Remember, as children, we were keen on collecting different collections. Stamps and greeting cards, models of sports cars and airplanes, badges and flags of different countries, which just was not. Let's continue this good tradition in adult life and create a collection of cacti. Imagine, you come in the evening tired from work, go to the window, and on the right the prickly pear blossoms, to the left hymnocalicium rises, in the center the small miniature fountain gurgles quietly, and around the whole sill of the cactus babies of all shades and shapes. That's great, is not it? And when all this splendor in the spring will be covered with different-colored bright colors, your joy will not be at all a part. Well, what fascinated you? Then let's find out how to properly care for blooming and not flowering indoor cacti, when and how many times to water and feed them, what kind of soil and lighting they like, and also how care for cacti in winter is from summer care.
What are cacti in the world?
There are many kinds of cacti on the earth, more than 3000, and this is far from the limit. Every month, scientists discover more and more copies of this prickly kingdom. And what forms! From the right ball to a multi-storey pile of leafy formations and even real candlesticks for three candles, similar to church trickeries. By the size of the same cacti come from babies, placed in a teaspoon, to the giants, reaching 24 meters. All this makes them a real collection of exhibits. And given that live prickly handsome people for several tens and even hundreds of years, it allows you to transfer the priceless collection from generation to generation. So, how to properly care for cacti at home?
How to start caring for cacti? Packaging, priming and planting
Let's start with the most important thing - dishes, soil and landing techniques. Tableware for cactus can be of any shape and texture, but white cubes of polystyrene with extendable bottoms are considered to be traditional for cacti. They are compact, which makes it possible to compose them closely and save space on the windowsill. The area of the cube should be slightly larger than the diameter of the plant, so that its roots are freely distributed along the bottom.
The soil for the cactus consists of sand, earth and leaf humus in a 1: 1 ratio. It should have a weakly acid composition, which is achieved by adding a small amount of peat, about half as much as sand. Moreover, it is better to take the river with a large grain and without any admixtures of clay. The same applies to land. And for the drainage layer, claydite or fine gravel is suitable.
Before planting a baby or a stalk in the ground, both are carefully treated from pests. The soil is steamed, and the planting material is disinfected. Before rooting, both the baby and the stalk are dried for a few days so that they do not rot, and then they are put in prepared soil or simply in sand and slightly moistened.
How to care for cacti - watering and feeding
Since all cacti without exception are plants from deserts, it must be watered appropriately. First, it is rare and abundant. The signal to the next watering is the complete drying of the soil in the pot. Secondly, the water should be soft and warm, not colder than room temperature. Softness is achieved either by boiling and settling, or by passing through drinking filters. Fertilizer is produced once a month by special fertilizers for cacti, which can be bought in the store. This is done from March to October. By the way the latter applies to watering.
As for the question of how to care for a flowering cactus, then the rules are the same as for a non-flowering, except for a small nuance. Watering is produced somewhat more often, the dose of fertilizer is also slightly increased, and the faded areas are immediately removed. That's all the differences. And one more clarification, watering and blooming, and not flowering plants should be made only after the onset of twilight.
Care for cacti in winter
Imagine, it is different from summer. Firstly, in winter cacti are not watered. Absolutely. Secondly, if you want to see the spring bloom in spring, they need to provide protection from the heaters. For example, tightly lean against the glass, and then fence with a film or other plants from the flow of warm air.
As you can see, care for cacti in the home, although it requires some effort, but not too difficult. Just start, and soon your window sill will delight the eye with a luxurious collection for the joy of you and the envy of neighbors.