Cacti can be great for your garden or even as house or office plants. They naturally don't require a lot of water or care. Some require higher temperatures but most indoor temperatures will be enough to keep many species alive.
Most people think that cactus has to grow in parched deserts while some of them relate to cacti from a scene they saw in an old western movie. However, cactus is not a plant meant only for desert conditions. Though there are many varieties that will do well in hot climates with scarce water, there are others that have been propagated for indoor use. Since cacti are low maintenance and drought resistance, they can be the ideal indoor plants for any individual.
Before you get some tips about their care, you should have the number one rule on keeping indoor cacti. The biggest mistake one can make with cacti is overwatering. Overwatering will cause problems that will include rot, fungi gnats and other diseases. Make sure the soil used by the plant is saturated completely and any excess water is removed. Keep an eye on the plant while checking any soft areas. It is good to have a natural fungicide on hand so as to combat any pests that you suspect to have taken residence.
The following are the 5 Things you should know about Cactus Care and Maintenance
What is a Cactus?
Cacti are considered to be succulent (meaning they are adept in string water): As this is the case, these plants are perfect for you if you have a busy life and watering is not in your priority list. However, it is important to water consistently even when the plants are in their dormant state. Watering is done less often for cacti and the normal frequency is once every three weeks.
How much sun is required for Cactus?
Plenty of sunlight: To thrive, cacti need to have filtered and direct sunlight depending on the variety you have. In the event sunlight is limited in supply, artificial lighting (fluorescent) can be used as well. If you are capable, move your cactus to various sunny locations within your home. Keep in mind that it has to be kept cool when it is in its dormant stages as this will help your plant become sturdier.
How to care for Cactus in winter
To encourage it to winter, you may need to move it to a cooler location that has less light (this is determined by the type of cactus). Such a move promotes flowering when it comes out of the dormant stage. A clay pot is the best for indoor cactus as it prevents excess soil saturation while encouraging quick water evaporation. However, the plant can thrive well in any container. The container you use should have an effective drainage system if rot is to be prevented.
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Do Cacti need to be repotted?
To keep the roots healthy and aerate the soil, it is advisable to re-pot on a regular basis as they grow. Addition of fresh soil regularly helps in the introduction of more nutrients for better growth.
Do Cactus need fertilizers?
Just like other plants, cacti need fertilizer. Since there are many types available, you should research you plants to know the most suitable type and the best time to fertilize them.
Cacti are basically highly tolerant and using these tips will help you have healthy plants.
Additional Tips for caring and maintenance of the cactus plant
Always ensure that the garden is moist but do not overwater. Remember the cacti are desert plants and can survive with limited moisture. Overwatering or use of alkaline water can lead to rotting.
For more foliage and flowers, apply a nitrogenous fertilizer at least once in every 3 months.
For maximum fruit yield, apply a phosphoric fertilizer preferably 10-20-10 NPK
Keep your cacti free from pests and disease. Do occasional scouting to identify any growth abnormalities such as retarded growth, change in stem and leaf color, spots, presence of pests and insect bites. Most species of fruit cacti are susceptible to bacterial diseases which are characterized by black to brown spots on the stems and fruits. Common pets in cacti include aphids, mealy bugs, spider flies and white flies.
keep the garden weed free to reduce competition for available nutrients to ensure maximum fruit yield.
Do not expose the cacti plants to too much sunlight as this may lead to browning and small fruits. If the plants are potted, you can occasionally move them to avoid too much sunlight exposure.
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