Care of cacti (succulents)
Here are a few tips, hints, etc. on the topic care of cacti (succulents):
Water requirement depends on season and weather:
During the summer, the plants need water on a regular basis, a bit less when the sky is cloudy, and wait until the sun shines, only minimal watering in winter. There must never be waterlogging!
Location:
Outside in summer, but protected from constant rain (for example, on the balcony or terrace). In the spring do not get into the direct sun, but slowly get used to the sun, otherwise they get sunburn. Cool and bright in winter (around 15 ° C).
Repot right:
Water-permeable, nutrient-rich soil, pH should be around 5-6 (best Kompode od od. Special cactus, but not from the hardware store, which is too peaty and dries bad. Before repotting the earth briefly in the microwave Oven to kill pests The best time to repot is in March.
Fertilize properly:
Use low nitrogen fertilizer, fertilize 2-3 times during the growing season as it stands on the fertilizer packing
Maintenance Error:
- Lack of water: shriveled leaves or stems -> GIESSEN !, the leaves are dried, remove them (are already dead)
- Waterlogging: rotten roots, plant dies -> use permeable soil and pots with vent hole, pour less
- Sun: Red spots on the leaves -> Plant slowly get used to the sun, preferably on the windowsill
- Corking: The appearance of old age, remedy may be that you move the plants slightly apart. Most of the time you are too close together
- Frost: discoloration, decay, dead tops -> cover, put in time in the house / apartment
Care Calendar:
- November to February: hibernation. Water only minimally, little water every three to four weeks
- March: spray plants occasionally, pour slowly in warm weather
- April: Get used to the sun, watering, put in the summer place in sunshine, protect against sunburn
- May: Move to the summer place, get used to the sun
- June to August: pour normally, once the soil dries, never let the soil dry out completely. Fertilize.
- September: pour less, no longer fertilize
- October: less and less watering, not even more
Tips for painless repot - needed:
- New earth
- pot
- A folded newspaper (folded into a long strip)
- shovel
- Sharp object (shashlik skewer, or similar)
- Place the folded newspaper around the cactus, touch it as close to the cactus as possible.
- With a sharp object, remove the old earth roughly from the roots.
- Put some fresh earth in the new pot, plant.
- Fill up to the root of the neck with new soil, put in shade, water after 3 days.
How do I get my cacti to bloom?
- First of all, the cacti must be bluish -> must have the right age (varies from species to species).
- Need a lot of light in summer and cool temperatures in winter.
- Some species require up to 16 hours of light per day to flower (such as the Christmas cactus).
