Grow cactus pups round and plump until they burst the pot - you can do it too

Cactus

 Cactus

Ji Yanlin 

00:00/03:38

The cactus's homeland is in South America, native to hot, dry, rain-scarce desert regions, which shaped its drought-loving, drought-tolerant characteristics. Cacti are afraid of cold and like to grow in well-drained sandy soil. Summer is the cactus's growing season and also its peak flowering period.

The cactus is round and plump. Although it has spines on its body, that doesn't hinder people's affection for it at all, and a well-cared-for cactus can even bloom! Today Hua Yipai will tell everyone how to grow cacti!

1

Potting soil

Potted cacti require soil that drains well, has good air permeability, and contains calcareous sand (or sandy loam). You can mix 2 parts loam, 2 parts leaf mold, 3 parts coarse sand, plus 1 part limestone gravel or old lime wall debris discarded from demolished old buildings; you can also mix 2 parts loam, 2 parts coarse sand, 1 part crushed brick, 1 part leaf mold, and 1 part old lime wall debris. When planting, place a small amount of crushed brick and tile pieces at the bottom of the pot to ensure smooth drainage.

2

Planting

It is best to plant and pot up in early spring. The flower pot should not be too large - just big enough to hold the ball with a little gap around it. If the pot is too large, the water cannot be absorbed after thorough watering, air cannot circulate inside the pot, and the roots are prone to rot. A few taproot-type species and those such as Lophophora williamsii and giant cactus require deeper cylindrical pots. Shallow-rooted types such as Mammillaria and Rebutia can use shallower ordinary flower pots.

3

Watering

Summer is the cactus's growing season; temperatures are high and water demand is great. You must water thoroughly, and it is best to do so in the early morning or evening when temperatures are low - at noon when it is hot, watering can easily cause sunburn on the ball. During the hot plum rain season, watering should also be appropriately restricted. For cacti with a sunken top, be careful not to let water get into the depression, as this can cause rot - pay even more attention when watering in the evening.

During winter dormancy, watering should be restricted, just enough to keep the potting soil from becoming excessively dry. The lower the temperature, the drier the potting soil should be kept. Mature large balls are more drought-tolerant than small seedlings. Winter watering should be done on a sunny morning. As temperatures rise, the plant will gradually come out of dormancy, and only then can the frequency and amount of watering be gradually increased.

4

Fertilizing

Potted cacti can also be appropriately fertilized during the growing season, especially those grafted onto Hylocereus undatus (three-ribbed arrow), which should be fertilized even more attentively. Use fully decomposed dilute liquid fertilizer, applying once every 10-15 days. After autumn begins, control fertilizer and water - generally once a month is enough, and stop fertilizing in early October. If fertilizer is not controlled and the cactus is allowed to keep growing, the tender ball is prone to cold damage when overwintering. When fertilizing, be careful not to get it on the ball; if any gets on, rinse it off with water promptly.

5

Pest and disease control

In high-temperature, poorly ventilated environments, pests and diseases easily occur. For diseases, spray carbendazim or thiophanate; for pests, spray dimethoate to kill them. No matter which solution you spray, it must be done outdoors.

How to grow cacti in water?

1. Choose a robust cactus, at least bigger than a fist.

2. Cut off the original roots from the bottom of the small cactus ball, using scissors or a blade - choose a sharp one. Then rinse the soil clinging to the root-stem area clean with water, and let it dry in a dry place for 3 days so the cut is completely dry. For inducing roots in cacti, removing the original small roots is necessary.

3. Find a water-holding container, prop up the cactus with a support plate, and let the lower part of the cactus touch the water surface a little; after some time, roots will gradually grow out. Before roots grow, do not sprinkle water on the ball surface - just keep the soil moist.

4. After just planting, avoid direct sunlight: excessive temperature will consume too much water, and at this time the cactus has not yet grown roots, so it can only dry out its own internal water - therefore a newly planted cactus, if not protected well, will soften and wilt, and the spines may also fall off.

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