A detailed guide to growing cactus in water - easy to learn at a glance
The cactus (ball cactus) has high ornamental value in its stem, leaves and flowers, and a hydroponic cactus is even more of an artistic treasure. It also has the effect of absorbing electromagnetic radiation and is a natural air purifier. Placing a pot of hydroponic cactus next to your computer not only looks good but also has a positive effect on your health. Let's take a look together at how to grow cactus in water!
Can cactus be grown in water?
Cactus can be grown in water. In a broad sense, a hydroponic cactus is a plant that originally grew in soil and, after being cultivated through hydroponic techniques, is then grown in a nutrient solution. The so-called "water" actually refers to the hydroponic nutrient solution; because the density of the nutrient solution varies, it looks similar to water. A hydroponic cactus is a soil-grown cactus that has been cultivated and then converted into a hydroponic cactus.
How to grow cactus in water
1. Choose a cactus with a robust body, that is, a plant whose lower rhizome section protrudes downward, or a cactus grafted and cultivated with a three-angled sword (trichocereus).
2. Cut off the original dead roots under the cactus body, then wash it clean with water and let it dry. After inducing the mutation of the cactus to remove the soil-grown roots, place it into an ammonia-free nutrient solution with a water level that must not exceed 1/3 of the whole bottle.
3. Buy two magnets with a diameter of 6-10 cm and put them into the container, in order to magnetize the nutrient solution and thereby speed up the growth of water roots.
4. Place the planted cactus in an environment with relatively strong scattered light, keep the temperature above 20 degrees, and generally water roots will emerge in 3-7 days. Replace the nutrient solution immediately after water roots appear. During the mutation process, it is strictly forbidden to spray water on the cactus body, as this can easily cause the body to rot and die.
Daily care for hydroponic cactus
1. Keep the temperature of the growing environment at 5-30°C. This temperature range is suitable for the growth of hydroponic plants and is likewise suitable for hydroponic cactus.
2. Make sure the hydroponic cactus gets enough light time; it does not necessarily have to be exposed to the sun, and in summer try to avoid direct sunlight.
3. Hydroponic cactus needs regular water changes and root cleaning: change the water about once every 7 days in summer and about once every 10-15 days in winter. After changing the water, just add a few drops of nutrient solution specially for hydroponic cactus. Regularly wash off the mucus from the cactus roots with clean water, cut off old roots and rotten roots, and then clean the container. Each time you change the water, the water level should preferably submerge 1/2-2/3 of the root system, and let the remaining root sections be exposed to the air.
4. To prevent the leaves from drying out, during daily care spray the leaf surface with clean water to keep it moist. It is best to spray foliar fertilizer once a week, which can both provide nutrients to the leaves and increase their gloss, and in winter can also achieve the purpose of resisting low temperatures.
Note: For cactus that has already taken shape and reached an ornamental effect, clean water can be used for the mutation, because the goal of cultivation is to maintain the original shape. Gravel and perlite can only be used as a medium inside the planting cup to fix the plant or hold the rhizome, while the mutation of water roots and aeration tissue must be carried out in a water environment.