How to Grow Cactus Ball in Water: A Detailed Guide to the Latest Method
The cactus ball is a plant whose stem, leaves and flowers all have high ornamental value; a hydroponic cactus ball is even more of an artistic treasure, it has the ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation, and is also a natural air freshener. Placing a pot of hydroponic cactus ball beside your computer not only has good ornamental value, but can also play a positive role in your health. Below let us take a look together at the hydroponic cultivation method for the cactus ball!
Can the cactus ball be grown hydroponically?
The cactus ball can be grown hydroponically. In a broad sense, a hydroponic cactus ball is a plant that originally grew in soil, cultivated through hydroponic techniques, and then grown in a nutrient solution. The so-called “water” actually refers to the hydroponic nutrient solution; because the density of the nutrient solution differs, it looks similar to water. A hydroponic cactus ball is a soil-grown cactus ball that has been cultivated and then transformed into a hydroponic cactus ball.
Hydroponic cultivation method for the cactus ball
1. Choose a cactus ball with a robust body, that is, a plant whose lower rhizome part protrudes downward, a cactus ball grafted and cultivated with a three-ribbed sword.
2. Cut off the original dead roots under the cactus ball body, then wash clean with clear water and dry in the air. After carrying out induced mutation on the cactus ball to remove the soil-grown roots, place it into an ammonia-free formula nutrient solution with a water level that must not exceed 1/3 of the whole bottle.
3. Buy two magnets with a diameter of 6 to 10 cm and place them into the vessel, the purpose being to magnetize the nutrient solution, thereby speeding up the growth of water roots.
4. Place the well-planted cactus ball in an environment with relatively strong scattered light, keeping the temperature above 20 degrees; generally water roots emerge in 3 to 7 days. After water roots appear, replace the nutrient solution immediately. During the induced mutation process of the cactus ball, it is strictly forbidden to spray water on the ball body, as it easily causes the ball body to rot and die.
Daily care for hydroponic cactus balls
1. Keep the temperature of the cultivation environment at 5 to 30 degrees C; this temperature range suits the growth of hydroponic plants and likewise suits the hydroponic cactus ball.
2. Ensure that the hydroponic cactus ball has sufficient light time; it does not necessarily have to be exposed to the sun, and in summer direct sunlight should be avoided as much as possible.
3. Hydroponic cactus balls need regular water changes and root cleaning: in summer change the water about once every 7 days, and in winter about once every 10 to 15 days. After changing the water, just add a few drops of special nutrient solution for hydroponic cactus balls. Regularly wash away the mucus on the roots of the cactus ball with clear water, and cut off old roots and rotten roots, then clean the vessel. At each water change, the water level should preferably submerge 1/2 to 2/3 of the root system, with the remaining root sections left exposed to the air.
4. To prevent the leaves from drying out and withering, during daily care, spray the leaf surface with clear water to keep it moist; it is best to spray foliar fertilizer once a week, which can both provide nutrition to the leaves and increase their gloss, and in winter can also achieve the purpose of resisting low temperatures.
Note: For cactus balls that have already taken shape and reached an ornamental effect, clear water can be used for induced mutation, because the cultivation goal is to maintain the original shape. Gravel and perlite can only serve as the medium inside the planting cup to fix the plant or hold the rhizome, while the induced mutation of water roots and aerenchyma must be carried out in a water environment.