How to grow a cactus ball? Detailed growing methods and precautions

The cactus ball is a plant with high ornamental value in its spherical stem, spines and flowers alike, also known as grass ball, Changsheng wan, short-haired wan and so on. It is a general term for cactus family plants with a spherical shape. Its native habitat is mostly desert areas, and it likes high temperatures and arid climates. Its stem is spherical or oval, and it generally blooms in the early morning or evening, with flowers growing among the spines along the vertical ribs. Let us take a look below at the growing methods and precautions for cactus balls!

Growth habits of cactus balls

1. Water: Cactus balls are tolerant of drought. They should be watered appropriately during the growing season, and kept slightly dry during the dormant period.

2. Fertilizer: Cactus balls like fertilizer. During the growing period, apply liquid fertilizer once every 10 to 15 days, and stop during the dormant period.

3. Soil: Cactus balls are suitable for growing in fertile, well-drained and aerated sandy loam soil containing lime.

4. Temperature: Cactus balls like warmth. Too high a temperature will force them into "dormancy". They can also tolerate low temperatures of around 0°C.

5. Light: Cactus balls like sunlight. In midsummer they should be properly shaded, but excessive shading will cause them not to bloom.

Propagation methods for cactus balls

1. Offsets: Carry out from April to September. Cut offsets from the mother plant and let them dry for 2 to 3 days, or dip the cut surface in plant ash, then insert them into a pot or a tray of moist sand. They do not need watering; just a slight misting of water is enough. When separating the offsets, do not pull them off by hand. It is best to cut them from the base of the small ball with a small knife or scissors to prevent pulling out the pith. Many offsets have already rooted on the mother plant. After cuttings are taken, keep them indoors at around 20°C for care; if outdoors, shade them appropriately. After 1 month, new growth will have formed.

2. Grafting: Carry out during the vigorous growing period from May to July. Use grass balls, three-ribbed columns, columnar or vine-like cacti as rootstock. The rootstock should be thicker than the scion. First cut the top of the rootstock flat with one cut of a small knife, then cut the lower part of the scion flat with one cut. Then align the center of the small ball with the central pith of the rootstock so that they press tightly together, then tie and fix them together with the pot using string, and place them indoors in a ventilated spot or outdoors in a shaded spot for care.

3. Sowing: Cactus balls have poor self-pollination ability, so artificial pollination is needed for them to set seed. Seeds have a lifespan of 1 to 2 years and need high temperatures to germinate, so sowing should be carried out in June to July. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water for 2 to 3 days. The potting soil or sand bed should be mainly loose loam, and the sowing depth should be such that the seeds are no longer visible, with a spacing of 2 to 3 cm between seeds. Water by the bottom-soaking method, cover with white paper or glass, let the seedlings receive sufficient light, and do not apply fertilizer.

Growing methods for cactus balls

1. Soil: For potted cactus balls, mix 3 parts leaf mold, 3 parts garden soil and 3 parts coarse sand, then add 1 part plant ash and 1 part decomposed bone meal and mix evenly. It is best to pot them in early spring. First place a layer of small stones about 3 cm thick at the bottom of the pot to aid drainage. The planting depth should be such that the root crown of the ball is level with the soil surface.

2. Light: Cactus balls like a sunny, ample-light environment, but scorching sun will slow their growth rate. Of course, it will not kill them. If you want the cactus ball to grow faster, it is best to find it a shady environment when the sunlight is too intense.

3. Watering: The vast majority of cactus balls originate from the hot, arid desert wilderness areas of South and North America. Their root systems have a very strong water-absorbing capacity. Too much watering will cause the roots to rot. Some large cactus balls will not die of dryness even if not watered for one or two years.

4. Temperature: The optimal growing temperature for cactus balls is 20 to 35°C. Most species like a relatively large day-night temperature difference. Conditions of within 35°C during the day and around 15°C at night are favorable for the production and accumulation of organic matter, thereby promoting vigorous growth of the plant.

5. Fertilizing: Cactus balls like fertilizer and are tolerant of it. Begin topdressing 1 month after repotting in spring. During the growing season, apply once every 20 days or so a topdressing of decomposed 10-fold liquid fertilizer mixed with an equal amount of 1000-fold potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution or 1000-fold “Huaduoduo” general-purpose fertilizer. Do not fertilize in winter.

6. Repotting: When repotting cactus balls, trim off some of the old roots and let them dry for 4 to 5 days before planting in the pot. Planting should not be too deep; it is best for the root crown of the ball to be level with the soil surface. To avoid causing root rot, do not water newly planted cactus balls; simply mist them 2 to 3 times a day.

7. Pests and diseases: Cactus balls are prone to pests and diseases in high-temperature, poorly ventilated environments. For diseases, spray carbendazim or thiophanate; for pests, spray dimethoate to kill them. However, no matter which medicinal solution is sprayed, it must be done outdoors.

Precautions for cactus balls

1. During the growing process of cactus balls, attention should be paid to factors such as their water requirement, light intensity and fertilizer. Once handled improperly, they may fail to survive.

2. In spring and summer, cactus balls begin to grow. Apply fertilizer once every half month, preferably a mixed fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In addition, provide appropriate shade and do not expose them to scorching sun.

3. In winter, move potted cactus balls indoors. They can safely overwinter at a room temperature above 5°C. The potting soil should be relatively dry; otherwise the roots are prone to rot.

4. Cacti are not suited to too much watering, otherwise the roots will rot. In spring and summer, it is best to water once every one to two months; in autumn and winter, once every two to three months is enough.

5. Cactus balls like sunlight and are not afraid of dryness. Be sure to water thoroughly when watering.

6. Repotting cactus balls should be done in spring. A newly repotted cactus ball should not be watered immediately; it should be watered only after 1 week.