How to properly care for a cactus at home, transplant and water it

Cacti belong to the category of exotic plants that attract attention with their unusual shape and appearance. Plant care differs from standard care, including the nuances of transplanting. Asking yourself the question of how to properly transplant a cactus into another pot, you should carefully read the list of rules.

Description and characteristics of the plant

Plants in the family Cactaceae are unusual spiny plantations that have adapted to grow in arid conditions. In nature, cacti grow on the sand of deserts and semi-deserts, on plateaus and other areas exposed to the sun.The characteristics of green spaces are as follows:

When growing indoor varieties, minimal care is required due to its unpretentiousness to the surrounding conditions.
Cacti have the ability to accumulate moisture inside the stem, which they consume in the absence of watering.
Most varieties do not have leaves, therefore their function is performed by a thick stem, which has a columnar, spherical, cylindrical or other shape.
Externally, cactus stems are covered with a hard-surfaced cuticle and a waxy coating. Stems can be lumpy, smooth, ribbed, with notches.

General watering rules

Watering is one of the main maintenance measures for any plant. When wetting the ground with cacti, you must follow the standard rules to ensure good growth. During watering, water should not fall on the stem, so it should be poured onto the ground along the edges of the pot.

Also, stagnation of liquid should not be allowed, which is why high-quality drainage is required. For a while, a cactus can easily grow in dry soil, and excess water always has a bad effect.

Water requirements

Cacti prefer to water with water, which does not contain chlorine, impurities and salts... The best option is rainwater, but since it is not always possible to obtain it, it is recommended to use settled water for more than a day or filtered water . Fluid temperature should be room temperature or slightly above.

Time, frequency and size

The amount and frequency of watering depends on environmental conditions, including temperature and atmospheric humidity. The higher the temperature and humidity, the faster the liquid evaporates from the soil, and the cacti need to be watered often.The temperature of the water itself is also important - the cold liquid is practically not absorbed by the roots.

The optimal time for watering is in the morning or evening.

Paths

There are several ways to moisten the soil in which cacti grow. It is worth choosing the appropriate option depending on the location of the plants and your own wishes.

Above

Watering plants from above is more convenient and familiar, since it is easier to monitor the amount of water consumed in this way, and the clod of earth is not completely wetted with water. The downside is that nutrients are stripped from the topsoil over time.

In order not to wet the stem when watering, you can build a special device from a plastic bottle. To do this, take a piece of flexible tubing and a lid, in which a hole of a suitable diameter is drilled. The tube is driven into the ground and then water is poured into the lid, which serves as a sort of funnel.

By pallet

Container watering is a better option because there is no risk of liquid spilling on the stem and causing it to rot. When moistened through the pallet, the lump of earth at the base of the stem is not washed away, due to which the mineral and nutritional components are retained in the soil for a long time. The preservation of nutrients has a positive effect on the growth and development of cacti.

Subject to the correct selection of a pot or other container for planting a plant, the roots will almost reach the base. In the lower part of the pot, when watering through the sump, moisture is absorbed together with nutrient components. This method of moistening the substrate is applicable at any time of the year.By growing several cacti at once, you can place them on the same pallet, which will help reduce watering time.

In winter

With the onset of winter, it is allowed to completely stop watering. The amount of liquid is gradually reduced from the beginning of autumn, and at the time of the first frosts they completely stop watering the cacti. In winter, plants are in a kind of hibernation, so they do not grow, and their metabolism slows down significantly. Development does not resume until spring, and the planting is watered in the standard way.

If you do not stop watering in winter, you can cause poor growth of the cactus. Thin, pale shoots will form on the plant and the stem will stretch upward abnormally. It will be almost impossible to fix such shortcomings.

After the transplant

Immediately after transplanting a cactus to a new location, you do not need to water it. Wait 3-4 days, or 5-10 days if grown in temperate climates. It is recommended to place the transplanted plant on the east or southeast side and provide shade. Once watering is restored, shade can be gradually reduced to allow stand growth.

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How to water in summer

In the summer season, the frequency of humidity should be observed - once every 5-7 days. Lack of water at high ambient temperatures and sun exposure will cause the stem to dry out and shrivel. To avoid a lack of liquid at the base of the roots, it is necessary to provide drainage at the bottom of the pot and choose the right soil mixture.

During flowering

When the buds of a cactus begin to form, it is not recommended to disturb it too much, move it to a new place and water it abundantly. For good development, it is best to leave the plant alone for the entire flowering period. Otherwise, growth disturbances and subsequent death of the plant may be caused.

top dresser

The condition for the proper development of a cactus is the supply of trace elements and nutrients. In significant quantities, the plant needs nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. A number of trace elements are needed in small doses. Timely application of fertilizers in sufficient amounts helps to boost plant immunity and provides protection against damage from many diseases.

About air humidity

It is recommended to maintain moderate humidity in the room where the plants are grown. Exposure to hot, dry air negatively affects the development of cacti. Such conditions can be specially created only in early spring in order to resume active growth after planting rest.

If possible, it is worth circulating the air in the room and periodically ventilating. When doing so, it is important to avoid blowing through. It will also be useful to spray the plants, which is especially important in the summer. To do this, it is better to use a sprayer with a fine nozzle, which will create a wet cloud on the plants. Such conditions vaguely resemble the natural environment during development in the wild, where cacti receive moisture from dew.

Fertilizer

To simplify maintenance, it is recommended to use a complex fertilizer that contains all the necessary components in the right amount.It is important to feed cacti only during the period of active growth. When planting is dormant, this process should not be disturbed. Also, plants should not be fertilized in case of root damage and immediately after transplanting.

How to transplant after purchase

When initially transplanting a plant immediately after purchase, a number of features should be considered. The further development of the cactus depends on the correctness of the procedure.

Coaching

Transplantation is carried out with extreme care, since the plants are extremely sensitive to external influences. Even small damage during transplantation can lead to the death of a cactus. Damaged roots, when interacting with moistened soil, begin to rot, after which the plant dies. To avoid mistakes, you need to properly prepare for the transplant.

special container

Regardless of the type of cactus, it is best to choose a terracotta pot with a tray and drainage holes for transplanting. Such containers effectively pass air, preventing fluid retention and the appearance of fungus.

In the case of planting small-sized plants, you can take plastic containers, and with further growth and the next transplant, replace the pot with an earthen pot.

The size of the container for a cactus is chosen taking into account the dimensions of the roots and the growth characteristics of a particular variety. It is optimal to use pots 4-5 cm larger than the previous ones. Plants with fibrous fibrous roots are suitable for containers that are wide and not too tall. In the case of long and massive roots, it is necessary to privilege a high capacity.Before proceeding with the transplant, the pot must be thoroughly disinfected with a special agent or soap and water. The clay pot is poured over boiling water and left to dry.

Floor

An important point when transplanting is also the choice of suitable soil. There is a huge variety of soil mixtures, among which you need to choose the most suitable option.

Composition requirements

You can buy a ready-made soil mixture in garden stores, but most likely this composition will be too heavy. When buying a substrate, you will need to add small stones and coarse sand to it. The composition of the correct soil mixture should include the following components:

garden land (preferably loamy);
humus;
river sand;
crushed charcoal;
stone chips.

Preparing the soil for the cactus yourself, you need to take all the listed components in equal quantities and mix them. It is not necessary to sift the soil, because the plants grow better in a coarse substrate. To destroy bacteria in the soil, you need to carry out treatment with a disinfectant solution.

Grass or clay

These types of soil hold moisture firmly, and beneficial trace elements are removed from it very slowly. You can take soil from places where the ground is covered with grass. A layer of this turf is removed with a shovel and laid in layers, after which it is covered and left for a year. It is also permissible to dig up the turf and, holding on to the thick grass, shake off the soil from the roots. In this case, it will be less nutritious, but it is suitable for cacti in its structure.

old greenhouse

As a result of cleaning the greenhouse in the fall, an old greenhouse soil is formed, which can be used for further planting a cactus.The soil is cleaned from the greenhouse with the surface layer of well-rotted humus and piled in piles. The height of the piles should be 1.5 m, the width - 3 m, the length - arbitrary. The land is not sheltered for the winter, due to which it freezes and is cleared of harmful insects and sources of disease.

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Leafy soil or leafy humus

The use of leaf humus is considered a versatile way to improve soil structure. Leafy humus is deposited in the fall to prepare the soil for the following season. The benefits of leaf humus include:

Soil conditioning, which is achieved by long-term moisture retention in the root zone. This allows the plants to more easily tolerate dry conditions.
Acidification of the soil, which has a positive effect on the development of cacti. For this reason, leaf humus is used for most houseplants.
Optimal conditions for the emergence of earthworms. Insects do not harm green spaces, improve water and air exchange.

Humus

An important component of the soil mixture is humus, which includes plant residues and rotted manure. In appearance, humus is porous loose earth of dark brown color, without a pronounced smell. Soil with humus contains many nutrients, therefore it has a beneficial effect on the growth of plantings and prolongs the flowering period of cacti.

Coarse river sand

River sand in coarse fractions is necessary to impart looseness to the soil. Coarse sand is included in all soil mixtures intended for indoor plants. The material helps retain moisture in the soil for a long time.In addition, due to the presence of river sand in the soil mixture, the roots of cacti grow easily and smoothly and do not disturb the structure as a result of transplantation.

Zeolite

Natural zeolite serves as a fertilizer in the soil. The component helps to ensure optimum soil moisture, aerates the soil and is a source of minerals.

The use of natural zeolite as a fertilizer has a positive effect on the growth of cacti, prevents damage from mold and harmful insects.

For indoor plants, zeolite is added to pots using one part fertilizer to three parts muck. The bag of fertilizer is carefully shaken and poured into the ground. Zeolite is able to absorb moisture, which makes it possible to water less often. You will need to reuse zeolite for cacti no later than 3-5 years from now.

coal

A small amount of charcoal, ground into small pieces, can be added to the soil mixture. The charcoal will absorb excess moisture in the soil and release it when it dries. In addition, charcoal prevents the occurrence of a putrefaction process, prevents the development of fungus, increases the loosening of the earth. Charcoal has an antiseptic and antifungal effect, therefore it should be mixed not only with the earth , but also to the drainage layer.

brick chips

The purpose of the brick chips in the soil mixture is to increase the looseness of the earth, to absorb excess moisture and to aerate. Useful properties of brick chips include:

preservation of the original mechanical properties over a long period of time;
good drainage characteristics;
high air permeability;
low cost and availability.

Peat

For cacti and other indoor plants, peat has proven itself as an integral soil component.Peat is a natural substance that contains a large amount of carbon. The composition also contains plant fibers that improve the water-air condition of the soil and humic acids, which activate plant growth.

How to make the mixture yourself

In order not to spend money on buying a ready-made soil mixture, you can prepare the soil for cacti with your own hands. It will not be difficult, because it is enough to know what basic components are included in the soil mixture. The specific composition of the soil depends on the type of plants.

For desert species

When growing desert cactus varieties, you should prepare the substrate using turf and leafy soil, coarse sand and peat in equal proportions.

Desert cacti have round, ribbed stems. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the plant, the evaporation of soil moisture occurs very slowly. When moistened, the ribbed parts of the planting swell and absorb a lot of water. Since dry soil is more suitable for desert species, waterlogging can be dangerous for them.

For plain cacti

When preparing a soil mixture for single species of cacti, it should be borne in mind that they prefer looser soil compared to other varieties. The composition of the soil should include: turf and leafy soil, humus, peat for acidification, coarse river sand. Sod land should be added twice as much as other components.

For large and fast growing

The Cereus family of cacti is distinguished by an active growth rate and a fairly large size. Given these characteristics, the soil in green spaces must be fertile. The composition of the substrate includes humus, peat, turf and leafy soil.All components, except humus, are used in equal proportions. It is enough to use 4 times less humus than other components. Even such a small amount will be sufficient to provide the required fertility rate.

Universal Option

For unpretentious varieties of cacti, the simplest composition of the soil mixture is required. Humus is not added in this case, since the plants do not need fertile soil.

To prepare a soil mixture and grow unpretentious cacti in it, you need to use ready-made soil, coarse sand and gravel. It is recommended to observe the proportions of 2: 2: 1 so that the substrate is of high quality and rich in nutrients.

Floor care

The correct growth and development of cacti is facilitated by the care of the soil. A holistic approach should be followed to keep the plants comfortable.

Sterilization

Soil sterilization measures are implemented to control existing diseases and prevent the emergence of new infections. The causative agents of diseases settle on plants and first affect their individual elements, and then the whole planting.

The most effective way to kill pathogens is chemical disinfection. At the same time, along with pathogens, some beneficial microorganisms are destroyed, and in the future it will be necessary to carry out agrotechnical actions to revive the depleted soil. The following preparations are suitable for sterilizing the soil:

Whitening powder. The substance is introduced into the soil six months before planting to destroy most pathogens.
Formalin. Processing is carried out a few weeks before planting a cactus. The drug is effective in eliminating blackleg pathogens.Before use, formalin should be dissolved in water, and after watering, cover the soil with a film for 3 days.
TMTD fungicide. The drug can be used in dry form or in the form of a suspension. After adding the substance, you need to loosen the earth.

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watering

A week before transplanting, the land on which cacti grow is not watered. This is due to the fact that wet soil particles will remain on the roots., and in case of damage, the inevitable rotting of the plantations will occur. The soil should be slightly moist, but not soggy. To check the condition of the soil, you can squeeze a lump of earth in your fist, if it does not crumble into dust and forms a little, then you can transplant.

top dresser

The use of mineral dressings has a beneficial effect on the condition of the plant. Each element of fertilizer has a different effect. Especially:

Potassium improves the growth of cacti, increases resistance to various diseases and temperature extremes. If there is not enough potassium in the soil, the stem of the cactus may become covered with yellow spots.
Calcium is involved in the formation of cactus needles and hairs. Also, the component is involved in the regulation of the water balance. Calcium can be added to the soil as a lime or sulfate solution.
Phosphorus promotes good growth and root formation in growing cuttings. With a sufficient amount of phosphorus, cacti form strong and healthy shoots.
Nitrogen has an overall positive effect on the plant and activates the growth process. In this case, it is important not to allow excessive application, as the planting may die.

pests

Violation of the rules of care and unfavorable environmental conditions cause damage by harmful insects. Spider mites, slugs, wood lice, scale insects, root nematodes, mealybugs and scale insects are dangerous to cacti.

Insecticidal preparations help to control pests. Large parasites can be removed manually.

Drainage

Without drainage, plants will not grow properly and could die. Expanded clay, crushed red brick or fine gravel are laid as drainage on the bottom of the pot. It is recommended to add small pieces of charcoal to the drain for extra durability.

How to choose a jar

The container for planting cacti should be equipped with drainage holes that reduce the risk of water stagnation in the root zone. For cacti you need a pot with a tray where the flowing liquid will accumulate. The best drainage option is the many holes in the bottom of the pot and the drainage fill itself at a quarter of the volume of the container. If these conditions are met, it is permissible to water the cacti abundantly so that the water fills the cesspool and does not have to be drained.

How to transplant to another pot so as not to inject

When transplanting, you need to be careful not to touch the prickly needles of the cactus. Prepare baking tongs or large tweezers before placing the plant in a new pot. With these devices, they grab the stem, then turn the pot upside down and pull out the planting.

Follow-up care

After transplanting a cactus to a new location, you should provide standard comprehensive care. The plant should be watered, fertilized with mineral components and sprayed with protective preparations against diseases and attacks of harmful insects.You also need to constantly visually inspect the plantings in order to detect signs of oppression in time.

Recommended schedule

The optimal time for transplanting cacti: the end of March - the beginning of April. During this period, the plants are just beginning to actively grow. If the need for transplantation arises at a different time, it is allowed, if necessary, to transplant plants throughout the growing season.

How to plant in a florarium step by step

Florarium with cacti is a decorative composition. Planting of plants in the florarium is carried out according to the following technology:

the seedlings are removed from the pots and the remains of soil are gently shaken off, taking care not to damage the roots;
in the prepared planting substrate, several recesses are made using a thin wooden stick;
the plants are placed in a recess, sprinkled with the remaining soil and lightly compacted the soil surface;
decorate the composition with water soil, white marble chips and other elements.

How to divide a cactus when transplanting

To divide the cactus when transplanting, it is enough to gently break off the overgrown shoots. Separation increases the number of plants.

Size

It is necessary to prune cacti in case of rotting, with a strong extension of the stem and a change in shape. If the plant is over 15cm long, start pruning from the top.

In the case of a plant of low height, it must first be removed from the ground to facilitate cutting.

How to root a cactus after pruning

After pruning the cactus, you need to leave it to dry for a week so that the wet cut is pulled a little. Then you can transfer the plant to the ground. I put a layer of drainage and a mixture of soil in the pot, and a little sand on top.The pruned cactus is carefully screwed into the middle of the container and regularly watered for rooting.

Tips & Tricks

In order for a cactus to develop properly and bloom on time, it must grow in favorable conditions. In addition to basic care, you can treat a houseplant with a solution of ammonia, which is a kind of fertilizer. The substance has antibacterial and antifungal effects. In addition, alcohol compensates for the lack of nitrogen in the soil.

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