Cacti are plants that typically live in the desert and thrive in dry, hot weather conditions, but are ideal for keeping indoors as well. They don't require as much care as other houseplants, so they are ideal for beginners and as a gift for those who have just moved in. The secrets to growing a cactus indoors are bright exposure, limited watering and the right soil.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Propagating the New Plants
Step 1. Make a cutting from a healthy cactus
You can grow a new plant from a cutting made from a healthy cactus. Choose a part of the plant that is lush, free from blemishes and healthy. Gently cut it or peel off a whole sucker.
You can also purchase a cactus at local nurseries, home improvement stores, and garden stores
Step 2. Wait for the wound to heal
Place the part of the cactus you cut on a sunlit windowsill. Leave it on the windowsill for about two days. After 48 hours the wound will have healed. If you don't wait for the cut to heal before planting the cutting, it will likely rot.
Step 3. Choose a pot for the cactus
The most important feature a cactus pot must have is drainage. Find one with drainage holes in the bottom so that excess water can drain out. Cacti also grow best in small pots, so make sure it's about twice the size of the plant.
For cacti you can use a clay or plastic pot. The plastic ones are lighter and cheaper, while the heavy clay ones are more suitable for plants with large dimensions or with upwardly balanced shapes
Step 4. Fill the pot with cactus-specific soil
These plants need soil that drains very quickly, so choose a suitable one. To ensure even better drainage, mix two parts of cactus soil with one part of pebbles or perlite.
Cacti that stand in moist soil are exposed to the risk of fungi and bacteria
Step 5. Plant the sucker in the soil
Put it in the jar, with the scarred side down. Push it so it stands up on its own. Gently compact the surrounding soil with your hands to stabilize it.
Step 6. Wet the soil
Moisten the soil to give the cactus more water, but don't wet it too much. Until roots form and the plant grows, wet it only lightly as the soil dries up. Otherwise, it could rot.
Step 7. Keep the new plant in a bright spot
Place it on a windowsill or some other spot that gets a lot of indirect light. Too much sun can damage it. Leave it there for a month or two, until it starts to grow back.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for a Cactus
Step 1. Choose a sunlit spot
Once they have taken root, many cactus species need several hours of full sun every day. A south or east facing window is ideal for many of these plants. However, if the cactus starts to have a yellowed, pale, or orange appearance, it is probably getting too much light and you should move it to a west-facing window.
Kitchen and bathroom windows are best for cacti, as they can receive the moisture they need from the air
Step 2. Water the cactus every week during the growing season
Giving a cactus too much water can cause it to die, but this plant needs watering every week as it grows. The typical growth phase is between spring and autumn. If when you touch the ground it feels dry, water it until it becomes moist.
Do not water the soil when it is still wet, as the plant will rot and die
Step 3. Fertilize the plant every week as it grows
Cacti grow best if you feed them during the spring, summer, and fall. When watering the plant, add a 10-10-10 balanced fertilizer to the soil. Dilute it to a quarter of the potency, following the manufacturer's directions.
Step 4. Make sure the plant is in an area with good air circulation
Cacti don't like drafts and gusts of wind, but they grow best in environments with lots of fresh air. You can improve circulation in your home by turning on a ceiling fan, opening the ventilation ducts and windows when it gets warmer.
Step 5. Rotate the jar every month
Like many plants, cacti grow towards the light and this can cause them to warp. Stimulate balanced growth by making sure the plant receives light evenly by rotating the pot 90 ° every month.
Step 6. Repot the cactus every year
Choose a pot with good drainage that is one size larger than the current one. Fill it with cactus soil. Take the plant, put your hand around its base and turn the pot to get it out. Tap the roots lightly to remove old soil and prune any dead or dry parts. Place the cactus in the new pot and compact the soil around its base with your hands.
For the first two weeks after racking, do not water the cactus and keep it in a spot lit but protected from direct sunlight
Step 7. Encourage the cactus to hibernate in the winter
Fall and winter are typically dormant months for these plants. This is a necessary phase to recover energy and the rest period stimulates the growth of the flowers in the other months. You can facilitate the transition in the following ways:
- Watering the cactus only once a month.
- No longer applying fertilizer.
- Moving the cactus in front of a colder window (ideally between 7 and 13 ° C).
Part 3 of 3: Solving Common Problems
Step 1. Move the cactus to a darker spot if it turns white
Some cactus varieties grow best in indirect sunlight. If the plant turns white, yellow, or has orange spots, it is likely getting too much sun. Move it to a spot where it can receive less direct light.
Step 2. Move the plant to a brighter spot if it grows crooked or becomes less lush
A cactus that does not get enough sun can start growing towards the light, becoming crooked or misshapen. Another symptom is when the tops of these plants get narrower. Move your cactus in front of a window that receives more direct sunlight.
To avoid sunburn, move the cactus to the brightest spot gradually, bringing it closer to the light little by little for a few days
Step 3. Keep common cactus pests away
There are some insects that can cause problems when growing a cactus, such as mealybugs, mealybugs, and spider mites. To get rid of them, rinse or wet the plant with water. Insecticides often fail to solve these problems.
