What are the planting precautions for Ariocarpus retusus?
Use a taller pot
The roots of Ariocarpus retusus are very thick and fleshy, so it is best to use a relatively deep pot when planting, and it is best to change the pot once a year to enhance the growth of Ariocarpus retusus.
Air humidity
The growing environment of Ariocarpus retusus should maintain air circulation and a certain level of air humidity.
Ariocarpus retusus grows very slowly, so everyone needs to pay attention to many things and be extra careful when caring for it. You must read the two precautions mentioned above carefully, so that you can grow beautiful Ariocarpus retusus!
How to grow Ariocarpus retusus
Flower Bonsai Network Flower Care column: How to grow Ariocarpus retusus will introduce to you the cultivation methods of Ariocarpus retusus, what is good for Ariocarpus retusus, and pest and disease control of Ariocarpus retusus
(1) Overview of Ariocarpus retusus
Ariocarpus retusus is a plant in the cactus family, genus Ariocarpus. The spherical stem is solitary or clustered, growing in a cushion-like form, with a single globe 10-15 cm in diameter, flat at the top, and covered with dense white or yellowish-white wool. The epidermis has thick and hard triangular tubercles, with the surface ranging from grayish-green to brownish-green, cracked into irregular grooves, with a longitudinal groove in the very middle extending all the way to the belly of the tubercle, and bearing short woolly hairs. Flowers are terminal, bell-shaped, pink, 3.5 cm long, often several blooming at the same time. It is mainly distributed in Texas, USA, and Mexico.
(2) Key cultivation points of Ariocarpus retusus
Temperature: It likes warmth and can tolerate low temperatures of 5°C.
Light: It likes ample but soft sunlight, needs appropriate shading in summer, and should be placed in a bright indoor spot in winter.
Water: Water thoroughly during the growing season, but avoid continuous water accumulation in the pot.
Air humidity: The cultivation site requires air circulation and a certain level of air humidity.
Fertilization: Apply a compound liquid fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium once every 15 days or so.
Propagation: Can be propagated by sowing seeds or by removing offsets for grafting.
How to trim the roots and grow Ariocarpus retusus? Care methods for Ariocarpus retusus
Ariocarpus retusus is a plant in the cactus family, genus Ariocarpus, and is a rare and endangered species (because of its rarity, large numbers of wild Ariocarpus retusus (commonly called wild turtles) are dug up and sold, which is actually prohibited by law). Its appearance is peculiar, much like a stone carving craft, and it is known as a "living stone", blooming abundantly and gorgeously. Below, the editor will explain, starting from buying Ariocarpus retusus, how to trim its roots, grow it, and manage its care.
I. Root trimming treatment of Ariocarpus retusus
1. Choose early spring and early autumn for purchase, because supply is abundant and the range for selection is large; Ariocarpus retusus is about to enter its recovery growth stage, so the chance of dying is small; and it is relatively cheaper.
2. When selecting, give Ariocarpus retusus a physical examination. Rot, pests, and wounds (dig marks, holes) are the main checkpoints. Judge whether they will affect future growth, and at the same time judge whether it is fresh and vigorous.
3. Cleaning. After acquiring it, first clean the overall exterior of Ariocarpus retusus, mainly targeting mud and severely decayed or damaged tubercles.
4. After drying, thoroughly trim the roots of Ariocarpus retusus, doing it fast, hard, and precisely. Old wounds and rotting areas must be cleaned out completely.
5. Spray or apply fungicide. Use two or more kinds of fungicide, no need to dilute with water, just apply the powder, because the wounds formed after root trimming should avoid contact with water.
6. Let it dry in a shaded place. The time is several weeks (at least one month, so that the wounds can heal completely. If it is a case of treating rot, or if the weather is continuously rather cold, or if there are continuous rainy days, potting must be delayed further).
II. Planting in dry soil, reasons for planting in dry soil:
(1) After trimming the roots of Ariocarpus retusus, let the roots further heal completely in the small environment of the soil.
(2) Let Ariocarpus retusus adapt to the new growing medium, just like a person locked in a coal mine for several days who, after being rescued, cannot immediately open their eyes or eat right away.
Two weeks after dry planting, if all goes well, it should be more than a month and a half from the correct purchase time point. The climate at this time should have entered the growing season of Ariocarpus retusus (those bought in early spring have more or less passed the late cold spell, and those bought in early autumn have more or less passed the autumn heat). Water it, a shower is fine, and choose a sunny day for watering. After watering, place a napkin on the soil surface and put it in the sun to dry. The effect is to improve the soil's micro-environment and help with root development. After that, begin normal care.
III. Daily Care
Soil: For the soil choice for planting Ariocarpus retusus, it is recommended to use garden soil mixed directly with crushed rock, which not only enhances the drainage performance of the pot but also releases soluble calcium, which is greatly beneficial to the plant's survival.
Temperature: Ariocarpus retusus has strong adaptability to planting temperature, similar to the survivability of rocks, and can adapt to both extremes of high and low temperature. The lowest tolerable temperature is 5°C, and the highest is around 40°C.
Light: Ariocarpus retusus mainly requires soft light. Indoor incandescent light and heat do not offer much benefit. Second, it is necessary to ensure at least 8 hours of light per day, mainly determined by seasonal changes. It is recommended to place it directly in a spot with ample indoor light and use diffused light exposure for photosynthetic supplementation, while ensuring it is in a state of air circulation.
Water: Ariocarpus retusus is a cactus family plant, and watering can follow cactus care details, mainly irrigating sufficient water during the growing season. Under normal circumstances, soil moisture should be maintained at around 30%, avoiding prolonged water accumulation in the pot. Always pay attention to the moisture inside the pot, as frequent water accumulation can easily lead to root rot.
Fertilization: Ariocarpus retusus cannot obtain complete nutrition relying on water alone, and not fertilizing will cause the plant's growing environment to make it prone to wilting and other phenomena. During the growth period, apply a small amount of compound fertilizer at intervals of half a month, which can be diluted with clean water, and it is enough if it contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements.
The above is the entire growing and care process for Ariocarpus retusus. It is reported that currently in China only a small number of botanical gardens, research institutes, and other units carry out garden introduction and cultivation of Ariocarpus retusus and other Ariocarpus genus plants through normal legal channels, and there is temporarily no large-scale garden production and application, which also causes the market scarcity of this type of plant and its high market price. However, the editor wants to remind all flower lovers that a gentleman loves flowers and acquires them in a proper way. Exercising self-discipline and growing and protecting plants through legal and reasonable means, and protecting wild endangered succulents, is the duty of every succulent lover.