If a cactus (ball cactus) rots, cut it once and grow it in water, and it will grow a whole bottle of big white roots

How do you grow a ball cactus in water?

1. Choose the ball

A ball cactus with root rot or a robustly growing ball cactus can both be used for water culture. It is best if the root stem protrudes downward, as it will root easily!

2. Treat the roots

Dig out the ball, cut off the rotten part, make the cut smooth, rinse it clean with clear water, then apply carbendazim to disinfect it, and then place it in a ventilated place to dry for at least 3 days until it is completely dry!

Suggestion: you can dry it for a few more days. The more water it lacks, the faster it will root!

3. Planting

Choose a water culture bottle of suitable size, add water and nutrient solution, and fix the ball cactus on the planting basket or foam board. The nutrient solution level should be 1~2cm away from the ball and must not touch the ball, so as to avoid the ball rotting!

Note: add 1g of nutrient solution per liter of water. Do not use plain water for water culture; after a long time the nutrients will be exhausted and the ball will die.

4. Rooting

Place the planted ball cactus in a place with bright, indirect light. If the water culture bottle is transparent, during the rooting period put a black plastic bag over the bottle, so that the ball is exposed to light and the bottle is shaded. After 3~7 days it will root.

5. Care

During the rooting period, it is strictly forbidden to spray water on the ball. After rooting, immediately replace the nutrient solution. When the roots grow longer, lower the water level so that the ball is about 3cm away from the water surface, keeping the ball dry and avoiding ball rot.

6. Changing the water

In summer and autumn, it is recommended to change the water every 5~7 days. Each time after adding the nutrient solution, gently shake 10 times to increase the dissolved oxygen content!

7. If you add a nutrient solution shared by flowers and fish, you can raise fish at the same time~

Why can ball cacti be grown in water?

Characteristics of the ball cactus

As a desert plant, the ball cactus is extremely drought-tolerant and not tolerant of moisture, and it has very high requirements for the drainage and air permeability of the potting soil.

Why does soil culture easily cause root rot?

Plant roots need oxygen for respiration and for absorbing water and mineral nutrients. Moist soil has extremely low oxygen content, so the ball cactus easily suffocates, causing root rot and a shriveled, withered ball.

Why can ball cacti be grown in water?

Some people ask, if there is not enough oxygen in soil culture, is the oxygen content in water culture not even lower, so why can it still be grown in water?

Wrong. Water culture does not mean soaking the entire root system directly in water. Rather, the white tips at the lower end of the roots are in the water, while the rest of the roots are exposed to the air, which can ensure sufficient oxygen absorption.

Other plants, such as pothos and spider plants, can adapt to the moist, low-oxygen environment in soil, so they can also be grown directly in water, and their oxygen requirements are not so strict.