.

2. In spring and summer, the ball cactus begins to grow. Apply fertilizer once every half month, preferably a mixed fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In addition, provide proper shade and do not expose it to the scorching sun.

3. In winter, move the potted ball cactus indoors. It can overwinter safely at a room temperature above 5°C. The potting soil should be relatively dry, otherwise the roots are prone to rot.

4. Cacti are not suited to too much watering, otherwise the roots will rot. In spring and summer, it is best to water once every one to two months; in autumn and winter, once every two to three months is enough.

5. The ball cactus likes sunlight and is not afraid of dryness. Be sure to water thoroughly when watering.

6. Repotting the ball cactus should be done in spring. A newly repotted ball cactus should not be watered immediately; it should be watered only after 1 week.