As of: January 25, 2024 1:41 p.m
Cacti are boring, thorny and a bit old-fashioned? Not at all. When the robust houseplants bloom, they unfold a very special magic. This is how they are cared for and watered.
Most of the cacti available from us come from warm, dry and sunny areas. In their natural environment, plants have to survive longer dry periods. This is not a problem for plants belonging to the succulent group – they store water for a longer period of time.
Be careful when buying: Some stores sell cacti that have fake flowers attached with hot glue. This damages the plant and is not recommended to be purchased.
Bright location without drafts
A bright, sunny location is ideal for cacti.
Cacti are particularly popular because they require relatively little care and often have an unusual shape. You need a bright location without drafts. Since they love direct sun, a south-facing window seat or a bright winter garden are ideal. In summer, cacti can also be placed outside on the terrace or balcony. Make sure that the place is sheltered from the wind and covered so that the plant does not receive uncontrolled rainwater.
Repot cacti
The substrate, preferably special soil for cacti, should be loose and changed about every five years. Depending on the species, cacti grow slowly or quickly. Repotting the plant every two to five years is usually enough. Spring or autumn are best suited for this.
Water and care for cacti properly
The biggest mistake in care is giving cacti too much water. They cannot tolerate waterlogging at all. However, the thorny plants cannot survive without water indefinitely. Watering is best done with stale water or rainwater when the substrate is dry. Another option is to place the entire pot in a container with water so that the substrate can soak up. Then let it drain well to prevent it from rotting. A special liquid cactus fertilizer is recommended during the growth and flowering phase (April to August).
Cacti need a rest period to bloom
Cacti look particularly impressive when they form flowers. Some species only bloom for a few hours, some for a few days and some only at night. What is a spectacular sight in the wild also works on the windowsill at home. For this, cacti need a rest period from October to March.
Overwintering cacti: Water little and keep cool
A cool location and hardly any water – this is how cacti should spend the rest period in order to produce plenty of flowers.
Which form of rest is best for which cactus varies. For some genera (e.g. Melocactus, Gymnocalycium, Parodia) it is sufficient to extremely restrict watering from November to early March. The cacti then only receive a few drops of water every three to four weeks. There is no fertilization in this phase. The plants should be kept cool. The best place is a place with lots of light directly next to the cool window pane, and there should be no radiator underneath.
For many other genera, it is recommended to move the plants to a bright winter quarters with temperatures between 8 and 15 degrees. When moving, the substrate should already be dry so that the cacti do not rot. From March onwards, slowly get the plants used to water and higher temperatures again by spraying. If the cactus still doesn’t bloom, it may be due to its age: some species bloom after just two years, others only after ten or more years.
Propagate cacti with offshoots and cuttings
Depending on the genus, there are different methods of propagating cacti. Some form children or offshoots that can simply be broken off from the main stem and planted directly in the ground. With other cacti you can cut off a side shoot and use it as a cutting. To do this, first allow the cut surface to dry completely before placing it in dry potting soil. A spray bottle with warm water is best for watering.
Further information
We grow the Schlumbergera cactus plant as a Christmas cactus. How do you care for and propagate the plant? more
Succulents require little care and have an extraordinary look. They look most beautiful in groups. more
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Hello Lower Saxony | May 27, 2023 | 19:30 o’clock