How to grow a cactus so it grows fast? Latest care methods shared

The cactus (ball cactus) is a common type of houseplant. With proper care it not only grows fast, but also has a bright, glossy body and blooms profusely. Keeping one pot of cactus indoors can supplement oxygen, help with sleep, and even absorb dust. Let's take a look below at how to grow a cactus so it grows fast!

Growth habits of the cactus

The cactus is native to South America and generally grows in hot, dry, fertile soil, in desert areas with little rain. It likes dry conditions and is drought-tolerant, with strong vitality, and is deeply loved by everyone. The main growing season of the cactus is summer, which is also its peak flowering period.

How to grow a cactus so it grows fast

1. Temperature: The cactus likes high temperatures and a dry environment. In winter, the room temperature during the day should be kept above 20°C, and the nighttime temperature should not be lower than 5°C. Too low a temperature easily causes root rot. In winter in the north, where temperatures are low, watering should be stopped and the plant placed indoors above 5°C.

2. Light: The cactus requires plenty of sunlight, but in summer it must not be exposed to strong direct sun and needs appropriate shading. For indoor cultivation, lamp light can be used to make it grow robustly.

3. Potting soil: The soil for potted cacti must be sandy soil (or sandy loam) that drains well, has good air permeability and contains calcareous material. It can be mixed from 2 parts sandy loam and 2 parts leaf mold, 3 parts coarse sand, plus 1 part limestone gravel or old lime wall debris discarded when old buildings are demolished. It can also be mixed from 2 parts loam and 2 parts coarse sand, with 1 part each of crushed brick, leaf mold and old lime wall debris. When planting, a small amount of crushed brick and tile pieces should be placed at the bottom of the pot to ensure smooth drainage.

4. Planting: Planting and potting up is best done in early spring. The flower pot should not be too large; it is best if it can hold the body with just a little gap. If the pot is too large, after watering thoroughly the plant cannot absorb it, air cannot circulate in the pot, and the roots easily rot. A few taproot types, as well as Lophophora and giant cactus balls, require deeper cylindrical pots. Types with shallower root systems, such as Mammillaria and offset-producing cacti, can use shallower ordinary flower pots.

5. Repotting method: For potted cacti and succulents, it is best to use highly breathable clay pots, with crushed brick particles placed at the bottom as a drainage layer. Cacti have relatively small root clusters, so the pot should not be too large; the pot diameter should be close to the diameter of the plant body for a beautiful and harmonious look. When repotting, part of the old roots should be cut off, and after drying for 4—5 days they can be potted up again. Planting should not be too deep; it is best if the root neck of the body is level with the soil surface. To avoid causing root rot, newly planted cacti should not be watered; just mist them 2—3 times a day, and after half a month a small amount of water can be given. Only after new roots grow out one month later can watering be gradually increased.

6. Watering: In summer, the best time to water is early morning; in winter it should be done in the morning on a sunny day; in spring and autumn, either morning or evening is fine. Under normal circumstances, do not pour water from the top, otherwise over time the body will develop unsightly spots. Generally, watering must be thorough, and for this reason the soil must be loosened frequently so that the potting soil can evenly absorb enough water.

Notes on growing cacti

1. Home cultivation of cacti generally uses pots. For the growing soil, use 6 parts humus soil, plus 4 parts sand and 2 parts rice husk ash. If a little bone meal is added, even better. Mix well and it is ready for planting.

2. In spring and summer, when the cactus begins to grow, apply fertilizer once every half month, preferably a mixed fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In addition, provide appropriate shade and never expose it to scorching sun.

3. In winter, move the potted cactus indoors; a room temperature above 5°C is enough for it to overwinter safely. At this time, a home-potted cactus can be placed in an indoor glass tank to keep warm through the winter, or wrapped in a double-layer plastic bag to keep warm through the winter. In winter, the cactus is in its dormant period, and the potting soil should be relatively dry, otherwise the roots easily rot.

4. Cacti are not suited to too much water, 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. Place it at home somewhere out of the reach of young children.