Cactus are plants with pointed thorns and fleshy stems, which achieve a large storage of water. They generally come from desert areas, where they were adapted to the climatic needs, changing their leaves by thorns.
Although they usually have a round shape to avoid evaporation of the water, there is a great diversity of cactus that is difficult not to find one that fits in a corner of our house, giving an original touch of decoration. There are of all types, shapes and colors.
They are very easy to grow and maintain plants, they are resistant to long-term drought, they endure extreme situations of water, high temperatures and light. The care that these small plants need is not so different from the others, but to avoid problems, we will show you how to take care of a cactus to keep it healthy. They will thank you!
Water
When spring begins, and the risk of frost is disappearing, it is time to water with some frequency, once every 10-12 days. You can increase the frequency progressively until you reach the warmer months, and water every 5-8 days, depending on the areas.
In autumn you should reduce the intensity of irrigation, and water every 8-10 days, spacing it more and more so that the plants can come to rest, until almost cancel the irrigation during December and January, to prevent them from rotting. At best, you can water gently every 20-30 days in the coldest season.
It is better to wet the entire volume of the soil, than several surface irrigations, and let the soil dry between irrigation and irrigation.
Hot
During the winter, they should not be in very warm rooms, since temperatures above 20ºC will prevent winter rest, which is necessary for cactus.
Most cacti do not withstand temperatures below 7ºC. There should be no cold and moisture in the soil or environment around them.
Sun
Although all cacti need a lot of lighting, not all of them support the direct rays of the sun. Species with hairs, strong spines or a high number of them, require full sun; while the species with few thorns, require indirect light or some shade, in addition to ventilation.
If the plant stops growing, acquires a bad color or leaves the roots, it is necessary to transplant it to a bigger pot than the previous one. The best time to do it is spring, if done in winter, the plant may suffer a delay in sprouting. It is also advisable to water until 3-6 days after the transplant, to allow the wounds that have been produced to heal.
These are some of the care you should take into account. The rest, will do the dedication, time and love that you dedicate to your plant. You will be surprised how easy and economical it can be to keep a cactus in top condition!