Author: Elena N. https://floristics.info/ru/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=19 Category: Houseplants Published: February 20, 2019Last edits: January 11, 2021
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Cactus (lat. Cactaceae) belongs to the Cactaceae family, represented by perennial flowering plants. The family is divided into four subfamilies. The word "cactus" is of Greek origin. Carl Linnaeus introduced this name in 1737 as an abbreviation for "melocactus" (thistle) due to the spines with which representatives of the Cactaceae are covered. It is suggested that cacti evolved evolutionarily about 30-40 million years ago, and, despite the fact that fossil cacti have not yet been found anywhere, it is believed that the homeland of cacti is South America, and they spread to the northern continent not so long ago - no more than 5-10 million years ago. Thus, we can consider cacti to be plants of the New World. And today the habitat of the cactus in nature is South and North America and the islands of the West Indies. In addition to the American continent, the cactus plant can be found in natural conditions in Africa, Madagascar and Sri Lanka - they claim that cactus seeds were brought there by birds.
The soil
Now in stores there are ready-made soil mixtures for cacti, and even for different types. But you can mix the soil yourself. It should be light, airy, have good drainage and not too sour.
Regular soil for indoor plants must be diluted with raising agents - pebbles, sand, stone chips. Choose a substrate based on lowland peat. To reduce acidity, use dolomite flour and limestone.
Photo: codeseller.ru
Fertilizer
As noted earlier, cacti are not fans of fertilizers. Prickly plants cope well without excess food, which gardeners add to the soil in excess.
Fertilizers for succulents are needed in two cases:
- In case of illness, deterioration of the appearance of the stem;
- With a long absence of flowering (more than 5 years).
If there is a noticeable deterioration in the condition of your cactus, it is necessary to find the cause of this phenomenon. When choosing fertilizers, rely on three tips:
- As little organic matter as possible (in most cases it is better without it);
- Lack of nitrogen, which leads to rotting and death of succulents;
- Mineral elements, calcium, phosphorus, and occasionally magnesium are welcome.
Today, stores sell fertilizers for cacti and succulents. In these mixtures, the proportions of the ingredients are carefully observed and the total acidity of the elements does not exceed the permissible norm.
Fertilizers must be used according to the instructions indicated on the label of the purchased mixture. When preparing your own cactus fertilizer, use only proven recipes. Determine exactly the required concentration in the soil - usually up to 5-10 g is enough (depending on the size of the pot). Do not use fertilizer more than every two months.
Shading a cactus
If such a need arises, organza or a mosquito net is sufficient for shading. It is imperative to hide freshly transplanted plants from direct sunlight, because they are more sensitive. It is also better to do this in early spring, when the first sunny days arrive. Accustom the cactus to light gradually over the course of a week.
Photo: threadbaresupply.com
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Is it possible to place a cactus in a room without a window?
Often, cacti are placed in offices or bathrooms in the hope that their unpretentiousness will help them survive. But in fact, only certain varieties are able to live in such conditions, because most of them are southern desert plants.
At best, the cactus simply will not grow and develop. So we recommend avoiding such decisions. Or at least be sure to study the conditions of keeping a particular species and organize special lighting.
Photo: procvety.net
Botanical description
Many cacti and succulents have taken root in indoor culture and have been growing on our windowsills for hundreds of years. However, succulents and cacti are not the same thing: if all cacti are succulents, then not all succulents are cacti. We will tell you what the difference between them is, how to plant a cactus, how to grow a cactus, how to water a cactus correctly, how to care for a cactus at home and what methods are used to propagate cacti.
The cactus plant differs from succulents in the presence of an areola, a special organ that is a modified axillary bud with scales transformed into spines or hairs, although many varieties have both. Another difference between cacti and succulents is the structure of their flowers and fruits - part of the flower and fruit of a cactus is also part of its stem. There are up to a dozen other differences that are of interest only to scientists, and we will not write about them.
It is very difficult to give a general description for all cacti, but we will dwell in detail on their varieties in a special section. Let's just say that the indoor cactus plant attracts with its exotic appearance and ease of care, which even a beginner can do. The common features of all cacti are pronounced periods of growth, flowering and dormancy, and the root of the cactus is not able to absorb large amounts of nutrients, so the annual growth of plants of this family is very modest.
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How to water a cactus?
Any cacti must be watered only with warm, settled or filtered water. You must not let water get on the plant itself and allow it to stagnate. Moisture-loving varieties are watered more often, but desert varieties are sufficient several times a season. Therefore, there is no universal scheme, but remember: in the case of cacti, underwatering is always better than overwatering. And be sure to reduce the frequency of watering in winter!
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Mistakes when growing succulents
The health of your green pets depends on proper care, as well as whether the succulents want to bloom. Listen to simple tips:
- inspect your plants more often;
- immediately isolate sick or infected specimens;
- do not use hard water for irrigation;
- do not flood the soil, follow the watering regime;
- when transplanting, properly prepare and sterilize the soil;
- for prevention, treat pests and diseases once a year;
- do not replant flowering cacti;
- moving it to another place or simply turning the pot can cause the buds to drop;
- with a lack of light and heat, the plant will not bloom.
Caring for flowering cacti
During this period, protect the plant from direct sunlight, ventilate often and avoid weeds. For flowering varieties, proper wintering with a state of dormancy is especially important in order to have time to accumulate strength. You should not turn the pot with different sides to the sun - let it stand in one place. Do not disturb the cactus with buds with fertilizers, rearrangements or transplants.
Photo: vk.com
Transfer
Cacti are replanted in the spring, when they have just gained strength for active growth. In the process, carefully cut off all damaged roots, disinfect the pot and soil, and give the plant a bath with rooting agent according to the instructions.
When planting, a generous drainage layer is needed. The root collar must remain on the surface, because if the trunk gets into the ground, it will begin to rot the very next time you water it. When you need to strengthen an unstable plant, cover it with decorative stones. After transplanting, do not water the plant for 3-5 days, do not place it in direct sun and do not fertilize for 1-2 weeks.
Photo: topask.ru
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Watering
Cacti are not water-loving plants, but complete exclusion of watering leads to their death. As with fertilizers, there is no universal advice on the amount of watering - some species need up to 50 ml per week, others can take weeks to saturate with it.
For example, forest succulents tolerate the lack of water worse, while southern cacti do not feel changes in the absence of moisture for up to a month.
Watering cacti is necessary in accordance with the needs of the selected species. Chlorinated, hard and heavily polluted water should not be used as a irrigation liquid. Impurities and chemicals make the stem softer and settle on the needles in the form of a painful coating.
Under natural conditions, the roots of this plant are saturated with rainwater filled with minerals. In the absence of rainwater supplies, well or spring water is a good option. As a last resort - water passed through a home filter or even purchased mineral water (not carbonated).
The amount of watering also depends on the time of year and environmental conditions.
- In warm, sunny, dusty seasons, the level of watering of succulents increases by 10%. On the contrary, in cold and damp times, the level of watering should not exceed the permissible norm for your species (otherwise the plant will “choke”). Monitor the biorhythms of the plant - during the period of preparation for flowering, moisture and minerals accumulate in the tissues. Keep track of which month your cactus bloomed for the last time, and a year later, 90 days before the marked date, water the plant with plenty of water.
- A succulent growing in dry, dusty rooms needs additional weekly spraying with water at room temperature to cleanse the tissues. Cacti located in cool, well-ventilated areas do not require additional watering.
- The most favorable time for watering succulents is before lunch. The choice of this time of day is explained by the natural rhythms of day and night and the natural decrease in temperature. Water that gets into the ground, when slightly cool, tends to linger in its pores, which leads to an excess of moisture.
- Before each watering, inspect the soil - it should be dry and loose! If the soil is wet, postpone watering for several days.
- Be careful to keep the drainage holes clean. Their clogging will lead to stagnation of water in the soil.
During the flowering period, the plant is renewed, filled with reserves of water and nutrients in the tissues. No additional watering is required during flowering.
Cactus flowers are resistant to environmental conditions and tolerate lack of moisture better than other plants during the breeding season. Excessive watering often leads to the falling of flower petals and the rapid completion of flowering.
Drainage
There are two concepts that facilitate the passage of water through the soil - small holes at the bottom of the flower pot, through which excess liquid drains, and “auxiliary” drainage, obtained by adding inorganic elements to the soil.
When choosing a pot and replanting a cactus, pay attention to the bottom of the container - there should be at least three of them if the volume of the recess does not exceed 10 cm, and at least 5 if the height of the pot is more than 15 cm. Drainage holes should be regularly checked for blockages and the dryness of the tray, on which there is a flower container.
If, despite the presence of such holes, water tends to linger in the soil, it is necessary to add a pinch of crushed eggshells, crushed bricks or small pebbles (not organic!) to the soil. Additives loosen the soil, making it better permeable to water.
Reproduction of cactus by children
Most cacti simply reproduce by babies, which you simply need to carefully pinch off and root in water or directly in the ground. It is better to take already grown children, at least 1.5-2 cm. When rooting in water, it should be warm (25-30 degrees), and not reach the trunk of the plant. The distance between the water level and the bottom of the cactus is 5-7 mm.
Photo: domashniecvety.ru
Diseases
The most common problems with cacti are fungi and rot. Most often they appear due to improper care: excess moisture and low temperatures. Here it is important to remove damaged areas, reduce watering, provide warmth and sun, and use antifungal sprays and solutions.
If the cactus trunk is too soft, the problem is an excess of moisture. When the root system begins to rot, it is very difficult to save the plant. But you can try with an emergency transplant, removing rotten roots and drying.
A slight change in color is a standard reaction to changing conditions, so most often it will go away on its own. Dropping buds or leaves can be a reaction to stress, and the death of young shoots is a sure sign of damage to the roots during transplantation or due to pests.
Photo: stroysoc.ru
Who is suitable as a houseplant?
According to the Zodiac, prickly representatives of the flora are suitable for Scorpios, Sagittarius and Aries. Leafy varieties bring good luck to Libra.
If we do not take astrology into account, we can say with confidence that desert and forest succulents, due to their rare unpretentiousness, are suitable for absolutely anyone, even those with minimal personal experience in floriculture.
Cacti are extremely popular among indoor plant lovers. This is explained by their fantastic diversity, unpretentiousness, easy reproduction, unusual appearance and beauty of flowering.
Cactus pests
Pests on cacti are rare. Occasionally, small mites settle on them, leaving behind rusty spots. Less common are whitish scale insects, scale insects and false scale insects. The methods of control are the same: remove everything that can be removed with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, and treat the plant with an insecticide according to the instructions.
Photo: waysi.ru
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