A cactus is a perennial flowering plant from the Caryophyllaceae and Cactaceae families. It grows in the arid regions of South America. When caring for this plant at home, a number of rules must be followed.
Description of the cactus
Cacti are distinguished by their lack of foliage, which is replaced by a thick green stem. The plant's shape can be columnar, cylindrical, or triangular. The stems are topped with spines and bristles of varying shapes and colors, reaching up to 12 cm in length. Flowers are either tubular or funnel-shaped, and are of both genders.
Types of cactus
There are a number of varieties of this plant suitable for growing indoors:
| View | Description |
| Decembrist | There are no thorns, flowering occurs in winter, during the dormant period of other species of the family. |
| Hatiora | Native to the tropics of Brazil, it produces small yellow bells during flowering. |
| Aporocactus | The stem can reach up to 5 meters in length and is covered with thin thorns. |
| Epiphyllum | A long, flat or triangular (less commonly) stem. The spines are replaced by serrated edges. The flowers are white or purple. |
| Ariocarpus | A small plant with a long stem. Each spring, it produces white, yellow, or red flowers. |
| Mammillaria | It has a spherical or cylindrical shape. Thin white hairs are present between the spines. |
| Prickly pear | The branches are shaped like pancakes. The yellow flowers only appear with proper care. |
| Austrocylindropuntia subulata | The unusual foliage shape is popularly known as "Eve's needle." It produces large inflorescences. |
| Echinocactus | A plant reaching 1.5 meters in height. Flowers are yellow and red. |
Rules for caring for a cactus at home
The flower is a succulent, so by storing water, it can grow for long periods in drought conditions. However, when growing it indoors, there are still a few rules that are recommended.
Watering
In spring and summer, the plant requires watering once every 7 days. If there is no extreme heat, the interval increases to once every 1.5 weeks. In winter, the plant goes dormant, so the watering frequency decreases to once every 2-2.5 weeks.
Cacti should not be overwatered, as this will deprive their root system of oxygen and cause it to rot.
Bloom
Getting a cactus to bloom indoors requires a great deal of effort and providing it with the most comfortable conditions possible. Flowering depends entirely on the succulent species. Some cacti have small flowers (like Mammillaria) and others have large ones (like Echinopsis). The Dutch cactus has the largest inflorescences.
Flowers can have completely different colors, with the exception of black and deep blue.
Transfer
To repot, you need to select the right pot and the right soil. When choosing a container for your plant, clay or plastic are recommended. Clay dries quickly, making it ideal for mature plants. Plants root more quickly in plastic pots.
The substrate can be prepared by hand, for this the following components are taken in equal proportions:
- leaf soil;
- turf soil;
- coarse river sand;
- brick chips;
- charcoal.
Once you have prepared the components, you can proceed to transplanting:
- A drainage layer, such as brick chips, is placed in the new pot. A layer of charcoal is placed in the container to disinfect the soil and roots.
- Soil is poured in and a hole is created to the size of the root system.
- Carefully grasp the cactus by the trunk and separate it from the old pot. Remove any excess soil by hand.
- The plant is placed in a new container and covered with soil.
Reproduction
Cacti propagate through seeds and cuttings. The latter method is more popular among gardeners because it's faster.
Tips for Beginner Gardeners
Beginning gardeners are advised to adhere to a number of rules:
- In winter, you should not completely stop watering the plant;
- During the dormant period, 4-5 hours of lighting is enough for the cactus;
- The plant should not be turned during the flowering period, otherwise it will drop its buds.
Top.tomathouse.com recommends: where to place a cactus
It's recommended to place the plant in the southeast corner of the home—this is the wealth sector. The cactus symbolizes accumulation and savings, so it helps improve the family's financial situation.
It is recommended to place such plants in the yard only if the residents of the house are in danger, then the cactus will act as a protector.
