Cacti are amazing creatures. Thorny, ruffled and not at all affectionate in appearance, they can nevertheless be adorable and adorable, especially during the flowering period. And their variety is sometimes simply amazing.
How to protect cacti from rotting
Cacti are drought-resistant plants. Therefore, with improper care, which is characterized by excessive moisture, they easily rot and can die.
It is best to make a single composition from cacti and take care of them in a complex. Plants in the composition should have the most similar requirements for the composition of the soil, the temperature regime in winter and summer, the level of humidity and the amount of water consumed. Joint placement will allow not only to control the level of soil moisture individually for each plant, but also protect them in case one of the plants gets sick.
Next to the cacti, to make the whole composition more decorative, you can lay out several beautiful pebbles of various shapes, sizes and colors. And a large stone placed in the center of the composition will become not only an interesting decorative solution, but also a great convenience when watering - water can be poured directly onto it, which will keep the soil from erosion and ensure an even distribution of moisture.
Joint cultivation of cacti
Expanded clay is poured into a large flat container and pots with cacti are placed on it. When the composition looks natural and most attractive, the cactus pots are slightly pressed into the expanded clay layer, and all the free space between them is filled with succulent soil, which can be purchased at any flower shop or made up of equal parts of turf and coarse river sand. The soil is compacted around the pots, trying not to leave voids. The height of the soil layer should be equal to the height of the pots.
After planting, cacti are not watered for 7-9 days, placing them in a well-lit place, but without direct sunlight.
Dormant watering
Cacti, like all plants, have a dormant period when they must rest and gather strength for spring growth and flowering. Therefore, with the onset of cold weather and the beginning of the heating season, cacti need mandatory wintering with a minimum level of air humidity, a low content temperature (up to + 8 … 10 ° C) and very rare watering.
In such conditions, cacti should be kept until spring. During this period, the laying of flower buds occurs. Flowering does not depend on watering, which should not be rushed in the spring either. During the period of awakening and the appearance of buds, cacti should only be lightly sprayed with melt water. This will avoid rotting, excessive and disproportionate growth at the very beginning of the growing season, as well as preserve the beauty and harmony of your composition.
