How to care for cactus at home

Cactus is considered an unpretentious plant, but in reality this is far from the case. If you want to buy this plant in your home, then first read the rules for caring for it. After all, even small deviations from the regime will affect the health of the cactus, its appearance and future inflorescences.

We choose the soil

If you have just purchased a cactus or have presented it to you, then you should not keep a plant in a store. Young shoots need loose soil, the fact that older, more dense. Experts advise using the following types of land for transplants:

1. Sheet. It is best to collect it in parks and forest areas in the spring, when the snow has completely melted, and the new grass has not yet begun to grow.
2. Clay-sod. If you decide to seriously engage in the cultivation of cacti, then try this method of preparing the soil.Find a place in the garden that is overgrown with tall grass, dig it up with the root, put it in a container, cover it with manure and wait until next year. Then the soil will be exactly the quality and consistency that are needed cacti.
3. Greenhouse. This is a common land, which is located in the garden. It can be used when there are no other options.
4. Humus. Also requires long preparations. In the spring, pour cow dung into the barrel, cover it with leaves and close the lid. A year later, the humus will be ready for use.

The main condition when choosing a soil for cacti is acidity. It should be from 4.5 to 6. If the earth is more alkaline, add peat to it, if it is acidic, then lime.

Choosing a pot

In this matter, you need to focus on the shape of the roots of the cactus. When transplanting, note how it grows. If the root is long and narrow, then the capacity should not be wide, but deep. If, on the contrary, the root grows to the sides, but short, then choose a pot with a large diameter and with a small height. You should not get too spacious a container, as it will linger in the water.

The pot can be made of any material, except metal, which is rusting from water and reacts with other organic substances. Plastic, clay, glass - ideal for growing cactus. At the bottom of the pot must be holes, so that the moisture does not linger and does not lead to rotting. For the same purpose, first a layer of expanded clay, broken red bricks or foam is poured out, and then the ground.

Transplant the plant

Small plants require an annual transplant, larger 1 time in 2-3 years. It is best to do the procedure in the middle or late spring. Before transplanting, do not water the cactus for several days, so that the soil dries out and can easily detach from the root system. And the ground in which you will move the plant, you need to moisten in advance. So the cactus will take root faster in a new place.

How to transplant a cactus:

• Place a drain on the bottom of the pot.
• Cover with a layer of coarse sand.
• Then fill the pot half full.
• Carefully place the plant in it, holding it with your hands.
• Fill the remaining voids with soil, sometimes shaking the pot.
• When the cactus becomes stable, fill the ground, not reaching the rim of the pot half a centimeter.
• Sprinkle the soil with sand.
• Put a jar or a bag on top of the cactus.
• Water daily.
• Remove the jar after 3-4 days.

A weakened plant or during its flowering period cannot be transplanted. Moreover, the cactus does not like any movement and can feel bad only because it was turned by the other side to the light. Therefore, don’t need to replant, reposition or twist the pot.

Light, water, temperature

Contrary to popular belief, you need to water cacti often. Especially in summer. To understand how much water to add to the pot, check the soil more often. If it does not have time to dry for a day, you moisturize too much.

Closer to winter, the amount of watering is reduced, it helps to prepare the cactus for the period of hibernation. Water is best collected in the rain or thawed out of the snow. If this is not possible, then defend it one day with the addition of a small amount of peat or boil.

Cacti love light, so you need to keep them on the window sill of the south window, and when the rainy season comes, turn on fluorescent lights. To understand that a plant needs additional coverage is simple. It will begin to draw up and take the form of a cone.No less important is the fresh air, without it the cactus will never bloom. In the summer, arrange his air bath in the sun.

They do not like cacti heat and dry air, which often leads to apartment heating in the winter. Since the plant is close to the battery, you need to isolate it from the hot air. Attach a small rectangle of glass to the window sill parallel to the window. In the summer, take it off.

Do cactus need fertilizer

With proper care, the cactus does not need additional fertilizer. But if there are no suitable conditions for him, then he can sometimes be fed up. Treat the choice of fertilizer responsibly, some species categorically do not fit cacti. In gardening stores there are special series for these types of plants. It should contain phosphorus, potassium, cytokinins, auxins, vitamins.

Start feeding in the period of growth, that is, with the advent of heat, and finish in September. Another reason to use fertilizer is the flowering period, when the cactus needs additional nutrition.

What to do with the cactus in winter

Wintering for a cactus is essential.The plant is resting, gaining strength, buds are born in it, which begin to bloom in summer. Therefore, your task is to provide him with comfortable conditions.

The temperature in the place where the cactus stands should be 5-15 degrees. Keep in mind that near the window is always colder than in the whole room. Window warming will help to avoid freezing. Check if there are any drafts in the apartment, if there are any, eliminate them. Install a thermometer near the window and monitor its performance. In winter, do not water the cactus often. 1-2 times a week is enough.

In the conditions of love and care, even the most spiky cacti will thank the owners with incredibly beautiful blossoming flowers. For the sake of such moments, it is worth taking care of and worrying about the plant, creating comfort and coziness for it.

Video: how to care for cacti and make them bloom