How to water a cactus at home

Who was the first to invent the stereotype that cacti should not be watered? Now we are unlikely to find out. On the basis of what happened this invention? Unless, on knowledge about winter care. In principle, now it doesn’t matter who let this bike into the people. Proper care is much more important, in which water occupies, perhaps, the central place.

Despite a certain drought tolerance, a few seasonal rules should be known for the normal development and growth of a plant. And follow the recommendations for watering. Otherwise, your cacti will grow very poorly, and you can’t wait for flowers at all. By the way, absolutely all types and varieties bloom. Let's find out how to water a cactus at home?

Each season has its own irrigation system. It is based on the natural vegetative cycle of a cactus. At different times, the plant needs a different amount of water for drinking, normal growth and good flowering. Therefore, we draw up a watering schedule using the natural cycle of cactus development.

Spring

In natural habitats, this time of year is the rainy season. Therefore, the water should be soft, settled. Better filtered and room temperature. Water cacti need every day. Quite a bit, but often.

Do not be afraid of stagnation of excess fluid. If your pet is planted in the right soil with a good drainage layer, then all the excess will flow out. And nothing threatens the roots.

Summer

Typically, a cactus sits in a small pot. And in the summer heat, the earth in it dries quickly enough. Therefore, do not be afraid to destroy the cactus with such frequent watering. Everything that he does not have time to drink, safely evaporates or drains through the drainage.

And further. Do not spray the cactus during the day. He, too, can get severe burns. Especially if it grows in direct sunlight.

Fall

Gradually, the temperature difference decreases, the thermometer column slowly slides down. There is almost no dew in nature, sometimes a slight rain passes. May be every 5 days.

So we water the cactus in a similar way. Every 5-7 days, carefully water the cactus. Again, we monitor the temperature of the water. It should be 2-3 ° C below room temperature. Accordingly, we lower the air temperature.

Winter

In natural nature, this time of year is arid and cool. Day and night, approximately the same temperature, which rarely rises above + 16 ° C. There is practically no rain. Sometimes, maybe once a month, a crazy cloud will fly in, a cactus will flood.

Our actions must be identical. Water your prickly pet no more than once a month. We contain at a temperature of about + 16-17 ° C.

In order not to overflow the cactus in the cold season, be sure to make notes in the calendar or diary. Better not rely on your memory, write down the date of the next watering. Or set an alarm with a note on your phone. At the right time, he will notify you that it is time to water the cactus.

With the advent of spring, we gradually increase the watering of cacti. Then repeat the annual cycle.

General requirements

Water for irrigation of cacti should not be too hard. If you use a well, it is better to boil it. So you will be sure that you will not sprinkle the plant byakoy.The same applies to tap water, if after settling on the walls of the dishes there remains a hard salt coating or a thin layer of rust.

We do not recommend using acid to reduce water hardness. It is very easy to overdo it with the number of drops. And in nature, cacti rarely water acid rain. No, of course, if you are a certified chemist, then you can try it. Ordinary mortals are better off boiling the old fashioned way.

Some breeders prefer to water the cactus at home only with rainwater. Or even bring snow from the street, then melt it. All this would be wonderful, if not for the current state of ecology.

Are you sure that together with this natural water you will not bring pathogenic bacteria or half of the periodic table into the house? It is unlikely that cactus will like such additives in the diet. It is advisable to purify any irrigation water as much as possible. It is necessary to feed the cactus with a special fertilizer, instead of an incomprehensible chemical poison in composition.

If you still can’t wait to pamper your prickly pet with meltwater, then do this:

• filter the prepared water for irrigation
• let it stand for at least a day
• transfer to a suitable container (tight bag or plastic container)
• put in the freezer
• after 3 days, remove the ice from the freezer
• let it melt completely and cool to room temperature
• carefully pour into another container, being careful not to agitate the sediment

That's all, now you have clean meltwater, which you can calmly water the cactus. It is important not to boil this wonderful liquid at any stage of preparation. Otherwise, the structure will completely change. Then why all the preparations?

After each watering carefully watch for the presence of excess fluid in the pan. Even in spring and summer, when you drink cacti abundantly and regularly, the pallet should remain dry. Be sure to drain everything from it to the last drop. Otherwise, the roots of the plant will begin to decay, and you will have to persistently treat it for a long time.

For the same reason, it is not recommended to plant a cactus in a clay or ceramic pot. This material perfectly absorbs moisture, gradually giving it away when the earthen coma dries up. This is not visible from the outside, so you will water your prickly friend more than necessary. And moisture will accumulate. Then the rotting of the roots or the disease of the plant itself will begin. And you will puzzle for a long time where it came from.

Use plastic pots. So you will be sure that all the excess liquid in the glass pan.

In summer and spring, when keeping cacti in a street condition, pay attention to the humidity of the environment. After rain or cloudy weather you can skip watering. The cactus will have enough of the liquid that is in the air.

At extremely high temperatures, on the contrary, watering is more frequent. After all, dry air is as fatal to a cactus as it is to other plants. Undoubtedly, a cactus can easily tolerate the drying up of an earthen coma. But still, the supply of his vitality is not infinite.

With special attention, observe the watering regime if the cactus began to produce buds. It is strictly forbidden to change anything when the first rudiments of flowers appear. The slightest deviation from the usual conditions of detention - and instead of flowers from buds, young shoots will begin to grow. Wait until the flowering is over. And only then change the irrigation mode to a more suitable, respectively, season.

How to water a cactus at home? As you can see, this is a whole science. But your plants will be as close to natural conditions as possible. Accordingly, they will begin to grow well and delight you.

Video: watering and feeding cacti in spring