Cactus are succulent plants that store moisture. They can be of the forest or desert type. The former are distinguished by the presence of leaf-like stems, while the latter, more common, have a fleshy, rounded, elongated or whip-like stem - a body or trunk that is covered with thorns. The thorny framing is aimed at protecting the plant, and the stems carry out photosynthesis.
For a long time, thorny plants have been given a special place, they are radically different from ornamental plants in terms of appearance and care. Due to their unpretentiousness, cactus confidently occupy a leading position in indoor floriculture. The first species of cacti in European countries appeared thanks to Columbus and the variety of the collection of flowers in the royal greenhouses.
Which cactus is better to plant at home
Among the huge variety of indoor ornamental plants, it is cacti that most often become objects for creating collections and exotic compositions. The main reason is their incredible stability and unpretentiousness, adult cacti require a minimum of care, and are unusual and beautiful plants, especially when they bloom.
Difficulties can arise only when landing. First of all, it is worth determining what kind of cactus you want to grow, which variety is suitable for growing in a room, will grow well, and will fit into the interior.
The so-called indoor cacti are suitable for growing at home and it is they who are offered for sale in stores. They grow in pots or special trays alone or several in one. Knowing how beautiful it is to plant cacti in one pot, you can create a unique decor element.
The composition of the earthen mixture
The main feature of the soil for succulents is its multicomponent. This characteristic is due to the peculiarities of the growth of indoor plants of this type.
To begin with, drainage is placed on the bottom of the container. It is needed to prevent the processes of root rotting due to stagnant moisture. Experts advise using pieces of brick, small pebbles or stone chips.
To prepare a special substrate, it is necessary to mix several ingredients, adhering to the following proportion:
- sand - 2 parts;
- peat or humus - 1 part;
- land - 1 part.
To create conditions as close to natural as possible, the earth can be mixed with small stones before adding. The main thing is not to overdo it with their number, otherwise they will interfere with the roots, as a result of which the plant will begin to die.
How to plant a cactus in a pot
If at home there is a planting of a cactus in a pot, which already has roots and has grown safely before that, then there should not be any special difficulties. First of all, the soil is selected. If the soil mixture in which the plant grew before was suitable for her, then you do not need to change anything so as not to harm. An indicator of the well-being of a cactus is the rapid growth of its stem, if everything is in order with this, then the plant has enough soil and it is not worth experimenting. If the cactus is not growing well, changing the soil can help. The soil mixture can be bought ready-made in the store, or you can combine it yourself.
Certain types of cacti, epitylents, mamillari and astrophytums, for example, which grow in nature in the most extreme conditions, require little land, but a lot of drainage, sellers pay attention to this when selling a plant.
The root of the cactus is small and fragile, so the transplant is carried out carefully. Drainage is poured at the bottom, then a soil mixture into which the plant is placed and sprinkled with earth. From the very top, you can pour expanded clay, the cactus will definitely like it.
If there are difficulties in deciding which pot to plant a cactus in, then the only condition is that it is not too large, and the shape and material do not play any role.
Characterization and use of the hydrogel
More recently, a hydrogel has appeared in floriculture shops. This product immediately attracted the attention of buyers due to its amazing appearance. The product can be sold as granules, powder or crystals. It is capable of absorbing and retaining moisture. When wet, the elements increase significantly in size. Manufacturers have added safe dyes to their composition, thanks to which the granules are full of a variety of colors.
The larger hydrogel is used as a substitute for substrates and primers for indoor plants. Plants are planted in transparent containers, creating amazing living arrangements. The fine product is mixed with earth. This composition is often used for seed germination.
Often the product acts as a decorative addition to the interior. By mixing several bright colors in one transparent container, you can add color and expressiveness to the decor. Such an element will become an accent and complement the style.
How to plant cacti in an aquarium
Growing cacti in aquariums today is not only a hobby, but also quite a lucrative business. Beautiful and unusual ready-made compositions of cacti and succulents in transparent aquariums are quite an expensive pleasure, and you can create such beauty with your own hands.
First of all, you will need a wide and low aquarium or terrarium. You can find one at a flower shop or one that sells pet supplies (a fish tank will do). As drainage, you can use shards of broken pottery, expanded clay, decorative stones, or a mixture of all of the above. If you also add charcoal, then the air in the middle of the tank will always be fresh. The soil mixture is prepared independently or purchased ready-made. And the last thing you need is, of course, the plants themselves. It is recommended to combine cacti and succulents, choosing species that are somewhat different in shape, color and size, then they will beautifully complement each other, although here you should rely solely on your own taste. Thus, one should also be guided when planting several cacti in one pot.
Disembarkation takes place in the same way as in a pot. At least 3 centimeters of drainage is poured onto the bottom, soil mixture is poured out and plants are planted. Decorative stones can be poured on top of the ground, they will only contribute to the creation of an unusual composition and fill the space between the plants.
These aquariums look good on windowsills and coffee tables, especially in offices and showrooms.
Soil care
The soil also requires maintenance.
- Sterilization... The very first thing to do for him is sterilization. 20-30 minutes is enough for the entire soil to warm up to 100 C.
- Watering... Water the plant depending on the environmental conditions. At high temperatures, low air humidity and intense sunlight, the cactus requires more liquid. Therefore, in summer, cacti, with the exception of cloudy days, need to be watered daily, with the onset of autumn, reduce watering, and in winter, reduce watering to 2 times a month.
For watering, you should use rainwater or water softened by boiling at room temperature. - Top dressing... Most often, the cactus is "fed" with salts of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. Coal chips, gravel and other components are added to the soil itself in order to improve its quality.
Pests... The main pest living in the soil is the mealy rootbug. This is a light insect 1-2 mm long, capable of changing its place of residence, so one infected pot is dangerous to everyone else if the pots are nearby. A cactus heavily affected by the worm stops growing, shedding its buds. There are two methods of fighting the parasite:- Chemical - the cactus is sprayed with a systemic insecticide twice, with an interval of 14 days.
- Mechanical - the cactus and its roots are washed with warm water, after which the cactus is dried and transplanted into clean soil.
For greater effect, you can combine both methods.
As it turned out in practice, with a cactus quite a lot of trouble... But if this does not alienate the amateur gardener, then the prickly friend will be an excellent alternative to the scarlet, agave and ficus that have bored us.
It is very important to follow all the rules of caring for this plant when growing a cactus. If you find a suitable pot for him and a good place to place in your apartment or garden, as well as feed, prune and transplant your pet in time, he will invariably delight you for a long time with his active growth and abundant flowering.
How to plant cactus seeds
So, it is clear how to properly plant a cactus shoot, and how a plant is grown from seeds, we will figure it out further.
This way of growing cacti will require a lot of patience, time and energy. First of all, it is necessary to prepare the soil by placing it in the oven for half an hour, and the container by treating it with steam or a solution of potassium permanganate. The container into which the seeds will be sown must be filled with the substrate and placed in a large box filled with water. When the soil is well moistened, the excess liquid must be allowed to drain, and the earth itself must be leveled. Seeds are sown on the soil surface at 3-4 centimeter intervals.
Features of the
Representatives of the flora belonging to the succulent section are easy to grow in houses, apartments and other enclosed spaces. These plants are distinguished by the presence of special tissues in which a large amount of nutritious moisture is accumulated. They do not require complex maintenance, but they need a special earthen composition.
The earth must have certain characteristics in order for the plant to fully develop, not hurt and please with its amazing appearance.
Shop substrates for succulents
Most flower lovers purchase ready-made soil for succulents. The basis of such soil mixtures is peat (lowland or high-moor). In addition, the composition may also include vermicompost, compost, sand, sapropel.
The most popular ready-to-use mixes include brand substrates:
- Agricola;
- Florin;
- Seliger-Agro;
- Garden of Miracles;
- Vermion.
