How to grow cacti at home so that they bloom?

Hello dear florists! Anyone who loves cacti knows all about these plants, and it will be useful for beginners to learn how to grow, transplant, how to care for a cactus at home.

When will the thorny pet bloom?

With proper care, the cactus will be able to please with its wonderful flowers by spring. The most important thing is proper watering.

How to water this plant, this question is of primary concern. Only Schlumberger needs frequent watering, and other varieties do not. But all species prefer wintering dry and cool.

• From November to March, it is better to keep them on a veranda with sufficient lighting or on a glazed balcony.
• At this time, they do not require fertilization.
• Often watering is also not necessary, a quarter of a glass once a month is enough.
• The frequency of watering should be reduced already in November so that the pet goes well for the winter.
• Bring the pots home in March. During this period, they must be sprayed with water. After a week, you can start watering, then add top dressing with potassium and phosphorus. Buds should appear very soon.
• It should be noted that flowering cacti do not like permutations. Put them in one place and do not touch.
• In summer, water should be watered 3 times a week, but so as not to flood the plant too much, otherwise the roots will begin to rot.

Grooming begins with choosing a pot. A cactus likes to grow in a plastic pot rather than a clay pot. The soil must be loose so that air can pass to the roots.

You can buy a universal soil, or you can prepare it yourself by mixing earth, sand, small pebbles in equal parts.

How to care for a cactus to bloom

All growers can't wait for their pet to bloom. How to grow thorny seedlings to see the long-awaited color? Experienced florists recommend getting vaccinated.

Cut off a small part. Then transplant the cutting of an already flowering plant into the place of the cut. If the transplant is successful, then wait for flowering. If the buds did not appear, then the procedure must be repeated.

Connect the stalk and scion so that the cut surfaces coincide. Tie them with a thick thread, move them to a warm place with little light, cover with a jar. The vaccination will grow in 2 weeks.

How to make it bloom? The first is to provide winter peace. After coming out of dormancy, do not water immediately, but only sprinkle with water at room temperature twice a week. If the sun's rays hit the cacti, they can get burned.

How to transplant? Prepare a shallow pot that is the right size. In a pot that is too wide, this flower will not break buds. The best pots are those sold in flower shops.A week before the transplant, do not fertilize or water 7 days before the transplant.

When replanting, do not disturb the root system, do not shake off, do not clean the soil. Pour new soil into the pot, plant the seedling carefully. Watering should be done after 5 days, not earlier. If the transplant was carried out according to the rules, wait for the buds to appear.

Place the transplanted seedling on a western or eastern windowsill with soft lighting. On the south window, house cacti can get burned.

How to apply top dressing. When the cacti begin to move away from hibernation, they will need regular feeding with ready-made fertilizers specifically for the cacti that are sold in stores.

Tips for novice growers

How to make your thorn bloom? With proper care, a beautiful flowering can be expected in the 2nd year of life. Mamillaria and rebuts bloom quickly. Some species will please with flowering only after 10-15 years.

Novice cactus growers keep their thorns at room temperature all year round. This should not be done. At rest, they are not afraid of even freezing temperatures.

Compliance with the minimum watering in winter will benefit them. You don't even need to water at all! Seeing shriveled plants - don't worry! This is not scary, in the spring they will quickly recover as soon as you start watering. It is in a state of rest that a future flower is laid for them!

During the dormant period, they also do not particularly need light. For the formation of kidneys, they need 4-5 hours of light a day. In winter, only zygocactus, schlumberger, and ripsalis bloom. 5-6 hours of lighting is enough for them.

You did everything right, but it does not bloom. Why doesn't it bloom, cactusists ask again? Probably in the spring you overdid it with the light. It can also be harmful to the kidneys.

For them, movement relative to light is contraindicated. They cannot be turned at the beginning of flowering, otherwise they will shed their buds and that's it, you have to wait for next year.

Blooming pet loves fresh air, so do not neglect airing, especially on spring days.

Do not fertilize during the budding period so that your pet does not lose all the color.

Add after flowering.

For some reason, everyone is used to thinking that the cactus blooms very rarely. Create favorable conditions for him and he will delight you with flowers every spring.

Varieties of flowering cacti

Check out the photos and names of these desert plants that grow well at home.

Decembrist

The most familiar representative for us is the Schumberger or the Decembrist. It has no thorns and blooms in winter when other species are resting.

Hatiora

Another species that came to us from the tropics of Brazil is hatiora or ripsalis. He opens beautiful yellow bells.

Aporocactus

Aporocactus looks very nice. Its stems, covered with thin spines, can reach five meters in length.

Epiphyllum

Another beautiful, long-blooming species is the epiphyllum. This group includes 20 subspecies. It has long stems, often flat, but also triangular. Instead of thorns, they have jagged edges. It blooms in bouquets from snow-white to purple hue.

Ariocarpus

Thorn lovers are very proud of the flowering specimen called Ariocarpus. These are small plants with elongated stems, from which beautiful red, yellow or white inflorescences appear in the spring.

Mammillaria

The cactus of the Mammillaria family is widely known to flower growers. He is loved for beautiful bouquets of various shades. A small plant is cylindrical or spherical in shape. The space between the needles is filled with whitish hairs.

Austrocylindropuntium subulata

A specimen with amazingly shaped leaves is called austrocylindropuntia subulata, and in the people "Eve's Needle". The plant is endowed with juicy leaves, and it blooms with huge beautiful inflorescences.

Prickly pear

Opuntia is also a fairly popular herb.Her branches look like pancakes, but not all thorn lovers have it blooming. Only after proper care can you see the extraordinary yellow flowers.

Cephalocereus

Every cactusist wants to have an unusual specimen - a cephalocereus or "wax head". The entire surface of the seedling is covered with long, like gray, thin hair.

Gruzoni

A spherical cactus is called Gruzoni. It does not bloom, but it attracts attention with its multi-colored thorns. The colors can be very different: from light green, pale yellow, to maroon. It grows slowly, but with proper care it can grow up to a meter tall. Not afraid of cold and dryness.

Espostoy

The "hairy" cactus called espostoia attracts attention. It practically does not bloom, and if it releases a bud, then only at night. Many connoisseurs of this beauty do not sleep at night to photograph a rare flower.

Spurge

A fairly common plant in our homes. Experienced thorny pet lovers appreciate it not only for its appearance, but also for its cleansing properties. It is placed in the kitchen or in a room with a computer.

Do not trust children to be near the flower. Its juice is too poisonous!

Echinopsis

It grows in many homes and offices, but not everyone can achieve such a lush bloom. With the right care, you can achieve amazing results.

Even a single bunch pleases every lover of thorny pets.

Gymnokalycium Mikhanovich

It has a low stem, on which rather large flowers bloom, reaching up to 8 centimeters in diameter.

The colors of the buds can be very different. Pure white buds look very beautiful. This species has several varieties that cactusists willingly give birth to.

Dear flower growers, growing beautiful flowers, you not only decorate the interior, but also purify the air in the apartment, it is not for nothing that they are placed near TVs and computers. For beginners, growing cacti will be the most interesting hobby. Try it!

Also on our website you can read: home healers - medicinal indoor plants.

A cactus is a succulent, that is, it can accumulate water and fully exist in an arid climate. At home, it has a huge advantage over other plants, since it does not need to be watered often. However, a young grower should know how to care for a cactus so that this plant does not get sick and does not die.

Varieties of cacti

There are many varieties of home cactus that differ in their growth rate, the shape of the main trunk, flowering time, and even the quality of the thorns. In some species, with proper care, beautiful flowers appear on the crown, thanks to which they can effectively decorate almost any interior.

Some varieties of cactus:

1. The aporocactus is whip-like. It is represented by thin hanging stems, the thickness of which does not exceed 1 cm. It blooms in spring. The flowers are elongated and deep pink. Easy to grow, looks good in hanging baskets.
2. Astrophytum Capricorn. It has a rounded shape and dark green color with silvery splashes. It becomes more elongated as it grows. The spines are long, curved. The main feature is the appearance of a pale yellow chamomile-shaped flower on the crown.
3. Cereus Peruvian. In height, this cactus can reach 0.5-1 m. The stem is uneven, has many branches throughout its growth. It blooms with long flowers.
4. Chamecereus Silvestri. Stems are thin, multiple. During flowering, bright red flowers bloom on them, which looks very impressive.
5. Strauss's Cleistocactus. A distinctive feature of this type of succulent is its silvery color. The shade is given to it by a large number of white villi and thorns over the entire surface of the stem.
6. Echinocereus comb. A dark green cactus with small thorns, which in adulthood does not reach a height of more than 25 cm.It blooms with bright pink fragrant flowers.
7. Gymnokalycium Mikhanovich. It is a bright colored stem, which is grafted onto a green cactus stock. This variety looks original and very bright.
8. Cactus Mammillaria Bokasskaya. A plant with silvery spines that is oval in shape. It blooms with delicate flowers that are located around the top of the stem.
9. Notocactus Otto. It has a cylindrical stem and very dense spines. Blooms in a large chamomile flower at the base.
10. Opuntia is fine-haired. A cactus looks like a set of flattened blades sprouting from each other. The spines are small, white or red.

Succulent plants do not always bloom, but only with proper care. If there are no flowers on the plant, it means that the conditions of detention are not fully met.

How to care for a cactus: basic rules

To properly care for a cactus, you need to know a few basic principles and always adhere to them. The plant should create the most comfortable environment for its proper growth and development.

What you need to know before buying a succulent:

• the cactus grows in periods, growth retardation and stem elongation are quite pronounced;
• the plant does not tolerate excess water in the soil, which can cause the root system to rot;
• during the growth period for a flower pot, it is better to choose a place carefully illuminated by sunlight;
• in the winter season, the plant requires a lower air temperature and shading;
• before buying it, you need to carefully examine it for the presence of diseases, pests on the surface and evaluate its appearance;
• in order to properly care for a cactus, you need to know exactly what it looks like.

However, in addition to these rules, there are many more nuances that must be taken into account in caring for a succulent. It is required to choose the right pot and substrate, to ensure the optimal air temperature, watering and fertilization.

Optimal plant conditions

Cacti in the house require no less attention than any other plant. First of all, for them you need to choose a suitable place that will meet all the requirements put forward by the plant.

• It is recommended to approach the purchase of a succulent pot with special care. Its volume should not exceed the diameter of the root system by more than 1 cm. Those cacti that have an elongated rhizome need an elongated dish. If the roots of the plant do not go deep, it is better to choose a flat pot.
• The cactus should be placed on the windowsill from the southwest side - there should be a lot of sunlight. Some species can tolerate shade, but most plants die from this.
• Also, a succulent needs a lot of fresh air for full growth. It will need to be moisturized during the hot season.
• The room temperature is suitable for cacti, but in winter they need to be kept cool.

How to water properly at different times of the year?

It is necessary to water the plant correctly, since its appearance directly depends on this. In the summer, the liquid should enter the soil more often than in the winter.

• On hot and sunny days of summer, watering is carried out once a week. If it's not hot outside, you can water the cactus once every 1.5 weeks.
• The winter period is a hibernation for the succulent, so you need to water the cactus once every 2 weeks or even less often.

It is not recommended to water the cactus daily and little by little, like many houseplants. On the contrary, this is how the roots of the succulent lose air and quickly rot.

Transplanting a cactus at home

To transplant a succulent plant, you need to choose the right pot and use a suitable substrate. The container for transplanting is required to choose a clay or plastic. Clay dries faster and is therefore suitable for mature plants. Rooting is best done in a plastic container, as the liquid evaporates more slowly from it.

For transplanting, you can purchase a special soil for succulents or prepare it yourself.

It consists of the following components:

• leafy land;
• turf;
• humus;
• coarse river sand;
• charcoal;
• brick chips.

This composition provides the substrate with friability and good moisture conductivity. Homemade soil must be disinfected in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

It is recommended to transplant a cactus no more than once a year. This should be done after wintering, that is, not earlier than April.

How to transplant a succulent plant correctly:

1. In a few days, you need to completely stop watering. This will ensure good separation of the root system from the substrate and pot.
2. Place a good layer of drainage in a new container at the bottom. They can be broken brick chips or any small stones.
3. Then comes a layer of charcoal, which will ensure the disinfection of the root system and soil.
4. After that, pour the soil into the pot, make a depression in it according to the size of the roots.
5. Gently, using gloves, take the cactus by the trunk and separate it from the previous container. Hands can shake off some of the excess soil.
6. Place the plant in a new pot, cover with earth and level.
7. Cover the plant with a jar for 3-5 days and water it daily with a small amount of water during this period.

Correct feeding and fertilization

Top dressing must begin after wintering, not earlier than March, and end in September. You only need to use special formulations for fertilization, which are designed specifically for cacti. Common house flower food contains a lot of nitrogen, which is harmful to succulents. Fertilizing the soil is required no more than 1 time in two weeks.

How to propagate and plant?

The easiest way to propagate is by cuttings. At a certain period, "babies" appear on the cactus, from which it is quite easy to grow a new plant. They must be carefully separated from the mother trunk using a sharp knife or other suitable object.

It is recommended to dry the cactus for several days to prevent root rot during rooting. Then you can plant the offshoot in a suitable soil. Caring for a small cactus during the rooting period is the daily moistening of the substrate surface with a little water.

Winter cactus care: nuances

Caring for a cactus in winter includes several basic rules.

• For a succulent, it will be necessary to lower the air temperature, and it is also advisable to remove it in a shaded place.
• The room temperature should be about 5-15 degrees, but not higher. If it is not possible to transfer the flower pot, it must at least be protected from the battery using a protective structure. You can build it yourself from a glass sheet.
• Watering is reduced to 2 times a month, and feeding is limited completely until March.

With proper care of a cactus, it will definitely bloom and will decorate the interior of any home with its appearance. This succulent plant blooms with beautiful buds, but the grower will have to work hard to enjoy this amazing sight.

Read about caring for a cactus at home: lighting, temperature, soil. We consider in detail how to properly water a cactus in spring, summer, autumn and winter (frequency, methods, water for irrigation).

We also describe what fertilizer is needed for cacti, how to transplant, propagate and grow from seeds at home.

Lighting and temperature for a cactus at home

Caring for a cactus at home is quite simple, as the plants themselves are hardy and unpretentious, but knowledge, skills and attentiveness are still required from us.

Lighting and temperature

Light for cacti is very important for development and growth. They like a lot of sunlight (light-loving), so it is better to place them on the south window, if there is none, then on the west or east.

If the cactus grows on the north side, then it needs additional lighting. An insufficient amount of light manifests itself in a thinning of the apex.

• There are no shade-loving plant species, there are only some shade-tolerant ones.

Summer

Bright sun rays in summer rarely harm the flower; only forest species (ripsalis, etc.) recommend shading.

It is useful to ventilate and expose cacti to fresh air (balcony, veranda), but at the same time protect from dust, rain and wind. Cover them with plastic wrap in rainy weather.

By gradually increasing the airing time, the plants adapt to the outdoors and after 2-3 weeks they can be kept outdoors around the clock, until the end of summer.

Night changes in temperature strengthen the skin of the cactus, endow it with shiny thorns, allow them to winter more easily, increase resistance to disease and improve flowering. Drafts are the main danger.

Winter

In winter, cacti are difficult to tolerate dry air with high temperatures. Place the flower on the windowsill farther from the battery and closer to the glass (no touching!).

• The optimum temperature for cacti will be 16-24 ° С.It is better for cacti to winter at 10-15 ° С and without drafts. Epiphytic species need a warmer place.

Most species of such genera have more chances to bloom during a warm winter: Aporocactus, Gymnocalycium, Melocactus, Notocactus, Parodia and Rhipsalis.

The rest of the species need a cold wintering (8-13 ° C) for flowering. In room conditions, it is difficult to achieve such a temperature, because heating radiators are located next to the windowsill.

Therefore, flower growers either take the plants out to a cool balcony, loggia, or protect them from a heat source using partitions made of thick cardboard, foam and other materials at hand.

IMPORTANT: The cactus does not like frequent rearrangements. Do not turn it the other side to the light (put a mark on the pot so as not to be mistaken), for a more even growth - it is absolutely impossible to do this during budding and the beginning of flowering!

SEE ALSO:

1. HOW IMPORTANT IS THE CORRECT LIGHTING FOR PLANTS?

2. WHAT LAMPS IS BETTER FOR LIGHTING HOME FLOWERS?

3. WHAT TEMPERATURE REGIME WILL BE OPTIMAL IN HOME CONDITIONS?

Such a lonely and such a beautiful cactus ...

How to properly water a cactus at home?

Many growers think about how to water a cactus at home and do it right, because watering plays a very important role in the life of a plant.

For watering cacti, it is recommended to use only soft water. You can water them from above into a pot or into a pan - both methods are correct.

Next, we will tell you in detail about watering the plant at home in all seasons.

How often should a cactus be watered? (winter spring Summer Autumn)

Winter

From November to early March, cacti have a dormant period. At this time, the need for moisture is minimal. In order for the cactus to bloom, you need a low temperature and poor watering.

Large and old specimens are watered once every 4 weeks, and small ones more often - once every 14-20 days with a small amount of water (literally one or two tablespoon). You can spray cacti with warm water once a month - before budding and flowering and water once a month.

During the period of budding and the beginning of flowering, epiphytic cacti and prickly pears can be watered, and cereus are only sprayed with warm water. Waterlogging leads to the fact that "babies" grow from buds instead of flowers.

• Many flower growers recommend not watering cacti at all in winter and get excellent results of flowering and further development.

The editors of the "Holiday of Flowers" magazine remind you that you need to remember the specific features. If in doubt, water your cacti in the winter using the gentle regimen described above.

Spring

As the temperature rises and the amount of light increases, cacti "come to life" and the need for water gradually increases.

Watering cacti in the spring is recommended to start after the beginning of growth (young green skin at the top): March - once every 12-16 days, April - once every 8-12 days, May - once every 5-7 days.

Spray about once every 14-20 days. The terms are approximate for central Russia, the principle is the same: the warmer and lighter, the more often.

Summer

In summer, cacti are watered most often, as the maximum growth and intensive development of the plant occurs.

How often should a cactus be watered in summer?

Most species recommend watering in the morning every day or every other day with a little water. An exception is cloudy weather; watering is not required on such a day.

Autumn

In the fall, the cactus is gradually prepared for a dormant period and subsequent flowering. They are watered less and less along with a decrease in temperature: September - once every 5-7 days, October - once every 10-14 days.

From November to March (dormant period), once every 25-30 days, a small amount.

General rule: watering cacti is better less and less than more and more.

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2. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WATER HOME FLOWERS?

3. WHAT WATER DO HOUSE PLANTS NEED AND HOW TO PREPARE IT?

4. HOW TO WATER ROOM FLOWERS DURING VACATION?

Top dressing and fertilizers

The use of fertilizers for cacti is covered in different ways in the literature and is accompanied by a long debate. We can say for sure that cacti need a small amount of nitrogen and an excess of it leads to improper plant development.

Therefore, organic fertilizers are not recommended for use, except for small doses for rapidly growing and epiphytic species.

Cacti need calcium and phosphorus, and potassium during the flowering period. Therefore, it is better to use a special fertilizer for cacti and succulents.

Fertilizer "Cactus" with a balanced composition of micro- and macroelements is quite popular. Release form - 0.5 liter bottle.

Universal feeding period: from April to early September every two weeks.

ATTENTION!

• The growth and flowering period of cacti often does not coincide, so do not fertilize in winter when the plant is blooming. For these species, you can slightly increase the watering.
• Do not apply fertilizer to cacti after or before transplanting.

CREATE KNOWLEDGE:

1. WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF FERTILIZERS AND HOW TO USE THEM?

2. WHAT HOME AND NATURAL FERTILIZERS ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE?

3. HOW TO FEED ROOM PLANTS CORRECTLY?

Different types of cacti

Transplanting a cactus at home + soil

It is best to replant the cactus from late March to late May. Young plants are transplanted every year, and adults (from 4 years old) every 2-3 years before the start of active vegetation (March).

Transplant plan

1. Do not water the flower 3-4 days before transplanting for the convenience of separating the soil from the roots.
2. At the bottom of the pot, be sure to use a drainage layer (2-4 cm) - stagnant water is contraindicated for cacti (especially for epiphytes). Fill the holes with shards, pour fine gravel, expanded clay, charcoal or coarse sand on top.
3. Depending on the depth of the pot and the length of the roots, a 2-4 cm layer of soil mixture is poured on top of the drainage. The plant is placed on the ground and the roots are straightened, while the base of the cactus should be in line with the edge of the pot.
4. After that, they begin to fall asleep around the substrate to the root collar, periodically shaking the pot and compacting the soil. A 1 cm layer of sand can be poured on top of the substrate.
5. The first 3-4 days after transplanting a cactus, do not water it or place it in direct sunlight.

How to choose a cactus pot?

The main thing is that the volume of the cactus pot is not much larger than the volume in the expanded form of the root system and takes into account the peculiarities of the species.

Example: Ariocarpus is suitable for a deeper than a wide pot, and for mammillaria many children appear and many plants grow in one dish over time.

For specimens with short and branched roots, a low and wide pot is selected, for a cactus with long roots or a rod type, a deeper and narrower one is suitable.

Form... Between the square and round shape of the container, it is better to choose the second option. However, if you have a large number of cacti or are constantly expanding your collection, then square or rectangular pots save space on the windowsill and are easier to carry on a tray to another location.

Material. Both plastic and clay are suitable. Cacti are not picky about the material, they do not recommend using only a metal container.

Soil mix

The soil for cacti differs depending on its type, age, etc. Experienced florists can find various examples of the substrate.

The general features are as follows: the soil for a cactus should be loose, slightly acidic (pH = 4.5 - 6), light and nutritious (the ratio of minerals is different).

A typical DIY potting mix would be leafy soil and river sand (1: 1) + some peat (acidity) and powder with small pieces of hardwood charcoal.

Young plants and seedlings need a looser and more nutritious potting mix (increase the amount of leafy soil). A denser substrate is suitable for adult plants; for this, clay-sod soil is added to it.

• Tricks: for rapidly growing species, it is useful to add humus to the substrate. For cacti with a lot of thorns, it is useful to add crushed eggshells to the mixture.

HELPFUL INFORMATION:

1. SECRETS OF CORRECT TRANSFER OF ROOM PLANTS!

2. WHAT SOIL MIX COMPONENTS HOW TO USE?

3. WHEN TO REPLAY ROOM FLOWERS ON THE LUNAR CALENDAR?

How do cacti breed?

The cactus can be propagated vegetatively or using seeds.

How to grow cacti from seeds at home?

To grow a cactus from seeds, it is better to use seeds from a store, since at home, due to over-pollination, related specimens are crossed.

In order to grow cacti from seeds at home, you need to be patient and work hard.

1. Cactus seeds are disinfected in a solution with manganese.
2. The substrate is poured in a layer of 1-2 cm, moistened and seeds are laid out on top. Then they are covered with a film or wall.
3. Air cactus seeds 1-2 times a day and keep the soil mixture moist.
4. After the appearance of the first thorns (depending on the type, seeds can germinate from 2-3 days to 2-3 months), the sprouts are transplanted into containers with a more nutritious substrate than in adult cacti.
5. When the seedlings are about three months old, they are cared for in the same way as adult cacti.

• Advice: cactus seeds are best planted so that they germinate in March-April.

Propagation of cacti by cuttings

It is more convenient and efficient to propagate cacti by cuttings. Many species have lateral babies with rudimentary roots that can be easily separated and can be immediately planted in the potting mix.

Cacti that do not have children are a little more difficult to propagate:

1.Cut off a healthy shoot or stem section.

2. The cut site is dried in the sun for 3-4 days and then planted in a moist soil mixture.

How to plant cacti correctly? Video

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Pests and diseases

An excess of moisture, especially in winter, leads to the formation of rot. When the roots rot, the cactus is taken out of the pot, the roots are washed with running water, and dried.

Then rotted leaves and stems, soft and dark roots are cut off, and also treated with an antiseptic (only roots). Plant the cactus in a new pot and do not water until it begins to grow.

Of the pests, cactus affects: spider mites, aphids, scale insects and mealybugs.

• The main thing is to inspect the plant weekly through a magnifying glass and avoid excessively dry air. Remember that regular inspection is much easier and more enjoyable than pest control or disease treatment.

FLOWER REMINDER:

1. PESTS OF ROOM FLOWERS WITH PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTIONS!

2. HOW TO REMOVE PESTS IN HOME CONDITIONS?

3. POPULAR DISEASES OF HOUSEHOLD PLANTS!

If you have questions about how to care for a cactus at home, you can ask them in the comments.

After personal computers began to appear in people's homes, it became fashionable to place cacti around them. Many believe that such a plant has the ability to reduce the level of harmful radiation or completely absorb it. But after some time, most of the PC users began to notice that their cacti for some reason wither and die. And the thing is that, despite its unpretentiousness and resistance to drought, this plant needs some care.

It should be understood that you need to care for cacti and deciduous houseplants in different ways. If you want a cactus to become a real decoration of your apartment, then before starting it, you need to ask how to properly care for it and what can harm this unusual flower.

Features of cacti

The homeland of cacti is America. In the wild, cacti are capable of growing to significant sizes. Desert cacti thrive and thrive in the harsh semi-desert conditions found in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Bolivia. Forest cacti in natural conditions can be found in the tropical jungle. Desert as well as forest species of cactus have significant differences, and in this regard, how to care for a cactus is determined by its type.

Varieties

At home, dwarf cacti are often grown, they were born with the help of breeders. You can purchase a huge number of miniature varieties, while placing several dozen of them on the windowsill will not be difficult.

The most popular of the domestic desert cacti are such as: Echinocereus Knippel and crested, Peruvian Cereus, Aporocactus lash-shaped, Notocactus, prickly pear, dwarf rebution, Echinopsis, Echinocactus Gruson, Chamecereus asterozoa Sylstofystumy, Espieroglaya asterocereus.

The varieties of forest cacti grown at home do not have external similarities with the cacti that are familiar to everyone. In the wild, they prefer to grow under or on trees. At home, epiphyllum, ripsalidopsis, and zygocactus (Christmas or Decembrist) are most often grown.

Features of room care

In the event that you purchased this plant not to protect yourself from radiation, but to decorate the apartment, then try to choose the most suitable place for it.

Desert cactus species require a lot of sunlight. In this regard, experts advise that they should be placed on a window with a southern or eastern orientation. And the varieties of forest cacti, including zygocactus, are recommended to be placed on windows with a north or west orientation. If you place a Christmas tree on a south-facing window, then its leaf plates will become faded, and failures will begin between the periods of flowering and dormancy.

In summer, these plants are best taken out into fresh air (balcony). If the apartment is very warm in winter, then for the cacti it is necessary to maintain high humidity. However, it should be borne in mind that in winter, almost all varieties of cacti have a dormant period. In this regard, it is recommended to transfer them to a cool room (from 15 to 17 degrees) and place them in partial shade or shade.

Although the plant is drought-resistant, it cannot be watered at all. It is allowed to skip one watering, but it is better to carry out this procedure as needed and do not forget that the cactus, like all other plants, needs water. For watering, you must use water at room temperature, which must be defended throughout the day. If possible, it is recommended to water the cacti with rain or melt water.

Approximate watering plan:

• in spring and summer - daily or once every two days;
• autumn period - once every 5–7 days;
• winter period - once every 1–1.5 weeks.

The basic principle of watering is that the more abundant and more often the watering will be, the warmer it is in the room.

It should also be remembered that the cactus grows actively in the warm months, while it begins to bloom in the cold season. In the event that you want your cactus to bloom, then he just needs to arrange a dormant period.

Transplanting cacti

It is necessary to transplant a cactus only when it becomes cramped in the pot. This procedure is carried out in the spring, at a time when the period of intensive growth begins. 2–3 days before the transplant, the cactus should be stopped watering, since the soil should freely crumble from the roots. In order not to hurt yourself on the cactus, it must be wrapped in several layers of paper or high-density fabric.

Young specimens require an annual transplant, and those who are 3 or 4 years old need this procedure once every few years.

The container for planting must be chosen compact, so that the root system fits into it, and there is no empty space. At the bottom of the pot, you need to lay out a drainage layer and add a small amount of the substrate. After that, you need to hold the plant with your hand and lower its roots into the container. At the same time, with the other hand, you need to slowly pour the soil into the container until it fills the pot. In this case, the surface of the soil should be one centimeter below the edge of the container. The base of the stem must not be buried in the substrate. In order to pour the soil into the pot more densely, you need to systematically tap on its walls. The optimal composition of the soil mixture for this plant: washed river sand, peat, leaf earth and charcoal. The soil needs slightly acidic and loose. If you wish, you can buy soil mixture for cacti in a special store.

Reproduction of cacti

Cacti can be propagated by seed, as well as by shoots. The second method is very simple and effective, and therefore is more popular with flower growers. However, those who consider themselves a true cactus breeder will definitely want to grow a cactus from seed with their own hands. However, it should be borne in mind that this breeding method is rather complicated and ineffective.

For propagation in a vegetative way, shoots are used, which are taken from adult specimens. Such cuttings, as a rule, have small roots, and in this regard, rooting is quite quick and easy.

The seeds of these plants purchased in a special store must be disinfected by immersing them for a while in a strong solution of potassium manganese. After that, they are germinated by placing them in a humid environment. In the seeds of some species, sprouts may appear after a day, while others will take several weeks for this.

Psychologists have found that people who are dryish and restrained in emotions most often grow cacti, but in fact they are very impressionable and vulnerable.