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Why Cacti Die: 5 Mistakes Every Florist Makes
16.03.2023 00:01
Updated: 14.04.2023 16:34
There is an opinion that the cactus will survive in any conditions, since it does not require care. But this is a misconception, which often leads to the death of the prickly pet.
The fact is that cacti are exactly the same living organisms as any plants.
They simply have different requirements, unusual for people who do not live in desert areas. Hence the mistakes that almost every gardener makes.
Mistake number one: incorrect watering
Everyone knows that cacti love drought. But it is very difficult to overcome yourself, because people living where everything alive dies without rain think that the cactus will die without watering. But in reality, it dies from over-watering.
Another extreme is observed: a person practically does not water the plant. In this case, death is also possible, because the cactus can survive drought only because its body has accumulated a lot of moisture, which it uses. Therefore, it needs to be watered.
But do not overfill.
Mistake two: failure to observe seasonality
Most often, death occurs because the soil becomes moist in winter. And this is the dormant period. From about November to March, the plant is in "hibernation".
All processes are slowed down, so nutrition and moisture are practically not absorbed. If you water and feed at this time, the soil ball will become salty and sour, the root system and neck will begin to rot.
The cactus needs to be watered and fed regularly in spring and summer, and not watered or fed at all from mid-autumn and winter. It should be kept in a cool place in winter with sufficient light. For example, on a southern windowsill.
Mistake number three: excess nitrogen
Cactus growers unanimously insist that special fertilizers are needed.
The thing is that universal fertilizers contain a lot of nitrogen, which makes the cactus grow quickly, but the cells become soft and loose, which makes it easier for pathogens to penetrate them. Diseases develop quickly and destroy the plant.
Mistake number four: organics
The substrate for planting should also be special. Soil poor in nutrients, sand, stones, broken brick. It is necessary to imitate desert soil as much as possible. In organic universal soils, the plant will not only not be able to fully develop, but will also get sick, since it is not adapted to such conditions.
Mistake number five: a big pot
When replanting, the new container should be only slightly larger than the previous one. If you immediately plant the cactus in a large pot, the roots will not be able to braid the earthen lump. Water will begin to stagnate in it, which will lead to root rot and the development of diseases.
The main problem of gardeners is that they pay too much attention to their green pets. In the case of cacti, this can cause harm. This plant is used to surviving in harsh conditions that need to be created artificially.
