there are. Most of the species of cacti are easy to grow,
even for the beginning grower. Cacti can be bought at your
local home improvement center or gardening store all year
round, although the summer is the best time to get them.
You will also need to purchase a few things along with your
new cactus.
POT:
First, get a pot to plant it in. When you purchase the
cactus, it has been in the pot that it comes in for a long
time and will most likely need to be repotted. Select a pot
only a little larger than the cactus’ current pot because
one that is too big will cause over watering. Also make
sure that there are holes for water to drain out of the pot,
because without these the cactus will rot and die.
SOIL:
cactus soil, made specifically for cacti, which you can find
at home improvement centers and gardening stores. If you
cannot get cactus soil, then you can make your own with one
part potting soil and one part sand. Adding a little gravel
to the mixture will also aid in drainage.
REPOTTING:
When repotting your cactus, break the old pot if possible
and remove the pieces. Digging the cactus out of the pot
can cause root damage and should be avoided. Put some of
the fresh cactus soil into the bottom of the pot and place
the cactus on top. Then fill in the sides with more soil.
The cactus should not be heavily watered or placed in direct
sunlight for about a week after repotting to allow it to
adjust to it’s new ‘home.’ After the initial repotting, the
cactus should only be transferred to another pot when
absolutely necessary.
After the repotting is over, caring for your cactus is a
breeze. The most important thing to remember is that cacti
have two seasons, the active growing season during the
spring and summer and the dormant season during the fall and
winter, when they go into hibernation so to speak.
WATERING:
During the active growth season cacti need to be watered
more often than during the dormant season. There is no set
watering specifications for cacti, as it depends on the pot,
the soil, the climate and several other factors. The best
way to learn how much water your cactus needs and how often
is to observe it. When watering the cactus, add water until
there is only about a half inch of dry soil on the surface.
Be sure that the drainage holes in the pot are not blocked
so the water can run out. Do not water the cactus again
until the soil is completely dry. The easiest way to check
the soil moisture is to carefully stick a pencil or a
similar object to the bottom of the soil and check for any
damp soil clinging to it.
During the dormant season, the plant should be watered no
more than every few weeks.
FERTILIZER:
From spring to fall, you should only fertilize your cactus
once every two to three months. A low nitrogen fertilizer
works best, like 5-10-10. You can also use a time release
fertilizer, but they only need to be used once in the
spring.
LIGHT:
Cacti need bright light and inside, southern facing windows
are best. If the cactus does not receive enough light,
artificial light should also be supplemented.
Cacti can tolerate heat up 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit during
their active growth season. During the dormant season,
cacti do best in temperatures from 45-55 degrees, which they
would encounter in their natural habitats. Studies have
also proven that low temperatures during the dormant season
encourage flower growth.
PROBLEMS:
owners, but can be easily be avoided with proper care. Over
watering can cause root and stem rot. Unfortunately, once a
cactus’ roots or stems start to rot, there is nothing you
can do to save it.
Relatively few pests bother cacti but there are a few, such
as aphids, red spider mites and mealy bugs. When you
purchase a cactus, make sure it is free of insects before
bringing it home. If your cacti at home have insects, treat
them with an insecticide.
As you now see, growing cacti can be fun easy. Just follow
the rules and especially remember, DON’T OVER WATER.
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