Cactus in a pot: examples of correct planting and options for several flowers
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There is a common myth that cacti don't need much maintenance. It is advised to get this bizarre plant for those who have no time at all to water and transplant home flowerpots. There is a grain of truth in this statement - cacti have a greater supply of vital energy than other plants, but it is not infinite.
Experienced growers say that cacti, like other flowers, need good conditions from the owners. You can learn how to properly care for our green brothers from this article.
Choosing a place for a cactus
Often, inexperienced owners put a pot of cactus near a computer or on a bookshelf, believing that this picky plant can grow in the shade. Over time, the flowerpot turns yellow, the needles begin to fall off. In order to avoid these unpleasant consequences, you need to figure out what type of cacti the pet belongs to.
Cactus is a picky plant that can decorate any interior.
South windowsills
Desert cacti are lovers of sunlight. This species is able to survive in the most extreme conditions due to the thickened root system. The ribbed surface ensures minimal evaporation of moisture, which explains the pickiness in terms of watering.
Most indoor cacti like sunlight, but direct sunlight should be avoided. This plant can be kept in an open area for no more than 6 hours. It is advisable to hang a tulle or curtain on the window, which will protect the prickly pet. Leafy cacti and epiphytes do not tolerate the scorching sun at all. This type of cactus should be in the sun for no more than 4 hours.
East and north windows
The north or east side is the most optimal for the growth of cacti. Sometimes on the south side, the plant is fired under the influence of direct sunlight, so a slight partial shade should be created. It all depends on the climate: those who live in a country with a hot climate choose the north or east side, and those who live in cold countries choose the south.
Pot options
When choosing a pot for a cactus, you need to pay attention not to the appearance and color, but to the size of the container, since everything depends on the growth of the root system. Therefore, comfort, warmth and dryness will be the main selection criteria.
Pot sizes
The variety, size and degree of growth of the plant's root system will tell you what kind of pot is needed for a cactus. For active growth and proper development of a large plant, you will need a spacious vessel, since it has a voluminous root system.
The cactus pot must match the size of the root system of the plant
If the cactus is small, you should not transplant it into a small container, as the root begins to rot over time.
Substrate
For the normal development of a cactus, you need a substrate filled with all the necessary nutrients. As a rule, it is prepared long before planting the plant. For cooking, you will need the following components: sod land, dry or rotted leaves and sand. You can add crumbs of peat, gypsum, coal or brick. The substrate must be breathable, absorb moisture well and have an acidity of no more than 5.6 pH.
Pot making materials
To understand which pot to plant a cactus in, you need to study the features of the materials. The containers can be made from different raw materials. Often, flower growers opt for plastic or clay pots. Both have their pros and cons. Plastic flower pots break down quickly and prevent moisture from evaporating. If the water does not evaporate at least partially through the walls of the vessel, there is a risk of rotting of the root system and the appearance of fungus. It is quite difficult to grow cacti in such containers, because they easily break and bend. In pottery, water evaporates quickly, so there is a risk of drying out the soil and plant roots. If the choice of the grower fell on a clay pot, the green pet will have to be watered more often than usual. A huge disadvantage of this material is that salt dissolving in water accumulates in the form of a plaque on the walls of the container. This leads to the death of the root system, since the cactus prefers oxidized soil.
Concrete, clay, glass, wood and metal can also serve as materials.
Drainage for the pot
You don't even need to think about whether a cactus needs drainage - it is simply necessary. Florists use drainage in order to eliminate the risk of water stagnation at the bottom of the pot. To do this, take a wine cork, expanded clay, crushed brick, crushed stone, coal and eggs. These materials are placed in a thin layer on the bottom of the pot. It is impossible to determine the exact size of the drain, it will occupy about 1/6 of the total volume of the tank.
Drainage preparation is a mandatory step that has a positive effect on the further development of the plant.
Planting and transplanting a cactus
A potted cactus needs regular replanting, as the old soil becomes alkalized, loses its air permeability and all its useful properties. The best time for this process is spring: late March or early May. If you wish, you can transplant the cactus whenever you want. In order to grow a large and beautiful flowerpot, you need to adhere to the rules of planting and disinfection.
Correct planting of a cactus in a pot with a root
Prepare the soil before planting. For a cactus, you need loose soil that allows the root system to quickly absorb moisture and breathe. River sand or sifted cat litter will help to achieve this effect. The new pot should be slightly larger than the old one, but if the plant is growing slowly, you can choose the old one. The vessel should be disinfected by pouring boiled water over it. There is no need to water the plant three days before transplanting.
How to plant a cactus in a new pot:
- Get the pet out of the old vessel. You should work with leather gloves, wrap the plant with cloth or paper. Before that, you need to loosen the soil with a knife, placing it in the ground. Cut the soil until the soil separates from the container. If the pot is plastic, you can squeeze it tightly and the plant, along with the soil, will come out.
- To clean the roots from lumps of soil and carefully distribute. If the root system has not been subject to rotting processes or attack by pests, fungi, the flowerpot can be transplanted into a new vessel. Cut off dead roots with scissors.
- To prevent infection of the root system, it must be dried for several days in a dry and warm place.
- Place drainage on the bottom of the new container, pour a layer of coarse earth on top.
- Place the plant in the center of the pot, without pressing the roots into the bottom. Take loose soil and gradually cover the roots with it. When the pot is half full, you need to knock on it so that the earth fills up the empty spaces in the root system.
- You should not plant the cactus too deep. The green part of the plant should rise above the soil, and the roots should be hidden by the soil.
- The top layer of soil can be covered with gravel or compost.
After transplanting, the plant needs several days to recover. It is impossible to water the cactus during this period, as the roots should dry out. If the pet is prone to rotting processes or fungal diseases, you will have to wait three weeks with watering. After rehabilitation, the care for the succulent remains the same.
Examples of cacti for a pot
Today, there are hundreds of types of cacti for growing at home. Mini cacti are especially popular, each of which has its own name, features of transplantation and care.
Mini cacti
Often in the house of many housewives you can find these types of tiny children of the desert:
- Astrophytum ibex is a flowering plant in the shape of a sphere. In summer, it bears fruit in the form of yellow flowers, with age it acquires a cylindrical shape. The size and shape of the thorns may vary;
- Notocactus Otto is a spherical cactus with thick and sharp spines, during the flowering period it pleases the eye with large buds, the maximum length of which reaches 8 cm;
- Mammillaria bokasan is a silvery cactus, covered with white buds during the flowering period. The flowers grow in the shape of a wreath;
- Small-haired prickly pear is a thirty-centimeter plant that is covered with red and white needles. This cactus is one of the most popular for indoor decoration.
The main advantages of tiny cacti are ease of care and aesthetic appearance.
Also known are species such as Rebutia tiny, Mikhanovich's Gymnocalycium, Echinocereus comb and Strauss's Kleistocactus. These pets will breathe nature into the hearth and decorate any interior.
Options for several cacti in a pot
If there is not enough space on the windowsill, and there are large pots at home, you can plant several cacti in one pot. To do this, you need to select plants with a similar set of characteristics, that is, they must be resistant to sunlight, grow slowly and rarely give offspring. Also, green pets should have the same watering requirements.
These include astrophytums, Peruvian Cereus and Echinofossulocactus. It is recommended to plant cacti with a thick and ribbed surface in one pot: sedum, echeveria, cotyledon and pachyphytum. It is necessary to compose a prickly composition only symbolically, in fact, one should not forget about creating pots and drainage for the root system of each plant separately. This is done in order to prevent root plexus, as this causes difficulties in transplanting and getting rid of diseases and parasites.
DIY cactus pots examples
You don't have to buy expensive ceramic pots or litter the environment with plastic containers. The pot can be made with your own hands from improvised means that every housewife can find.
Option 1
You will need a peeled coconut to create a pot. Cut the shell in half and make holes on the sides of the pot. Don't forget about the drainage holes. The container can be decorated at your own discretion.
Option 2
For lovers of ecological style, a pot of twigs is suitable. To do this, you need to prepare the rods themselves, a piece of burlap cloth, glue and any container in the shape of a cylinder. The jar needs to be pasted over with a cloth and the base should be tightly braided with twigs.
Option 3
You will need polymer clay, a knife and a spoon. The clay needs to be kneaded well, molded into a ball and refrigerated for 15 minutes. After cooling, remove excess material from the center of the ball. Any geometric shape can be made with a knife. Such a pot will suit fans of minimalism.
A container for a cactus can be created from available tools. This could be an old cup or bowl that you can paint with markers, waterproof paints, or nail polish. Cover the pots with shells, beads, glitter or any other handy decorations.
DIY cactus pots can help you save money and show your creativity
