How to grow cactus? Cactus cultivation methods and functions

Cactus is a perennial succulent herbaceous plant with spherical or oval stems, commonly known as grass balls. It generally grows in desert areas with high heat, dryness and little rain. Relatively speaking, the cultivation of cactus is relatively simple. Just find a bottom pot and bury it in sand, but it takes a lot of effort to really raise the cactus. So what are the methods of growing cactus? What are the functions of cultivating prickly pear? Below we will answer the above questions one by one for the majority of owners.

1. Cactus cultivation method

1. Sunshine: The cultivation method of prickly pear mainly depends on its growth habits. Cactus is native to South America and is a tropical plant. During breeding, the first thing to ensure is sufficient sunlight. If there is insufficient sunlight for indoor breeding, lighting can be used to supplement it. At the same time, cactus should not be exposed to strong light in the hot summer and should be properly shielded with clothing.

2. Soil: For cactus cultivation, sandy loam soil with good drainage should be selected. For indoor cultivation, a mixture of half and half peat soil and fine sand is often used. Crushed pine needles can also be mixed with fine sand for cultivation. .

3. Watering: Many people have questions about how often to water prickly pear cactus. Cactus growth requires a dry environment, so watering must be controlled. Generally, water that has been dried is used every month. Watering once is enough. Of course, when watering, water it to the bottom at one time. In addition, the amount of watering depends on many factors such as temperature, lighting time, wind strength, etc. Usually the cactus will not die if it is dried, but will only die if it is waterlogged.

4. Fertilization: When cultivating cactus, appropriate fertilizer should be provided, and thin cake fertilizer should be applied every 10 days to half a month during the growing season. In addition, when changing the potting soil for cactus, a small amount of base fertilizer can be applied to the bottom of the pot, such as water chestnut slices, bean cakes or sesame paste residue, but the fertilizer concentration should not be too high.

5. Prevention and control of pests and diseases: Cactus cultivation encounters high temperature and poor ventilation environment, and various diseases and pests are prone to occur. If the disease is found, spray carbendazim or thiophanate to kill it. It should be noted that no matter what kind of liquid is sprayed, it must be moved outdoors.

2. The functions of prickly pear

The functions of prickly pear are mainly divided into four categories:

The ornamental function of prickly pear: the stems, leaves and flowers of prickly pear all have It has high ornamental value. If you grow prickly pear in water, you can not only appreciate its white and tender roots, but also the cute little fish swimming among the roots, which is very pleasing to the eye. Therefore, planting prickly pear at home can beautify the environment, cultivate sentiments, and benefit the body and mind.

The air purifying effect of prickly pear: Cactus cultivation can improve the air quality in your home. It can absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide and release oxygen, especially at night. It also has a strong effect of absorbing formaldehyde, a harmful indoor gas.

Medicinal effects of prickly pear: Planting prickly pear at home also has certain medicinal functions. It has certain curative effects in the treatment of urinary stones, chronic pharyngitis, etc. At the same time, it also has the functions of reducing swelling and relieving pain, promoting qi and blood circulation, removing dampness and clearing heat, promoting muscle growth, clearing the heart and lungs, stopping bleeding, and treating cough due to lung heat and blood in phlegm. For external use, prickly pear can be peeled, pounded and juiced for external application. It is often used for burns, snake and insect bites, and sores on hands and feet. Folks in Fujian also use prickly pear to treat stomachache.

Feng Shui effect of cactus: From the perspective of Feng Shui, cactus placed in the office has the effect of preventing villains and increasing self-defense capabilities. In addition, cactus is often used to remove evil spirits at home. For example, placing a potted cactus in an evil position in the home can suppress the evil spirit. It is worth noting that prickly cactus is not suitable to be placed in the bedroom, otherwise it will As a result, there will be many quarrels and constant disputes at home. It is generally better to place it on the balcony. In addition, putting a red ribbon on the cactus can turn bad luck into good luck.

3. Types of cactus

The types of cactus can be divided into two aspects: narrow sense and broad sense. Cactus in a narrow sense refers specifically to cacti of the Cactaceae family and the genus Prickly Pear, while in a broad sense cactus refers to all spherical or approximately spherical cactus plants. Here we mainly introduce types in broad terms.

Common ornamental cactus include "Grass Ball", "Lion King", "White Snow Light", "Cai Weng Yu", "Da Tong Ling", "Jing Jing Dian", "Children Ball", " "Zi Sun Qiu Jin," "Venus", "White Bird", "Dragon King Qiu", "Heili Qiu", "Dou", etc.

The varieties with strong growth include "Cao Qiu", "Long Wang Qiu", "Lion King", "Dou" and other varieties, while the varieties with weak growth include "Zi Sun Qiu", "Heili Qiu", etc. Small ball. Varieties such as "White Bird", "Jingqiaodian" and "Caiwengyu" are suitable for growing in an environment with sufficient light, good ventilation, and a large temperature difference between day and night due to their high altitude of origin. In addition, their white thorns and easy hairs If it is dirty, it is best to keep it indoors in a well-lit place all year round.

4. Solution to the yellowing of the cactus

How to find out that the cactus has started to turn yellow. First check to see if the roots are rotten. If not, dig out the cactus and put it in a cool place. Leave it for two days, wait until the roots are dry, and then replant it into the soil, with as little watering and exposure to sunlight as possible. If it is found that the roots are rotten, cut off the rotten part and dry the wound before burying it.

5. The flowering period of prickly pear

Generally, the flowering period of prickly pear is 3 years, that is, it only blooms once every three years. Because the main growth period of prickly pear is summer, summer is also the flowering of prickly pear. Expect. The flowers of different varieties have different colors. The flowers bloom in the longitudinal thorn bushes of the cactus, but their blooming time is very short. They usually close during the day and bloom at night. The blooming time lasts from a few hours to a day.

6. Does the cactus protect against radiation?

From a scientific perspective, the cactus has no direct radiation protection effect. Just because the pores on the cactus flesh will be closed during the day and open at night, it will absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night. Therefore, it has the function of increasing fresh air and negative ions, thus reducing electromagnetic radiation. At the same time, it is harmful to bacteria in the air. It also has a good inhibitory effect.

There is still no scientific basis for the so-called radiation protection effect of cactus. The general saying about radiation protection next to the computer is that if you place a cactus next to the computer display, you don't have to stare at the source of radiation, the computer monitor, occasionally look at the cactus and rest your eyes, thereby achieving indirect radiation protection.

The above is how to cultivate cactus? All information on cactus cultivation methods and functions.