Cacti at home (photo) - the types and characteristics of their cultivation. The right conditions and care for cacti at home

Cacti are considered one of the most popular home plants. They fell in love with gardeners for their unpretentiousness and attractive decorative appearance. Fit into any interior, attract attention due to the bizarre forms and structure. In relation to this plant, a stereotype has developed that cacti do not need to be cared for, but this is a big mistake.

If you do not create optimal conditions and do not care for them, the flower begins to wither and may die. From the article you will learn how to properly care for cacti at home.

Description of the plant, species and varieties

Cactus or cactus - a large family of perennial flowering plants. Their homeland is considered to be South and North America, some species are found in the wild-growing form on the territory of Sri Lanka and Africa. A plant can have a variety of shapes and sizes, often their leaves are represented by needles or segments.

The height varies from 1.5 cm to 20, but at home, usually dwarf varieties are bred, bred by breeding. Depending on external features and needs for life, there are two large groups of decorative cacti:

• Deserts. Have a small height of the bush, the leaves are almost always represented by needles. They can have various forms, elongated, spherical or creeping plants are more common. Able to withstand drought, very light-requiring. The most popular species are: Echinopsis, Echinocactus Gruzona, Cereus, Espola, Astrophytum, Notocactus, Opuntia and Rebution;

• Forest. They are less similar to cacti, but also belong to this family. More whimsical in care, the bush is often segmented. Popular species: Epiphyllum, Zigokaktus (Decembrist) and Ripsalidopsis.

When choosing a variety, you need to carefully read the description and check the photos, because hybrids are often on sale, which are unstable forms and are especially difficult to clean.

Site selection and conditions of detention

Health and the ability to bloom depends not only on the right care, but also the proper location of the cactus at home. It is important to consider several factors: the type of plant, vegetative stage and age of the cactus. If favorable conditions are created, the risk of disease is significantly reduced, and flowering and fruiting can be achieved.

Lighting and location

The choice of a place for keeping a cactus directly depends on its variety. Desert species are light-requiring and prefer long, intense sunlight, so it is desirable to place them in the middle of the window sill, which faces east or south.

Zigokaktus and other forest species of cacti are preferably located on the western or northern side, where there is less light, which must necessarily be diffused. For example, the leaves of the Decembrist when exposed to direct sunlight can discolor, disrupt the natural cycle of flowering and rest.

In summer, cacti can be kept on the balcony, but if the air temperature is too high, the plant must be provided with sufficient humidity. It is worth remembering that these plants do not like to change their location. It is not recommended to move the cactus or turn it around its axis, as this reduces the likelihood of flowering.

Temperature

Temperature control depends on the stage of plant development. From spring to the second half of autumn, when vegetation is noted, the plant requires moderate room temperature or balcony content. Difficulties usually arise precisely during rest. During this period, the plant should be moved to a cool place with a temperature of 5-15 o C. In order not to create a stressful situation for the plant, some gardeners gradually reduce heat so that the cactus organically turns into rest.

Cactus tolerate minor temperature fluctuations during day and night hours, so in summer the plant can be kept on a loggia, terrace or balcony without jeopardizing its health.

Air and humidity

Fresh air for cacti is vital. Most species cannot bloom precisely because of lack of oxygen. That is why in the summer it is desirable to place the plant in the fresh air. At the same time, drafts are disastrous for them; prolonged adverse effects should not be allowed.

Almost all types of cacti do not tolerate high levels of humidity. It is not recommended to carry out additional spraying, to maintain health it is enough to observe the planned irrigation regime. The only exception to this rule is cleistocactus, for which spraying is an important part of care.

Soil and pot

The soil for growing cacti should be well aerated and permeable. For most varieties, the optimum acidity of the soil is 4.5-6, so preference should be given to weakly acidic substrates. To increase the looseness of brick add crumb or river sand, and to increase the acidity, you can make peat.

There are peculiarities of soil mix preparation, therefore a universal land for cacti is not recommended for use. Key moments of the preparation of the substrate:

• young plants need more nutritious soil, they use leafy ground as a base;
• adult cacti optimally planted in dense substrates, such as greenhouse or clay-sod land;
• for fast-growing species it is useful to introduce humus into the soil;
• for cacti with a lot of spines, it is recommended to add eggshells.

It should competently approach the choice of capacity, to which cacti are very demanding. In order to choose the right pot, remove the plant from the old container before transplanting, carefully spread the roots and carefully examine the root system. In some species, the roots are especially developed in the upper part, so it is desirable for them to purchase a wide and not very deep pot.

For representatives with a well-defined core root system, it is preferable to prefer a deep and narrow capacity. Regardless of the shape at the bottom, there should be holes for water flow and drainage - cacti do not tolerate stagnant water. The choice of material does not play a significant role, but it should be borne in mind that the plastic container substrate remains wet longer than in clay.

Care

There is a stereotype among people that cactus are extremely unpretentious plants for growing at home. They can do without water and fertilizing for a long time, but in this case the growth rate decreases, and flowering does not occur at all. It should be borne in mind that the peculiarities of care directly depend on the type of cactus, its age and season.

Watering

Depending on the growing season for cacti is required to observe a different mode of watering. It should be understood that the drier the indoor air, the stronger the light and the higher the temperature, the more abundant the watering should be. Water for cacti must be soft, before the procedure, it must be allowed to settle for 24 hours.

Especially good cacti react to rain or melt water. With a large amount of calcium in the moisture, on the base of the stem, characteristic white spots appear that reduce the decorative effect of the plant.

In the summer, when there is an intensive period of growth, you need to water the cacti daily or every other day, preferably in the morning, so that in the evening the surplus will completely drain into the pan and the soil will dry out. On cloudy days, watering should be discarded. Starting from the second half of autumn, watering is gradually reduced, and in winter it is reduced to a minimum. Large plants can be watered 1-2 times for the entire period of rest, small species more often - 2 times a month.

Top dressing

Unlike other indoor ornamental plants, the cactus is less in need of regular feeding. Flowering is the only period when fertilization is mandatory. At other times, it is best to use phosphorus or potassium compounds, nitrogen fertilizing is recommended to be avoided.

Due to the botanical features, the need for cacti in nitrogen is minimal, with the increase of this element in the substrate leads to the deformation and wateriness of the stem, the death of children and the appearance of scars on the surface.

You can begin to make dressing with the active onset of growth in March or early April, and finish in September. The recommended dosage and intensity of the application can be viewed on the annotations to the specific composition.

Loosening, mulching

Because of the sensitive root system, loosening for cacti is not worth doing. In most species, the roots grow strongly along the substrate, so during the procedure they are easily damaged. With the right composition of the soil, the need for artificial aeration is practically not felt.

Mulching for all cacti and succulents is carried out not to reduce the evaporation of water from the soil, but to protect the root collar from over-wetting and overheating in hot weather. As a material, it is recommended to use coarse sand, fine brick chips or gravel.

Gathering, trimming, trimming

Masking and pruning for cacti do not hold due to their peculiarities of the bush. The most important point is the pinch or pin. In this case, it comes down to removing 1-2 segments of a plant or removing the upper growth point. This allows you to enhance flowering in the future season. For young plants, the procedure is carried out with the aim of getting thicker bushes. In addition, pinch and buds after flowering.

Transfer

It is necessary to replant a cactus in process of its growth and development. For young plants, the pot needs to be changed annually; large adult cacti need to be transplanted in 2-3 years. During this time, it is recommended to update the top layer of soil or shaking the ground, which allows you to increase the flow of air to the roots.

The optimal time for work is the end of March or the beginning of May. A new pot is considered suitable if an old container fits into it freely. Transplant Algorithm:

1. 3-5 days before transplantation, watering is completely stopped and the substrate is selected depending on the characteristics of the plant.
2. The soil is placed in a pot in 1/3 of the volume, and then the cactus is placed in the center of the tank, straightening its roots.
3. The gap between the walls of the pot and the roots fall asleep with the substrate, while shaking it to evenly distribute the soil inside.
4. The soil is filled to the level of the root collar, compacted by hand or using a scapula. Top need to lay sand or gravel layer up to 1.5 cm to prevent rotting of the root collar.

Breeding

Cacti at home can be propagated by seed or side processes. The second method is more popular because the seedlings already have small roots and root well.

Vegetative

The easiest and most reliable method of breeding cacti. Most species have lateral processes or babies that are easily separated from the parent plant. They already have the rudiments of roots, therefore it is enough to deepen the process in the substrate prepared in advance, moisten it well and place it in a warm and bright place. It is recommended to transfer to a larger spacious container no earlier than in a year.

In those species that do not form side shoots, you need to choose a healthy and strong shoot or a section of the stem, carefully cut it off. It is advisable to dry the cut place and then deepen it into a loose and wet substrate. Rooting occurs within 10-14 days.

Seeds

Planting material is easiest to purchase at the store, the use of seeds from a home plant leads to a deterioration in the quality of the plant due to the complexity of artificial pollination. Acquired seeds are immersed in a solution of potassium permanganate for a couple of hours, after which they are placed in a moist substrate with a layer of 1 cm.

Soil or moss should be constantly wet, and also need daily ventilation. Seeds germinate in 5-30 days depending on the species, after which they can be planted in small individual containers. Transplantation carried out no earlier than one year.

Diseases and pests

Under the conditions of care and cultivation, diseases and pests rarely affect domestic cacti. Among insects most common are spider mites, mealybugs and nematodes. Save the plant can only be in the early stages of infection. For this purpose, a complex insecticide is used, the treatment is carried out twice with an interval of 10-14 days. In the case of a strong defeat of a cactus, it is almost impossible to cure it.

Among the diseases, the most dangerous are fungal infections — brown spotting (atrocnosis) and root rot. They arise due to non-compliance with the irrigation regime or due to the use of poor-quality soil.

You can determine the disease by the appearance of watering of the stem, within a few days the cactus may die. The most effective is the use of fungicides, which are applied to the plant with a brush, so as not to increase the soil moisture. The most common drugs - Home, Bordeaux mixture, Fundazol and Topaz.

In addition, there may be problems caused only by improper care:

• The shoots are strongly drawn, formed thin. Usually occurs against the background of a lack of lighting, the plant is quickly restored when changing conditions of detention;
• White and yellow spots. Appear as a result of keeping the plant under regular exposure to direct sunlight or due to lack of fresh air.
• Stalk redness. Often this is a reaction to stressful conditions, for example, non-compliance with the technology of transplantation, frequent change of location;
• Yellowing segments. The problem arises due to a lack of moisture in the soil or a shortage of mineral substances;
• Dropping, underdevelopment of buds. It may appear due to a change in cactus location or a lack of phosphorus, water and heat.

To achieve cactus blooming at home is not an easy task even with good health of the stem and green parts of the plant. It is recommended to observe the technology of care as clearly as possible, and also to take into account the peculiarities of the content depending on the type of plant.

Cacti - a real decoration of any interior. Their decorative form and large species diversity allow you to choose a plant for every taste. It is important to remember that cacti need special care, subject to which they are able to grow quickly and bloom every year.

Cacti in nature grow in arid desert areas, which are characterized by temperature drops from +50 degrees during the day to 0 degrees at night, which made these plants resistant to adverse conditions. Due to this, cacti can be kept on the windowsill both in summer and in winter, and also rarely watered, especially in cold weather.

All kinds of cacti love good lighting. Desert species like light, which allows them to grow in southern windows, and their forest varieties prefer scattered rays from the east side. It is important not to rearrange plants accustomed to a particular light regime to other windows - this may adversely affect their growth and development. The same rule applies to the sides of the plant itself: no need to twist the cactus during flowering. If there is any doubt as to which side of the plant stands in the light, you must make a mark on the pot with a marker or with a sticker.

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  Pot selection rules

Cacti equally feel in ceramic, plastic and glass containers. Need to focus on the size of the plant. The roots should have enough space, but a large excess of free space is not recommended.

The width of the pot should be such that the cactus does not completely close it, otherwise the excess moisture can not evaporate. Better when the plant takes up about half the space. Easier to use pots with drainage system. Water leaves the ground, and root decay does not occur. For cacti, especially sensitive to excess moisture, such containers are well suited.

Experienced growers can use pots without holes. If you are careful in watering, you can create beautiful florariums, for example, inside glass vases.

You can take a wide low capacity or trays for growing several plants at the same time. Usually they get along well with each other.



  Soil features

Cacti are unpretentious in care, but the composition of the soil is an important factor for growing a healthy long-lived plant. Nutritious, micronutrient-rich soil is detrimental to the inhabitants of stony and sandy areas. We must try to bring the composition to the consistency and acidity to the one in which they develop in the wild.

To do this, you should take ready-made soil for cacti and succulents, or create it yourself, using 2 parts of sod land, 2 parts of sand, 1 part of stone powder or gravel. Replacement last can be perlite. At the bottom of the pot must be poured drainage.



Lighting and temperature

Despite the fact that cacti love light and suffer from its deficiency, direct sunlight causes serious plant burns. To avoid damage, you need to put cacti in places where the sun shines before noon or close the windows with paper, a piece of patterned tulle.

To determine the excess or lack of lighting can be on the appearance of the plant: in the first case, the cactus will be saturated lilac shade, in the second - will stretch and turn pale.

Temperature variations for desert dwellers are not terrible, because the difference between the heat of the day and the coolness of the night in their homeland is often about 50 degrees. But the average temperature in winter should not be lower than 12-14 C, with prolonged cold the plant may die.





  Peculiarities of watering and feeding

Several factors affect the volume and frequency of irrigation:

• Size of the plant. Large cacti contain a large amount of water inside, so they do not need frequent moistening.
• The size of the pot and the presence of drainage holes. From a pot with a large area of ​​soil, water evaporates faster than from a small one, so you need to water the plants more often. In the absence of openings for draining excess moisture, watering can be repeated when the topsoil is completely dry.
• Season. In the summer watering is needed more often than in winter. The recommended frequency for the May-September period is once every 3-7 days, for the cold time it is no more than once a week.
• The temperature in the house. The cooler, the less watering. If plants are above hot radiators, then they need to be watered more often.

It is better to pour water under the barrel, avoiding contact with the plant itself.  Only in the spring can you spray a spray once or twice a month. The water temperature should be 1-2 degrees above room temperature.

Use only special fertilizers for cacti. This should be done during the period when the plant is preparing for rest. This time is at the beginning of autumn. The main thing - do not overdo it, otherwise there may be cracks in the trunk.

  Transplant and pruning

The transplant will remove the dead roots, leaving only the strong and healthy, and change the soil. You can evaluate the quality of irrigation in the presence / absence of rotten roots and change the tactics of care if necessary. Young plants require more frequent transplantation due to the growth of the trunk and root system approximately once a year.



Cacti are transplanted without earthen coma, therefore, 5-7 days before this event, watering of the plant should be stopped.

A new pot should be somewhat larger in volume. After transplantation, the plant is not watered for about a week. The neck of the cactus should be sprinkled with sand or small stones to avoid rotting.

The best time to change the pot - the beginning of spring.  In some cases, it is required to trim the cactus. For example, with the defeat of its lower part. To do this, all damaged tissue is cut with a sharp knife diagonally, because when dried, the flesh will decrease slightly in size. It is necessary to give the cactus a half to two weeks to heal the wound, then gently plant in a pot. Watering should begin no earlier than two weeks for medium and large cacti - they have an adequate supply of water in the trunk. So you can minimize the risk of rotting.

  Possible diseases

With an excess of moisture cactus is affected by rot. In this case, it is necessary to clear the ground and cut off the affected roots, and the transplanted plant should not be watered for a long time.



A spider mite of very small size, it multiplies rapidly and easily infects neighboring plants. It is necessary to fight a tick by removing it from the surface of the plant and using insecticidal preparations that kill not only the tick, but also its larvae.

Shield aphid appears on cacti rarely, usually creeps from other plants.  It sucks nutritious juices, and a fungus quickly grows on its sticky secretions. The plant ceases to bloom, and then dries. The fight against this pest is the same as with the other - the mechanical removal of adults and the destruction of larvae with drugs.

Although succulents are plants with low water intake, it is vital for them. In this case, an abundance of moisture leads to undesirable consequences for the plant. That is why it is important to know the rules for watering cactus.

Features watering cactus

Water for irrigation of succulents should be soft and clean: the presence of impurities, chlorine and salts is not allowed. In this case, rainwater is ideal, although it cannot be used without additional treatment, otherwise a whole bunch of infections can be brought into the soil. If hard water was used for irrigation, alkalization of the soil occurs, as a result, the growth of the plant slows down, it weakens and becomes susceptible to all sorts of diseases. To reduce the hardness of water boiled or add nitric or acetic acid (a few drops per liter of water).

It is better not to use well water for watering cactus, as it is considered too hard and may contain impurities harmful to the plant.

You can water cacti only if they are healthy and are in a state of active growth, because only healthy roots can absorb water. It is important to find a middle ground, which will be the right watering. It is difficult to say with certainty how much and how often the cactus should be watered. The answer to this question depends on many factors: the amount of light, the state of the plant, the humidity of the air and its temperature. It should be remembered that in natural habitat, succulent wakes up and starts to grow in spring, actively grows and blooms in summer, and in autumn it hibernates and arrives in this state all winter. All this needs to be taken into account when watering a cactus.

In addition, in winter, cacti are generally not recommended for watering, it is better to start watering with the arrival of spring. The fact that the cactus has awakened is indicated by the green head of the plant (this is the growth point), as well as the growth of young spines on the top of the succulent. The first watering is carried out in the morning: this is done to ensure that most of the water evaporates during the day, and in the evening the soil has a minimum amount of moisture (this will minimize the likelihood of succulent root decay).

Cactus is a unique plant with some special features. Succulents are very different from other indoor cultures. Around them are many fictions that confuse inexperienced gardeners. For example, there is a myth that when growing a cactus, it does not need to be watered at all. Of course, this is not true. Even though the “homeland” of most cacti is desert, they still need water. But in this regard, it is impossible to deviate from the recommended framework, since incorrect watering can lead to the death of the plant.

For watering cacti ordinary chlorinated water from the tap will not work. Requires clean and soft water without salts, chlorine and impurities. Perfect rain, but before using it must be further processed. Otherwise, in addition to the water itself, you risk introducing various infections into the soil. Hard water for irrigation is the dulling of plant growth and the appearance of various diseases, which can be caused by alkalization of the soil. At the same time, succulents are very weak and vulnerable to infectious and fungal diseases. To reduce the stiffness can be using acetic or nitric acid, which is added at the rate of 2-4 drops per 1 liter of water. Boiling also helps, after which all harmful bacteria die.

Important! People living in the villages often use well water for cacti irrigation. This is wrong, because this water contains harmful substances for the plant. She is also very tough.

Irrigation methods

There are two ways to water a cactus - through the pallet or on top. In this connection, disputes may arise between experienced cacti players. It is explained by the fact that most of the roots of the cactus, which absorb moisture, are located in the lower part of the root. But despite this, each of the methods has its own advantages.

   Bottom watering

Method No1. Watering through the pan

The convenience of this method lies in the fact that in the process of watering the land in the pot is not eroded. At the same time useful components can be stored in the soil for a very long time. This method can be suitable for experienced gardeners who know exactly the required amount of moisture for a cactus, because it is very difficult to find out for yourself. For some reason, the owners of cacti are very sensitive to the choice of the method of watering, but this is not such a serious problem. It all depends on the experience of the cactuskeeper and his personal preferences.

Method No2. Watering from above

A good way to water, the uniqueness of which lies in the fact that the process is clearly visible water flow. When this occurs, the wetting of the whole earthen coma. Among the minuses worth mentioning the leaching of useful components from the top of the soil, which can not be said about the first method.

To protect the plant stem from water ingress, you need to make a special device from a plastic bottle. It will play the role of some polivalki. To do this, you need to drill a small hole in the cap of the bottle and place two tubes from the drink. A tube from an unnecessary dropper may come up. With this device it is convenient to water the cactus or other indoor plants.

We prepare tubules (here - different lengths)

It is advisable to water the succulents in a warm, sunny time. If you decide to water them in rainy and cold weather, then they can suffer greatly. This is especially true for desert cacti that rot when supercooling. The optimal time for irrigation in Russia is morning. Evening watering is better to ignore due to frequent night cooling, which are characteristic of this climate. In the case of cacti, it would be better to skip a few waterings than to do it once more. The death of the plant will become inevitable if it is watered at a low temperature (below +10 degrees). Do not forget it.

Time for watering cacti - morning or evening

How often do this?

One of the main factors in the development of cacti is the frequency of their watering. Most of the plants come from African or South American lands, whose arid areas provide excellent conditions for the growth of cacti. These cultures have learned to retain a sufficient amount of moisture inside the "body", spending it gradually, if necessary. This is due to habitats where rain may not be for several months. This feature of plants and creates a threat to them with frequent and excessive watering, while rare watering will not be able to harm them.

There are also such types of cacti that do not tolerate long-term droughts, therefore, they are bred independently more often than others. We are talking about forest and tropical species. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of each plant separately.

Do succulents have a cyclical development? It should be noted that their growth rate decreases slightly in the winter time, since the plants retain energy for further growth. Energy shortage contributes to the lack of sunlight, a short light day, which is required for the normal development of plants. This led to the need for special care for cacti in the winter.

Caution, wintering!

In the winter you need to put your pets where the temperature does not rise above the level of +18 degrees. A cool place, such as a cold window sill, will do. But at the same time take care of protecting the plant from cold drafts. Growing a cactus at a high temperature will lead to evaporation of moisture, which will cause it to shrink gradually. The combination of low light and coolness is ideal conditions for winter growth. If you have achieved these conditions, then the frequency of watering - no more than once a month, and in some cases even less. With an insufficient amount of light and frequent watering, the plant may stop flowering, and its trunk is deformed.

Important! After wintering, the cactus may slightly decrease in size. This is a completely normal reaction caused by prolonged rest during cold weather.

With the onset of spring and an increase in the longitude of the day, plant growth is activated. Begin watering in the second half of April, when the warm weather managed to somehow stabilize. Adaptation to the coming season can be performed by gradual increase in irrigation. It is about two waterings per month - this will be quite enough.

Usually, people take up more holy water than they need, and by the end of the year, by the next Epiphany, they still have decent reserves. It is simply not recommended to pour out the consecrated water in such a way, and the owners are often interested in:?

Summer watering

With the onset of summer when watering must take into account external factors. When the weather is sunny, optimal irrigation requires frequent watering because of the strong evaporation of moisture, and in cloudy weather, water may not be necessary. This is due to the "dormant" state of the cactus. The recommended frequency of watering in the summer - 4-6 times a month. An insufficient amount of moisture will cause the trunk to gradually dry out and shrink. The cactus can be saved from imminent death by a drainage located at the bottom of the cactus vessel. With this, also correctly chosen soil will cope.

Soil can affect the frequency of watering. For example, the composition of the store substrate includes peat. It does not have a high moisture capacity, so it should not be used for most cacti, even for the most undemanding of them. It is advisable to mix this substrate with universal soil and sand - this will increase the moisture capacity and breathability. For cacti should be used soil that absorbs moisture.

Irrigation instructions

Possession of information about the frequency of watering is not enough to grow cacti. It is also necessary to know some features of this process.

Table. How to water a cactus.

Cactus is a kind of plant, so special fertilizers are needed for it. Their feature is the content of a small amount of nitrogen. An excess of nitrogen in the fertilizer or soil can lead to the death of the plant (its stem gradually becomes watery and loose, rotting scars and wounds occur). Because of this, organic dressings are not used for cacti, they require calcium, potassium and phosphorus. These elements are contained in special salable fertilizers.

It is advisable to carry out fertilizer of forest cacti no more than once a month, desert ones twice a month. It is necessary to begin top dressing in 14 days from the moment of change of a plant. It is desirable to do this from the end of March - the beginning of April.

About air humidity

Succulents are very hardy plants, as they can tolerate hot and dry air. But at the same time most of the cacti are refreshed with morning dew or evening fog. Daily spraying has a positive effect on growth. To do this, use warm water, from 30 to 40 degrees. In sunny weather, spraying is carried out before sunlight hits the plant, and in the autumn cold time it is better not to spray it at all. Of course, there is an exception among the cacti, which can arrange abundant showers to remove cobwebs and dust. This Epifillum, Ripsalis and others. Excess moisture does not harm them, but only benefit.

Most species of cacti love cold wintering, but not every cactus grower is able to provide optimal conditions for this. In this case, the plants are forced to winter at an air temperature of + 17-25 degrees. Warm wintering should be accompanied by rare irrigation so that the soil can dry well.

When using hard water for irrigation, in which there is a lot of lime, light brown formations appear on the lower part of the plant. It is a plaque that gradually turns into a cortical growth. Often this happens with those types of cacti that grow without thorns. Many inexperienced gardeners can take the appearance of growths for the disease, unaware that in fact they are ordinary salt deposits, ingesting the “body” of the cactus. To prevent such situations, you need to water the plants with filtered or boiled water.

Video - How to care for cacti

Instruction

When replanting a cactus, choose a pot depending on the shape of the root system. Straighten the roots, if they are more directed to the side, plant in a wide but shallow container. Plant with an elongated base, place in a deep pot, but narrow. Excess place cactus to anything, the size must match the root system.

For planting cactus metal packaging is not suitable, choose the best clay. Clay is a good natural material. Metal pots from moisture will begin to rust, it can harm the plant. The vessels of another material have holes in the bottom so that the root has access to the air.

At the bottom of the pot, in which you transplant the cactus, put the drainage: expanded clay, crushed gravel, red brick or foam. The soil used should have a neutral and preferably a weakly acidic environment. Do not add humus, nitrogen contained in large quantities is harmful to the plant. It becomes more susceptible to various diseases.

Add fertilizers containing calcium, potassium and phosphorus in small quantities during the warm season. For planting cacti, flower shops sell special substrates adapted to their usual environment. Prepare a mixture of turf and leaf earth, sand, charcoal and lime. The soil should be loose.

Cactus needs constant light. Place it on the windowsill under the bright rays. If the sun is too hot, shade the window with light paper. If there is not enough light, place a desk lamp nearby. Do not change the position of the pot, do not twist it, put it on one cozy place with enough light, without drafts and additional heating devices.

Cactus does not like too dry and hot air. Do not place it near batteries. Ventilate the room by removing the draining pot. In the warm season, do it more often, in the cold - less. Although the plants are thermophilic, the low winter temperature of 5-15º is well tolerated.

Cactus, like any plant, needs watering. It is easier for it to maintain dry soil than it is over wet. Too wet earthen mixture contributes to the decay of the root system. In winter, water the cactus 1-2 times a month. In the summer, every day, in the morning, so that the water can soak in the evening.

For irrigation, use liquid boiled or distilled at room temperature. In winter, warm the water a little, so that it is slightly warm. In the spring, use a thawed snowy liquid or rainwater. Water the plant exclusively at the root, without touching the top. In the hot season, sprinkle a spray cactus several times a week or more often if there is a high temperature outside.