Ball cacti are not only attractive in appearance but also relatively easy to grow, which is why they are loved by many gardening enthusiasts. Ball cacti are also natural air fresheners with an air-purifying effect, so many people like to keep them at home or on their office desks. So how do you grow a ball cactus?
Cultivation techniques:
Potting soil: For potted ball cacti, the soil should be sandy soil (or sandy loam) with good drainage and air permeability that contains lime. You can mix 2 parts loam, 2 parts leaf mold, 3 parts coarse sand, plus 1 part limestone gravel or old lime wall debris discarded when old buildings are demolished; you can also mix 2 parts loam, 2 parts coarse sand, and 1 part each of crushed brick, leaf mold, and old lime wall debris. When planting, a small amount of crushed brick and tile pieces should be placed at the bottom of the pot to ensure smooth drainage.
Planting: Planting and potting 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 little gap. If the pot is too large, the water cannot be absorbed after thorough watering, and the air in the pot does not circulate, making the roots prone to rot. A few taproot types and species such as Lophophora williamsii and giant barrel cacti require deeper cylindrical pots. Species with shallower root systems, such as Mammillaria and Rebutia, can use shallower ordinary flower pots.
Watering: Summer is the growing season for ball cacti. Temperatures are high and water demand is great. They must be watered thoroughly, preferably in the early morning or evening when temperatures are low. At noon, when it is hot, watering can easily cause sunburn on the ball body. During hot and rainy plum rain season, watering should also be appropriately moderated. For ball cacti with sunken tops, be careful not to let water get into the sunken area, as this can cause rot, and this is even more important when watering in the evening.
During winter dormancy, watering should be moderated, just enough to keep the potting soil from becoming excessively dry. The lower the temperature, the more the potting soil should be kept dry. Mature large balls are more drought-tolerant than small seedlings. Winter watering should be done in the morning on sunny days. As the temperature rises, the plants will gradually come out of dormancy, and only then can the frequency and amount of watering gradually increase.
Fertilizing: Potted ball cacti can also be fertilized appropriately during the growing season, especially those grafted onto Hylocereus trigonus, 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 stop fertilizing in early October. If fertilizer is not controlled and the ball cactus is allowed to continue growing, the tender ball body is susceptible to cold damage when overwintering. When fertilizing, be careful not to get it on the ball; if it does get on, rinse it off promptly with water.
Pest and disease control: In high-temperature and poorly ventilated environments, pests and diseases are likely to occur. For diseases, spray carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl; for pests, spray dimethoate to kill them. No matter which medicinal solution is sprayed, it must be done outdoors.
Temperature: Ball cacti like high temperatures and dry environments. In winter, the room temperature should be kept above 20°C during the day, and not lower than 10°C at night. If the temperature is too low, the root system is prone to rot.
Light: Ball cacti require plenty of sunlight, but in summer they cannot be exposed to strong direct sunlight and need appropriate shading. For indoor cultivation, lighting can be used to help them grow robustly.
Repotting method: When repotting, part of the old roots should be cut off. After drying for 4-5 days, pot and plant them again. Planting should not be too deep; it is best if the root crown of the ball body is level with the soil surface. To avoid root rot, newly planted ball cacti should not be watered; just mist 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.
Precautions for planting ball cacti
1. When planting, water the soil a little, but do not make it very wet, and do not water after planting. When watering, do not pour water onto the ball; only water the sandy soil, otherwise after the ball gets wet, the inside of the ball body will rot.
2. Take it to the balcony often to get some sun, but it must not be exposed to strong sunlight.