How to water a cactus at home

Who was the first to come up with the stereotype that cacti should not be watered? Now we are unlikely to find out. Based on what happened this fiction? Unless, on knowledge of winter leaving. In principle, now it does not matter who let this bike into the people. Much more important is the right care, in which water is, perhaps, central.

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

For each season there is its own irrigation system. It is based on the natural vegetative cycle of the cactus. At different times, the plant requires 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 habitat this season is the rainy season. Therefore, the water should be soft, defended. Better filtered and room temperature. Water cacti need every day. Very little, but often.

Do not be afraid of stagnating 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

As a rule, the cactus sits in a small pot. And in the summer heat, the land in it dries quickly enough. So do not be afraid to destroy the cactus with such frequent watering. All that he does not have time to drink, safely evaporate or drain through the drainage.

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

Autumn

Gradually, the temperature difference decreases, the thermometer slowly slips down. In nature, dew almost does not happen, sometimes a light rain passes. Maybe once in 5 days.

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

Winter

In nature, this time of year is dry and cool. Day and night are about the same temperature, which rarely rises above + 16 ° C. Almost no rain. Sometimes, maybe once a month, a crazy cloud will arrive, a cactus will flood.

Our actions must be identical. We water our spiny pet no more than once a month. Contain at a temperature of about + 16-17 ° C.

In order not to pour 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 the phone.At the right time, he will inform you that it is time to water the cactus.

With the arrival of spring, we gradually increase the watering of cacti. Further, the annual cycle is repeated.

General requirements

Water for watering cacti should not be too hard. If you use well, then it is better to boil it. So you will be sure that you will not water the plant byakoy. The same applies to tap water, if after settling on the walls of the pot there is a hard salt buildup 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 watered acid rain. No, of course, if you are a certified chemist, you may well try. Mere mortals better in the old manner to boil.

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 great if it were 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 to your house? It is unlikely that cactus will like such supplements in the diet.It is desirable to maximally clean any water for irrigation. Feed the cactus need special fertilizer, instead of incomprehensible chemical poison.

If you still can not wait to pamper your spiny pet with melt water, then do this:

• filter prepared water for irrigation
• let her stand for at least 24 hours
• pour into a suitable container (tight package or plastic container)
• put in freezer
• after 3 days, remove the ice from the freezer
• let it melt completely and cool to room temperature
• transfer to another container carefully, taking care not to stir the sediment.

That's it, now you have pure melt water, which you can safely 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 monitor the presence of excess fluid in the pan. Even in spring and summer, when you water the cacti plentifully and regularly, the pallet must remain dry. Be sure to drain it all to the last drop. Otherwise, the roots of the plant will begin to rot, and you will have to persist in treating 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 lump dries. Outside this is not visible, so you will water your prickly friend more than you need. And the moisture will accumulate. Then rotting of the roots or the disease of the plant itself begins. And you will long be puzzled where it came from.

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

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

At extremely high temperatures, on the contrary, watering is increasing. After all, dry air is also destructive for a cactus, as well as for other plants. Undoubtedly, the cactus tolerates the drying of the earthy coma quite easily. But still the supply of his vitality is not infinite.

With particular attention to observe the mode of watering, if the cactus began to produce buds. It is strictly forbidden to change anything when the first buds 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 end of flowering. And only then change the mode of irrigation to a more suitable, according to the season.

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

Video: watering and feeding cacti in the spring