Cactus, as a member of the succulent plant family, has won the favor of many gardening enthusiasts and indoor plant lovers with its unique form, tenacious vitality and beautiful flowers. This article will introduce how to successfully plant and maintain succulents from the basic characteristics of cactus, preparation before planting, planting steps, daily maintenance and common problems.
The basic characteristics of cactus
Cactus is a family of succulent plants, its main characteristics include unique shape, strong adaptability, like dry environment. The appearance of cactus features are very unique, usually cylindrical, oblate columns or balls, and some varieties are branched. The surface is covered with a hard layer of spines, which vary in shape and size from species to species. Some cacti show beautiful colors when their flowers open.
Cacti are succulents whose stems and leaves store water, allowing them to survive in dry environments. This also allows the cactus to be watered less frequently for a longer period of time and adapt to dry conditions. The surface of cacti is usually covered with hard spines, and some varieties may have fine hair. This structure is both an appearance feature and a natural defense mechanism that protects against herbivores while also reducing water evaporation.
Cactus is very adaptable to the environment and can grow in different climates and soil conditions. This makes cactus a relatively easy to maintain plant, suitable for beginners. Although cactus are generally characterized by their fleshy and spiny characteristics, many species of cactus also exhibit beautiful flowers when they bloom, and some species even exhibit bright colors on their flowers.
Preparation before planting
1. Choose the right variety
For beginners, it is recommended to choose varieties that are easy to grow and maintain, such as spherical cactus (such as prickly pear, star cactus) and columnar cactus (such as fairy column, Euphorbia cactus). These varieties are adaptable, grow at moderate rates, and some have beautiful flowers that add ornamental value.
2. Prepare containers and soil
Cactus is more suitable for growing in a sturdy container, you can choose a good permeability and small diameter pot. This will prevent the soil from getting too wet and causing the roots to rot. When choosing soil, cactus likes sandy soil, so it is more appropriate to choose soil with good permeability and high sand content. It is generally recommended to use loose media such as vermiculite, perlite, river sand as culture soil to enhance the water permeability and air permeability of the soil.
3. Tools and auxiliary materials
Get some basic gardening tools, such as a small shovel, scissors, watering can, etc. In addition, you can also prepare some auxiliary materials, such as stones, sand, etc., for laying the basin surface to increase water drainage.
Plant steps
1. Treated plant
Before planting, the cactus needs to be treated briefly. First, check the roots of the cactus for damage or rot. If necessary, trim the damaged part with scissors and apply some fungicide to the wound to disinfect it. Then, put the cactus in a cool and ventilated place to dry and wait for planting.
2. Laying basin floor
Lay a layer of stone or sand on the bottom of the basin to increase water drainage and prevent water from causing root rot. The thickness of the laying is about 1/3 of the height of the pelvic floor.
3. Fill soil
Fill the pot with prepared soil about 2-3 cm below the mouth of the pot. Gently compact the soil with your hands to bind it tightly to the pelvic floor.
4. Plant cactus
Put the treated cactus into the pot, completely cover the roots with soil, and gently compact the soil so that the cactus and the soil are tightly combined. Be careful not to cover the spines or leaves of the cactus with soil, so as not to affect its normal growth.
5. Basin laying
Lay a layer of stone or sand on the basin surface to increase water drainage and aesthetics. The thickness of the laying is about 1-2 cm.
6.water
After planting, it is necessary to water the cactus once. When watering, be careful not to wet the upper part of the plant, so as not to accumulate water on the leaves or thorns, causing rot. After watering, place the cactus in a cool and ventilated place and wait for it to adapt to the new environment.
Daily maintenance
1. watering
Cactus are dry plants, so water them moderately. During the growing season, wait until the soil is completely dry before watering each time, so as not to cause root rot. During the winter dormant period, reduce the amount of watering and keep the soil slightly wet. You can tell if you need to water by looking at the color and feel of the soil. When the soil is lighter in color and dry to the touch, it is time to water.
2. Rational fertilization
Cactus have low nutritional requirements and do not require frequent fertilization. During the growing season, the cactus can be given a diluted succulent fertilizer once a month or once every two months. Be careful not to over-fertilize, so as not to damage the growth of cactus. Fertilizers containing phosphorus, potassium and other elements can be selected to help promote the growth and flowering of cactus.
3. Provide plenty of sunlight
Cactus like bright sunlight, so you need to choose a sufficient light location. Indoor cactus can choose to face south or west of the window, so that they can get as much sunlight as possible throughout the day. In the summer high temperature, you need to avoid strong direct sunlight, you can use sunshade nets and other ways to block. If the indoor light is insufficient, you can use plant lights to fill the light.
4. Suitable temperature and humidity
Cactus is suitable for a wide temperature range, generally growing best between 15℃ and 30℃. In the winter dormant period, the cactus can be placed in a lower temperature environment (about 5℃-10℃) to stimulate its dormancy and flower bud differentiation. At the same time, cactus do not like high humidity environment, so pay attention to maintain proper ventilation and humidity. Indoor humidity can be reduced by opening Windows for ventilation and using dehumidifiers.
5. Regular cleaning
The leaves of a cactus need to be properly cleaned to keep it beautiful. A soft, damp cloth can be used to gently wipe the leaf surface to remove dust and dirt. Be careful not to use too rough cloth or chemical cleaners, so as not to damage the leaf surface.
6. Pest control
Cactus may suffer from pests and germs during growth, and need to be treated in time to prevent the spread of germs. Common pests are aphids, red spiders, etc., can be controlled with pesticides. Common pathogens are anthrax, soft rot, etc., can use fungicides for control. In the prevention and control of pests and diseases, pay attention to the use of the instructions, to avoid excessive use of plant damage.
Common problem handling
1. Root rot
Root rot is usually caused by too much watering or poor soil drainage. In this case, the amount of watering should be adjusted in time, the frequency of watering should be reduced, and the soil drainage should be checked. If the root has been severely rotted, the rotten part needs to be removed, and the wound with a disinfectant to disinfect, and then replanted.
2. Leaf yellowing
The yellow leaves may be due to a lack of nutrients or insufficient sunlight in the cactus. Fertilize properly, increase nutrient supply, and position cacti so that they can receive more sunlight. If the yellowing of the leaves is caused by over-watering, it is necessary to reduce the watering amount and increase ventilation.
3. Slow growth
The slow growth of cactus can be caused by insufficient nutrients, insufficient light, or too low temperatures. These factors can be checked and adjusted to promote cactus growth. At the same time, also be careful not to over-fertilize or water, so as not to cause damage to the cactus.
4. nonflowering
The failure of the palm to bloom may be caused by insufficient nutrients, insufficient light, or inappropriate temperatures. It can increase the amount of fertilizer, provide sufficient sunlight and suitable temperature to promote the flowering of cactus. In addition, be careful not to over-prune or interfere with the growth of the cactus, so as not to affect its normal flowering.
Conclusion
Cactus is loved for its unique form, tenacious vitality and beautiful flowers. By understanding the basic characteristics of cactus, making preparation before planting, following the correct planting steps, and conducting daily maintenance and troubleshooting, we can successfully grow and maintain healthy and beautiful cactus succulents. Hope this article can provide you with some useful reference and help.
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