Cactus, with its unique morphology and drought tolerance, has won the love of many plant lovers. They are clumped with fleshy clumps, some resembling shrubs and others as tall as trees, making them ideal for home décor and office greenery. However, it is not easy to raise a pot of cactus well, and it takes a series of conservation techniques to ensure that it thrives and shows the best viewing results.
First, let's talk about watering. Cacti are drought-tolerant plants, but that doesn't mean they don't need water. During the growing season, cacti need the right amount of water to support their growth. However, during the dormant period, their need for water decreases and they even need to stop watering. Therefore, we need to adjust the watering frequency according to the growth state of the cactus. The principle of watering is "don't dry or water, water thoroughly", which means that we should water the soil only after it is completely dry, and make sure that the soil is moist and thorough each time to avoid frequent watering that can lead to root rot. In the summer heat, it is not advisable to water too much, so that the cactus does not grow poorly due to the environmental effects of excessive humidity. At this point, we can choose to water in the morning and evening when the temperature is relatively low. And in winter, due to cooler temperatures, cacti grow at a slower rate and have less need for water. Therefore, when watering in winter, we should choose to do it in the morning on a sunny day and make sure that the water can quickly penetrate into the soil to avoid standing water and root rot.
In addition to watering, fertilization is also an important part of cactus maintenance. Although cacti do not have a high need for fertilizer, proper fertilization can promote their growth and improve their ornamental value. In general, fertilizing every 20 days or so is sufficient to meet the growth needs of cacti. Fertilization works best in spring and autumn, as these are the peak seasons for cacti. When choosing fertilizers, we should choose fertilizers rich in potassium and phosphorus, and avoid fertilizers that contain too much nitrogen, because too much nitrogen fertilizer can easily lead to cactus growth and affect its ornamental effect. Also be careful not to splash the fertilizer on the leaves when applying fertilizer to avoid burning the leaves. The correct way to apply fertilizer is to spread the fertilizer evenly on the surface of the soil, and then use a watering can to spray water to flush the fertilizer into the soil so that the roots of the cactus can fully absorb it.
Light is another key factor in the growth of cacti. Cacti are strongly positive plants and need adequate light to grow properly. In spring and autumn, we can place the cactus outdoors or indoors in a sunny place to receive full sunlight. This not only facilitates the growth of the cactus, but also promotes its flowering and fruiting. However, strong sunlight tends to burn the leaves of cacti during the summer heat, so we need proper shade or move it to semi-shade for maintenance. In winter, due to the lack of sunlight, we should ensure that the cactus receives enough sunlight to maintain its normal growth. If there is a lack of light for a long time, the leaves of the cactus will become dull and dull, and even grow long.
Temperature also has a big influence on the growth of cacti. The suitable temperature for cactus growth is 20-35. In this temperature range, cacti grow the fastest and are the most ornamental. When the temperature is higher than 35, cacti are susceptible to burns and their growth rate is slowed down. At this time, we can sprinkle water appropriately and cool down to create a relatively cool environment for the cactus to grow. In winter, when the temperature is below 7, cacti are susceptible to frostbite. Therefore, when caring for cacti in winter, we should do a good job of keeping them warm, move them to a warm place indoors for maintenance, and ensure that the indoor temperature is stable within the appropriate range.
The choice of soil is also one of the key aspects of cactus conservation. Cacti prefer loose, breathable, well-drained soil environments. To meet this need, we can choose a soil that is blended with vermiculite, fine sand, and humus in a certain proportion to grow cacti. Such soil is conducive to the respiration and growth of cactus roots, as well as providing sufficient nutrients to support its thriving. During the planting process, we can also loosen the soil and repot it regularly to keep the soil breathable and well-drained.
Finally, let's talk about the effect of air humidity on cactus growth. Although cacti are drought-tolerant plants, they still need a certain amount of air humidity to maintain their normal growth. In the season when the air is dry, we can properly spray water on the cactus with a watering can to increase the humidity of the air. This not only provides a moist environment for the cactus to grow, but also cleans the dust and dirt from its leaves, which is conducive to its photosynthesis and respiration.
To sum up, it is not easy to raise a pot of cactus well. We need to master a series of maintenance techniques, from watering, fertilization, light, temperature control, soil selection to air humidity regulation, etc., to create an ideal environment for cactus to grow. Only in this way can we allow the cactus to thrive and show the best viewing effect.