How to grow golden barrel cactus? Detailed guide to golden barrel cactus care
The golden barrel cactus is a fairly common type of cactus; some also call it the grass ball, Echinocactus, etc. How to grow the golden barrel cactus is the first thing new growers need to understand. Relatively speaking, the golden barrel cactus is quite easy to care for, though it often develops etiolation and leggy growth.
I. Golden barrel cactus care
Temperature plays an important role in the golden barrel cactus's growth cycle. In winter, the golden barrel cactus is dormant. In April, it wakes up and begins to grow. In May and June, when the temperature reaches its ideal growing range of 25-30°C, it enters a period of vigorous growth. In July and August, when the temperature exceeds 35°C, it enters summer dormancy. In September, when the temperature drops to 30°C, it wakes up again and starts growing once more. With good care in autumn, its growth rate may exceed that of spring. In mid-to-late November, as the temperature drops, the golden barrel cactus gradually enters dormancy. At this point, its annual growth cycle comes to an end. If the room temperature is too low or the body of the cactus is exposed to cold, yellow spots will appear. Keep the overwintering temperature above 5°C and keep the potting soil dry; below 5°C it easily turns brown and rots. If the cactus body is grafted onto a Hylocereus undatus (dragon fruit) stem, the overwintering room temperature needs to be above 10°C, otherwise the rootstock easily freezes and is damaged, directly affecting the growth of the cactus body; this is a common problem among cactus growers today.
II. Points to note when growing golden barrel cactus in pots
1. Use a potting mix with good drainage and aeration. For potting, you can mix 2 parts leaf mold, 4 parts sand, 3 parts garden soil, and 1 part decomposed chicken or duck manure, and place a small amount of crushed bone meal or shell powder at the bottom of the pot as a base fertilizer.
2. Light and temperature should be suitable. The golden barrel cactus likes plenty of sunlight; during the growing season, keep it in a sunny spot. In summer, it prefers partial shade, as direct strong sunlight can easily scorch it. If kept in a low-light environment for a long time, the cactus body will become elongated and lack vitality, reducing its ornamental value. In winter, it also needs to be placed in a bright spot indoors, with room temperature ideally kept between 8°C and 10°C. The lowest should not go below 4°C.
III. What to do if the golden barrel cactus rots
The golden barrel cactus likes a warm, dry living environment. Rot may be caused by bacterial infection or overwatering. If the rotten area is not large, you can pull the golden barrel cactus out by the roots, remove the rotten parts, treat it with fungicide and rooting powder, let it dry in a shady place for a day, and then replant it in freshly prepared potting soil. If the rotten area is very large, there is no saving it.
Before planting the golden barrel cactus, first water the soil thoroughly, then plant the cactus, and do not water it for the time being. A newly planted golden barrel cactus should not be exposed to strong sunlight and needs a little shade. After half a month, you can water it lightly, and in about a month it will grow new roots.
Summary: To grow a golden barrel cactus well, you need scientific management, careful attention, and an understanding of its cultivation methods and precautions; only then can you avoid the golden barrel cactus rotting.