A Detailed Guide to the Benefits and Planting Methods of Ball Cacti
Many friends like to place a pot of ball cactus indoors, as it can serve a certain decorative purpose. So, how much do you know about how to grow ball cacti? Let us take a look together below.
The Benefits of Ball Cacti
1. The stems, leaves, and flowers of the ball cactus all have high ornamental value. Modern growers have cultivated hydroponic ball cacti through plant hydroponic mutation techniques; they are artistic masterpieces among hydroponic flowers, pleasing to the eye.
2. The ball cactus is cold in nature and bitter in taste, and has the effects of promoting the flow of qi and invigorating blood, nourishing the stomach, and clearing heat and detoxifying. It has a certain preventive and therapeutic effect on cancer, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, pulmonary tuberculosis, stomach diseases, diabetes, various heat-related conditions, gynecological diseases, and more.
3. The ball cactus releases oxygen at night, which is beneficial for sleep, and can also absorb dust and purify the air. In addition, the ball cactus also has an anti-radiation effect.
4. Edible ball cactus is a new type of green food with a unique flavor and truly free of public hazards. Its flesh is tender, sweet and mild, non-toxic, and free of any side effects, and it enjoys the reputation of "king of vegetables" and "king of medicines."
How to Plant Ball Cacti
1. Temperature
The ball cactus likes high temperatures and dry environments. In winter, the room temperature should be kept above 20°C during the day, and the nighttime temperature should not be lower than 10°C. If the temperature is too low, it is easy for the root system to rot.
2. Light
The ball cactus requires plenty of sunlight, but in summer it must not be exposed to strong direct sunlight and needs appropriate shading. For indoor cultivation, light can be used for illumination to help it grow vigorously.
3. Potting Soil
The soil used for potted ball cacti must be sandy soil (or sandy loam) with good drainage and air permeability that contains lime. It can be mixed from 2 parts loam and 2 parts leaf mold, 3 parts coarse sand, plus 1 part limestone gravel or old lime wall debris discarded when old buildings are demolished. It can also be mixed from 2 parts loam and 2 parts coarse sand, with 1 part each of broken brick, leaf mold, and old lime wall debris. When planting, a small amount of broken brick and tile pieces should be placed at the bottom of the pot to ensure smooth drainage.
4. Planting
Planting and potting up are best done in early spring. The flower pot should not be too large; it is best if it can accommodate the ball body with a slight gap. If the flower pot is too large, the water cannot be absorbed after thorough watering, the air in the pot is not circulated, and the root system is prone to rot. A few species with taproots, as well as Lophophora williamsii and giant ball cacti, require relatively deep cylindrical pots. For species with relatively shallow root systems, such as Mammillaria and Rebutia, relatively shallow ordinary flower pots can be used.
5. Repotting Method
When repotting, part of the old roots should be cut off, and after drying for 4-5 days, the plant can be potted up. It should not be planted too deep; it is best if the root neck of the ball body is level with the soil surface. To avoid causing root rot, newly planted ball cacti should not be watered; it is only necessary to mist them 2-3 times a day. After half a month, a small amount of water can be given, and only after new roots grow out after one month can watering be gradually increased.
6. Watering
Summer is the growing season for ball cacti. With high temperatures, the water requirement is large, so they must be watered thoroughly, preferably in the early morning and evening when temperatures are low. At noon, when it is hot, watering can easily cause sunburn on the ball body. During the hot and rainy plum season, watering should also be appropriately moderated. For ball cacti with a sunken top, be careful not to let water get into the depression, so as to avoid causing rot; this is especially important when watering in the evening.
7. Fertilizing
During the growing season, potted ball cacti can also be fertilized appropriately, especially those grafted onto Hylocereus undatus, for which fertilizing should be taken even more seriously. A fully decomposed, dilute liquid fertilizer can be used, applied once every 10-15 days. After autumn begins, pay attention to controlling fertilizer and water; generally applying once a month is enough, and fertilizing should stop in early October. If the fertilizer is not controlled and the ball cactus is allowed to continue growing, the tender ball body is susceptible to cold damage when overwintering.
8. Pest and Disease Control
In environments with high temperatures and poor ventilation, pests and diseases are likely to occur. For diseases, carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl can be sprayed; for pests, dimethoate can be sprayed to kill them. No matter which medicinal solution is sprayed, it must be done outdoors.
The above is the related introduction in this article. I believe that after reading it, you will also have a simple understanding of this. If needed, you can continue to follow No. 1 Home Network to learn more information.