Cactus Growing Methods and Pest and Disease Control Tips
Cacti are now the most common household potted plants. They are not only attractive but also very easy to grow, making them truly lazy-person plants. Below, let us take a detailed look at how to grow cacti well and how to deal with cactus pest and disease problems.
How to Grow Cacti - Watering and Misting
Terrestrial cacti have distinct growth and dormancy periods. They need watering during the growth period, and less or even no watering during dormancy. For epiphytic types, if the winter temperature is kept above 12°C, they can be watered and misted year-round; if the winter temperature is kept below 12°C, watering can be reduced as appropriate and misting should be stopped. When watering, follow this principle: "water thoroughly when dry, do not water when not dry"; the water temperature should be as close as possible to the soil temperature. In summer, water early (before sunrise) and late (after sunset); in winter, water between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.; and pour the water directly onto the potting soil, otherwise it will affect the appearance of the spines. In addition, in summer, sprinkle water on the ground to increase air humidity.
How to Grow Cacti - Fertilizing
Follow this principle for fertilizing: timely, appropriate in amount, and suited to the target. Fertilize in spring and autumn, once every 20 days, and choose early morning or evening on a sunny day. If the potting soil is relatively dry, sprinkle a little water on the potting soil before fertilizing. A concentration of 0.05%-0.2% is appropriate. The next morning, water once thoroughly for an even better effect. Terrestrial types require fertilizers rich in potassium and phosphorus and low in nitrogen, while epiphytic types require more nitrogen fertilizer.
How to Grow Cacti - Light
Terrestrial types prefer ample sunlight, especially in winter when full sunlight is even more necessary. Generally, tall columnar and flat cacti are more tolerant of intense light and can be placed outdoors in summer without shading; smaller spherical types prefer semi-shade conditions in summer. During the high-temperature summer months from June to August, cover the top growth point and surrounding area of the golden barrel cactus with a round plastic film so that all parts of the globe grow evenly. Epiphytic cacti require semi-shade conditions year-round.
How to Grow Cacti - Temperature
The suitable growth temperature for cacti is between 20-35°C. Terrestrial types do not require very high temperatures during winter dormancy; while keeping the potting soil dry, maintaining a temperature of 4-7°C is sufficient. Epiphytic types, however, require higher temperatures in winter, preferably maintaining 10-13°C or higher. When summer temperatures reach 30-35°C, the growth rate of most cacti slows down, and sometimes the stems of certain species turn yellow or become scorched. At this time, shading must be provided and more water sprinkled on the ground to lower the temperature.
How to Grow Cacti - Air
Most cacti and succulents originate from open desert areas with good ventilation and fresh air. Therefore, during the hot midsummer weather, ventilation and cooling work at the cultivation site should be done well. Cultivation greenhouses should be chosen in environments with air circulation, and more ventilation openings such as windows and skylights should be installed to allow ventilation and air exchange during hot weather. If necessary, equipment such as exhaust fans, blowers, or electric fans can be installed to strengthen the air circulation effect of the environment, so as to help cacti and succulents safely pass the summer.
How to Grow Cacti - Pests and Diseases
The pathogens harmful to cacti and succulents include bacteria and fungi, but the problem is not very serious. As long as cultivation conditions are improved, management measures are appropriate, and prevention and elimination of pests and diseases are combined, good results are easily obtained. The more common pests and diseases mainly include:
1. Rot disease. Its pathogens include both bacteria and fungi. The occurrence of this disease is often related to improper watering, poor drainage of the potting soil, and continuous excessive moisture. After discovering diseased plants, immediately use a sharp knife to remove the diseased tissue, apply charcoal powder or sulfur powder to the cut, and at the same time reduce watering or repot, and separately take cuttings or graft. It is best to regularly spray 40% copper oxychloride suspension at 800-1000 times dilution at the cultivation site and on the plants for prevention, but the main thing is still to improve ventilation conditions and avoid continuous excessive moisture.
2. Damage by insects and other animals. Mainly include scale insects, red spiders, and slugs. To control scale insects, spray 50% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution; to control red spiders, spray 20% dicofol wettable powder at 600 times dilution or 40% dicofol emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution; to control rats and sowbugs, spray chlorpyrifos at 2000 times dilution around flower racks and flower pots; to control snails and slugs, sprinkle lime powder around the flower pots, or apply 8% metaldehyde granules; to control cockroaches and ants, place cockroach and ant killing drugs or mix sugar water with trichlorfon to poison them.
The above is the relevant introduction in this article. I hope it is helpful to those of you who need it. If you have other questions, you can follow Yihao Home Network to learn more.