Cacti are a type of succulent plants known their ability to survive in hot and dry conditions. They have unique and interesting shapes that makes gardeners and plant enthusiasts to love them. Holiday cacti in particular produces colcorful blooms around the winter holidays.
It is relatively easy to care for a cactus plant, but there are a few conditions you have to meet for them to thrive including:
Under right care, cacti are long-lived and low-maintenance plants that can add a unique touch to any indoor or outdoor space.
Below are a collection of posts exploring on care requirements for various cacti plants.
The growth rate of cacti usually varies depending on various factors including the species, growing conditions, and care provided. Some species of cacti notably grow quite faster in ideal conditions, while others may take several years to show any significant increase in height or branching. Generally, cacti have adapted to a slow growth rate due…
Pumice and perlite are commonly used in making soilless growth media in combination with other organic ingredients like coco coir or peat moss. These coarse non-toxic mineral components are also added to most potting mixes to improve drainage, aeration, and moisture retention. Adding pumice or perlite to standard potting soil makes overwatering impossible. The porosity…
Etiolation is a condition where a plant becomes stretched, pale, and weak due to insufficient light. Since cacti are desert plants adapted to bright sunny conditions, they typically get etiolated when they don’t receive adequate amounts of light. Light is an important source of energy for all green plants. It is used for the production…
Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is an epiphytic cactus that opens its strong scented flowers for only one night, around the summer period. This cactus is classified as a night-blooming cereus, a group comprising several cacti with the same blooming behavior. Night-blooming cereus is a beautiful and unusual addition to any garden. I knew…
Grafting is a popular gardening technique of joining two different plants together to grow as one. It is commonly done to improve a plant’s growth rate, hardiness, and resistance to pests and diseases. Cactus grafting can be delicate but may be done for an important course. For example, a grower might graft a moon cactus…
During the winter months, many cacti plants go into a dormant state where they conserve energy in order to survive until conditions improve. In this state, the cactus may lose some of its stems, and its growth may slow or stop completely. While a moderate winter won’t harm the cactus, prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures…
Cacti are incredibly hardy and easy to maintain as houseplants. One important requirement is to repot your cactus every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its pot. You can tell from the protruding roots through the drainage holes at the bottom of the planter or generally the poor health of the plant. Over…
Cacti are remarkably easy to care for in their right growth conditions. However, rot is a common problem in cactus plants which is caused by overwatering, poor soil drainage, fungal infections, or pest infestations. When a cactus starts rotting, it typically loses its vigor and may die in a couple of days. It is possible…
The totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus) also known as the monstrous whisker cactus is a slow-growing cactus native to the desert regions of mainland Mexico, Sonora, and the Baja California peninsula of Mexico where they tend to grow in colonies on rocky hillsides. It is a spineless variant of the senita cactus (pachycereus…
The Silver Torch cactus (Cleistocactus strausii) also called Wooly Torch or the Snow Pole cactus is a columnar succulent native to mountainous regions of Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina. It is abundant in its native habitat since it has no threats to its survival. Silver torch cacti have spectacular features that make them attractive plants…