How to transplant a cactus: soil preparation, containers and the transplant process

Growing cacti is an interesting and exciting hobby. This special class of plants is not at all like their fellow green pets. Growing conditions, care and transplantation are strikingly different from the standard procedures to which everyone is so accustomed. That is why breeding cacti is such a fascinating process.

Bloom the same succulents are breathtaking. It would seem that something cannot blossom on such a nondescript trunk. But the plants delight with their unusual shape and incredibly beautiful flowers, large and bright. Growing cacti is a noble cause. For it to be successful, it is necessary to carefully study the issue of plant transplantation. This procedure takes an important place in the care and you need to learn how to correctly carry it out.

Content:

• Types of cacti and their features
• Reproduction methods
• Soil preparation and containers
• Transplant process
• Post-transplant care
• Diseases and pests

Types of cacti and their features

There are many types and varieties of cactus. Most of them are intended for cultivation in greenhouses or conservatories. Each species needs to create special conditions, despite the fact that the plant is quite unpretentious. When transplanting, you also need to take into account the specific features of the cactus.

At home, they usually grow:

• Rhipsalidopsis is one of the most popular home-grown cactus species. It blooms with bright crimson flowers with a red undertone.
• Forest cactus - differs from all other species in shape. For her sake, this type of plant is grown. There are no thorns on it.
• Lithops brown-headed - the plant is popular because of its unusual shape. Prefers barren, stony soils.
• Astrophytum is a spherical cactus that blooms with luxurious bright yellow flowers. Blooms at the age of 8 years.
• Mammillaria is one of the richest species in the family. These are small cacti, often neat spherical in shape. They are unpretentious and willingly bloom.
• Zygocactus - This succulent has a long flowering. Flowers look spectacular, bloom in multi-tiered, one above the other.
• Schlumberger is another species known to flower growers. Differs in long flowering.
• Cereus is the most unusual type of cactus. The plant reaches a great height - up to 20 m in nature and up to 5 m at home. The shape, flowers and coloration vary according to the cultivar.
• Echinopsis - the cactus impresses with its interesting flowering. Flowers are arranged on legs. When flowering occurs, the cactus comes to life and becomes like a character from fairy tales - alive and like an unearthly creature.

In addition to the most common types, florists like such as "Duvalia" or "Echinocereus". The first impresses with a black flower with a bright pink center. It looks like a sprawling star. The Echinocereus variety blooms with large violet-colored flowers with a bright yellow center.

Each type of cactus requires a specific soil mixture, air temperature and pot shape.

At transplant plants must take into account the type of rhizome, which can be elongated, thin and thick, not large or small. Depending on this, a container for a cactus is selected.

Reproduction methods

When transplanting cacti, the plant is usually propagated immediately. The most common breeding methods are - cuttings and kids. Experienced and sophisticated cactus growers propagate the plant seeds or vaccinations... Since we are talking about the transplantation of a cactus and the simultaneous reproduction of it, it means the separation of children or cuttings from the mother plant.

When a florist talks about propagation by cuttings or children, he means a process that is not characteristic of ordinary houseplants.

Cuttings, for example, after cutting, should be left to dry for two weeks. The cut must definitely dry out. Planting is always done in a dry soil mixture - sand or fine expanded clay. Moreover, the last substrate showed itself the best. Cuttings germinate in it much better.

The breeding method will depend on the type of cactus and the skills of the cactus grower. For example, mammillaria reproduces by babies and during transplantation they are separated from the mother plant. Therefore, before transplanting a cactus, you need to plan the breeding process at the same time.

Soil preparation and containers

Transplanting cacti is not an easy process. It is subdivided into several stages. First of all, the pot is prepared, then the substrate, and after that you can start manipulating the plant. You also need to prepare a tool - special tongs with which they support a thorny plant, a sharp knife, sulfur powder, alcohol and insecticides. All these items are prepared in case rotting is detected. root system or her defeat by various diseases.

The substrate is prepared in advance, depending on the type of cactus. You can buy ready-made potting mixes, or you can make them yourself. Crushed brick, coarse sand, marble chips, sheet earth and fine crushed stone are mixed.

Everything is mixed in equal parts. This is a universal mixture, but sometimes you have to add other components to it or remove unnecessary ones, for example:

• For cactus species with white hair, it is recommended to add eggshell powder to the substrate.
• For cereus, the presence of marble chips is very important.
• Mamillaria love leafy land.

Another important point is the preparation of components such as sand or crushed stone. They should be well rinsed and dried. Otherwise, over time, the substrate will be strongly compressed and the next transplant will cause a lot of trouble. In addition to preparing the soil, you need to take care of drainage. For this, expanded clay or broken brick is suitable, depending on the type of cactus. Everything should be ready at the time of boarding.

It is very important to choose the right container for the cactus.

It is selected depending on the type of root system. For example, a long root needs a deep pot, not a bowl, as many believe. A small root system, short and dense, requires a low flowerpot. Each cactus has its own characteristics and it is important to take them into account.

Transplant process

Three days before the transplant stops watering... The procedure is carried out either in spring or in August, depending on the type of plant. All manipulations must be carried out with extreme caution. The cactus is very sensitive to the slightest damage or scratches on the stem. If you transplant sloppily and do not follow all of its rules, the cactus will quickly die.

Features of transplanting a cactus:

• Make sure the ground is dry before touching the plant. In order to shake out the plant along with the earthy clod, knock the pot on the floor and then carefully remove it from the pot.
• Support the cactus itself with a towel or special tongs.
• If the soil in the pot was initially prepared correctly, the lump will come out without problems.However, if there was not dried sand or crumbs in the soil, clay, the substrate may not give in and not come out. In this case, the earth must be soaked. Place the pot in a container of water and leave it to soak completely for several hours. Then carefully remove the plant.
• After shaking out the earthy coma along with the cactus, the root system must be freed from the remnants of the earth.
• Examine the rhizome for damage, rot, and other diseases... If there are rotten roots, they are carefully cut off with a sharp knife or razor blade. The instrument must be disinfected with alcohol. All sections are processed with sulfur powder. If parasites are found, the plant is sprayed with insecticides.
• The root collar of the plant must be clean and free of damage. Crushed activated carbon can be used instead of sulfur powder. If the plant has been affected by any disease, pieces of charcoal can be added to the substrate.
• After inspection and pruning, it is advisable to hang the cactus and dry it for 10-15 hours.

Once all the procedures have been done, you can start transplanting into the ground:

• The pot is lined with a drainage layer of expanded clay or broken brick.
• Then a small layer of soil is filled up.
• The cactus is kept in the middle of the pot and gradually begins to fill the container with soil mixture.
• The neck of the plant should be level with the edge of the pot.

When the container is full, knock on the sides and on the floor so that the earth and the cactus settle down a little. Thus, the neck of the plant will be just below the edge of the pot - what you need. If the type of cactus does not tolerate moisture and immediately rots from the slightest waterlogging of the soil, then the top layer is lined not with soil, but with fine crushed stone.

So the neck of the plant will not rot, the upper part of the roots will not be in a humid environment. If everything was done correctly, according to the rules, the cactus will successfully take root and delight the owner with luxurious flowering.

Post-transplant care

After transplantation, the cactus is never watered. He "lives" in a dry substrate for two to three weeks. To prevent dehydration, the plant is covered with a glass cover so that moisture is maintained. As soon as the cactus has started to grow, has adapted, the cap is removed and the soil is gradually watered. After transplanting, it is not recommended to touch the plant and place it directly in bright sunlight. Let it stand in partial shade for a month.

Large cacti, tall, after transplanting, it is imperative to prop them up with special supports.

They are installed until full adaptation - for a month or two. This usually happens quickly, provided everything was done correctly. After a couple of months, you can put the plant pot in its permanent place. Gradually accustom your cactus to sunlight.

Diseases and pests

Cacti are quite resistant to diseases and pests. But non-compliance with the conditions of detention can lead to the appearance of ailments and parasites. It is very important to follow all the rules of care. The most common pests of cactus include:

• Nematoda
• Spider mite
• Mealybug
• Shield
• Root worm

Pests are eliminated with insecticides or acaricides. Be especially careful when using chemicals. Some types of cacti do not tolerate such treatments well. Always pay attention to the class of the chemical, select it according to the type of plant.

The most dangerous pest is the root worm. It lives in the root system. If a plant is infected with a root worm, it will most likely die. The main thing is to detect the defeat in time. The cactus turns pale, stops growing, the root system begins to rot. To save the specimen, the cactus is transplanted. The root system is cut and kept in an insecticide solution. This measure will save the plant, provided it is not severely damaged.

More information can be found in the video:

Of the diseases, several of the most dangerous and common ones can be distinguished. Ailments appear with improper care and maintenance of the cactus. Allocate:

• Cactus phytophthora
• Anthracnose
• Fusarium
• Rhizoctonia (affects cuttings)

When a plant is damaged by these ailments, the cactus often dies. Unfortunately, it is impossible to save him. To avoid such a situation, preventive measures should be followed. Plant the plant in steamed ground. Use clean tools when transplant... If one of the cacti is affected, it is immediately removed. If a newly purchased copy is brought into the room, it is quarantined in a separate room. It is important to follow the rules of care and maintain the conditions for keeping cacti.

Correct transplantation, acceptable growing conditions and adherence to standards for care will be the key to a healthy cactus. It will bloom beautifully and willingly.