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Cactus

Are you interested in goring cactus or are you facing any problem in gardening cactus? Then this article is for you. In this article we will tell you everything about cactus plants; you will know what are they, why to grow them and how to grow them? We are going to give a detailed explanation on how to develop the cactus plants, what diseases it is likely to face and how to prevent them? Excited! Read further to know more…

A Cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. A distinctive characteristic of the Cactus plant is the presence of thorns. In order to grow healthy cactus plants, we must know some important facts about the Cactus which will be discussed in the below points.

Why does a cactus have thorns?

A Cactus generally has thorns with a thick and succulent stem. Cactus plants have evolved in order to endure ans survive in harsh and hot climates. In order to prevent water loss due to transpiration in leaves, the leaves of the cactus have evolved into thorns. The stem of the cactus is generally succulent and fleshy. The water is stored in the stem part which also carries out the process of photosynthesis. Also, the thorns help to protect the cactus plant from grazing animals which would have otherwise eaten them up.

Are cactus plants useful in any way?

Many species of the cactus plants are used for ornamental value, fodder, forage, fruits (prickly pear dragon fruit), cochineal (dye), fencing material, valuable wood for construction (Dead pillar) and pharmaceutical significance.

Will a thorny cactus plant look good in my garden?

Many cactus plants are very pretty to look at and what most people don’t know is that they have the capacity to flower too. The common mental picture of a cactus plant is a prickly green plant, but there are many cacti with accents of red, pink, yellow and other colours. A cactus garden adds not only variety to your garden but also beautifies the garden. It lends an exotic look to your collection of plants. Moreover, they are incredibly easy to maintain and are very cost effective to grow.

cactus with double flowers

Is a cactus plant difficult to grow?

Cactus plants are mercifully very easy to grow. Like the Flobberworms in Harry Potter books, they flourish with minimal care, rather a cactus plant may die due to factors such as an excess of watering. They can survive for extended periods without water and in harsh climates. Cactus plants are very cheap to buy; you may get them for free on most occasions unless you are looking for very exotic or rare species.

What kind of soil is suitable to grow cactus plants?

Not every soil is useful for growing cactus. Soil should be porous that drains well and allows some drying out between watering. Covering the top soil with shells, small pebbles or coarse gravel, offer quicker water penetration, slower water evaporation, elimination of a crust on the top of the soil, and a neat, attractive look. Two parts perlite or pumice and one part washed building sand is a good ratio of soil that can be used. Adjust the ratios according to your growing conditions, climate and the species of plants you want to grow.

cactus soil

How much sunlight does a cactus need every day?

All cacti in order to flower and to photosynthesize need at least four to six hours of strong light daily.

What is the watering method to be used for cactus plants?

Never let cacti sit in standing water. Water well and thoroughly, letting water pour out of the drain in the pot. Let plants go thoroughly dry between watering. Water infrequently during winter months as cacti grow very little in cold climatic conditions. When plants are vigorously growing and blooming, they will need more water, which is usually seen in the summer season.

cactus fertilizer

Do we need to apply a lot of fertilizers to grow cacti?

Diluted liquid fertilizer can be added to the water every second or third watering during their growing season. Fertilizer with balanced amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potash (20-20-20) can be used. Slow release granular fertilizers can also be used. Low nitrogen and high phosphorous content induces bloom and improves flower size. Precaution should be taken not to over-fertilize as plants may grow too lushly or lose their characteristic shape . It is safe to use less fertilizer. Do remember that cactus plants have adapted to grow in arid soils and do not need excess water or fertilizer.

How frequently do we need to transplant cacti? What precautions must be taken while handling cacti?

Cacti do not need frequent transplanting as they are slow growing plants. Thin rubber gloves can be used to protect the fingers while transplanting and handling small plants. Tongs also work well. Rolled newspapers, section of hose wrapped around the larger plants makes it easier to move the plants. Be gentle while taking the plant from the old pot otherwise the roots may cut. Slowly take away old soil around the root ball, without breaking the roots or the root ball. In the new pot add new soil mix and place the plant on top filling in around the sides maintaining the same level as it was in the old pot. Keep the plant dry for few days. This will avoid rot of broken roots that are damaged or broken during the transplanting when watering, let it drain thoroughly.

How do cactus plants propagate?

Cactus plants can propagate by seeds, cuttings, leaves, tissue culture and grafting. The easiest method that we recommend for beginners is propagation through cutting as it involves the least amount of complications and as per our experience, it has high successful yielding rate. Nevertheless, you are free to explore all the methods of growing cacti and choose the method that you are happy with.

• Propagation by seeds: The seed is minute, as big as a dust particle. Soil has to be fine for germination. Moderate heat, shady place and watering regularly in small quantities so that soil should not become soggy.
• Propagation by cuttings: Cutting should be 2”-3” in height (as small ones may rot).Use a sharp knife to prevent tissue damage.
• Propagation by Leaves: This process takes few weeks for the leaf to bear a tiny plantlet at the base. The leaf should be placed in a cool, shady place. Carefully plant the leaf in a container with porous soil, and should be watered frequently in less quantities, not to dry completely while the roots form.
• Propagation by Tissue Culture: This method is followed in laboratories. This produces many plants fairly rapidly from the cells of just one plant. In petri dishes agar, hormone and nutrition liquids are used. From single cells many cells are produced leading to the formation of a new, complete, fully functioning plant. Tissue culture propagation is very akin to “cloning”.
• Propagation by Grafting: In this method two cactus are taken. A process that unites one cactus with another cactus (usually one that grows faster or is less problematic).

What are the diseases that may affect a cactus?

Cactus can be affected by bacteria, fungus and pests. The following are the different diseases caused by various organisms

Bacterial diseases: Soft rot
Fungal diseases: Aloe Rust, Basal Stem Rot, Black or Sooty Mold
Pests: Aphods, Whitefly, Snails, Scale Insects, Aloe Mite, Red Spider Mite, Mealy bugs

cactus with mealybugs

How do we prevent these diseases?

The pests most frequently affecting cactus plants are mealybugs, nematodes and scale insects. If affected by nematodes, soil from the roots must be removed and re-potting must be done with pasteurized soil or fertilizer mix. For mealybugs and scale, you can scrub with warm water and toothbrushes.

The most common disease is rot. Rots can be aggravated by improper watering, forcing growth during periods of dormancy, and wounding plants when re-potting.

Sometimes the plant can be saved by cutting out and removing material one-half inch beyond the area that looks decayed. The wound should be washed with a solution of one part household bleach and nine parts water.

The plant should be kept in intensive care in an area of low humidity until it recovers. If this does not result in a recovery, it is better to get rid of the plant.

In a nutshell, what care needs to be taken to grow cactus plants?

Proper proportions of good drainage, generous but infrequent watering, regular diluted feedings, good light and fresh air are the basic needs.

In conclusion, Cactus plants are a low cost (almost free), low maintenance, less water consuming plants to add variety and exoticness to your garden. Even without much gardening knowledge or experience, you can have reasonable success growing cactus plants.

I can tell you one thing for certain, i.e., after reading this guide, you will definitely get interest in growing cactus, so while doing the same, if you have any doubt or facing any problem, feel free to ask us. Good luck!

nitrogen cycle

To increase the level of productivity of fruits and vegetables in your home garden few tricks are necessary to learn. But before that it has to be understood what is the most important factors that matter the most to the growth, repair and developments of your plants. The scientific research evidently shows that the presence of nitrogen in the soil proves to be most vital in the healthy cell formation as well as in photosynthetic reaction. It has been known that if the plant is deprived of nitrogen it may lead to the most fatal state.

To get the increased productivity in your home garden a consistent flow of nitrogen is necessary at a regular interval after testing the quality of the soil. Volatility of nitrogen supply is absolutely undesirable as the plant may fall short of this major element. For vegetable nutrition there is also another danger of nitrogen getting set free into the air through de-nitrifying process. Sometimes excessive rainfall washes all the nitrogen away from the soil. The volatile condition may cause the leaves turn yellow. And any novice person having wrongly understood the symptom as the cause of water deficiency starts showering more water over it. As a result more amount of nitrogen compound drains out fro the soil.

Now you may argue what would be the result is excessive amount of nitrogen is added. The leaves may turn red or the stem may bend down or the plant becomes dry. This is another phenomenon. So a balanced diet is the correct solution. But it is difficult to understand how much nitrogen you have to add to banish all these possibilities.

nitrogen in soil

That is exactly why we advise you to buy a tester. This instrument will help you to take the readings of how much nitrogen the soil contains or how much it needs. However if you see that it crosses the optimum level, you don’t need to put any extra to it. But if the readings show that it is bellow optimum level and the soil still requires some amount of nitrogen some amount of nitrogen.

Now you have to decide whether you would prefer chemical fertilizer or natural fertilizers that are easily available in the home. Blood fish, Soybeans, Alfalfa, animal waste are rich source of nitrogen, so you may try any of these.

Home gardening is very widely popular practice as the garden is in itself a good source of fresh oxygen. The sweet aroma of flowers and fruits keeps you refreshing all the day. You breath fresh, you eat fresh, the vitamins provide vitality in your body and you enjoy life.

Photosynthesis is the natural process by which all the vegetation on earth get their energy. Unless the trees or plants get that required energy no cell division or cell development is possible. Both these functions are as essential as the existence of all the vegetable world. And here in lies the importance of a most essential element Nitrogen that is necessary for these biological processes. The absence of nitrogen in the soil proves to be an impediment to the healthy growth and life cycle of any plant..

So, while you are thinking about home gardening that means your are liable to take proper care of every plant and vegetable that is growing in your home garden. In that case you must have to possess some basic knowledge about it. Fro the above paragraph we come to know how nitrogen takes a vital role to sustain the growth and development of your plants. So volatility of nitrogen supply may do harm to the vegetables in the garden. As nitrogen tends to escape into the air, regularity should be maintained for supplying nitrogen into the soil. Sometimes heavy rainfall drains out nitrogen from the soil. So there comes the problem of nitrogen deficiency.

photosynthesis

To overcome these problems we should frequently mix nitrogen enriched fertilizer with the soil. But the question arises in the mind what should be the amount of nitrogen that we are going to add. Because the deficiency of it may cause leaves turn yellow but if added to an excess the leaves turn red or brown. These are not healthy signs for a plant. This is the symptom that the plant got pestilence. When the foliage turns yellow it indicates malnutrition. This disease is termed by the scientist as Clorosis. In this condition the leaves are no longer able to conduct photosynthetic reaction.

But in your home garden if the plants gets an excessive amount of nitrogen, other pestering symptoms follow then. The plants grow dry and sapless and sometimes you may find it in a drooping state. It attracts to the swarm of pestering insects and become susceptible to disease.

Under these circumstances a measured amount of nitrogen should have to be mixed with the soil. You may buy a tester and it will be very much helpful to you. Because after getting the readings from it you are able to know how much nitrogen the soil contains or how much it requires. If it is bellow the optimum level then you can add some more.

Fresh green vegetables are the ultimate resource of vitamins and minerals. And a fresh bite not only make you feel fresh but also boost your body with loads of vitamins. You may grow a variety of vegetables in your private home garden depending on the climate and environment. Really if you harvest with attention and endeavor you can reach a great level of productivity.

Growth of cells and process of photosynthesis ensure the growth and health of your garden plants. And to continue those above biological process your plants need major elements like Nitrogen which determines the growth, maturity and health of the plants and vegetables. Without which you are inhibiting the natural functions and hampering the biological reactions.

Nitrogen is an element that is found almost 78% in the atmosphere. But the gaseous Nitrogen that is available in the air we call it free nitrogen. Despite its high availability the plants cannot intake the Nitrogen directly from the air. During thunder and lightening the nitrogen comes in contact with Oxygen and water vapor and then converts into Nitric acid. Afterwards when the acid mixes with soil it transforms into water soluble Nitrate salt. And this Nitrate salt is sucked the roots of your plants.

basics of photosynthesis

But as in this way your plants do not always get sufficient Nitrogen, the intake of Nitrogen by chemical or natural fertilizer is a common practice. Some bodies do not like to add Urea and Ammonium Salphate to the soil because they think that natural fertilizer is more hygienic than chemical fertilizer. More over a few hold opinions that vegetables nourished with natural fertilizer taste better and delicious.

However the most important aspect of home gardening is that you always have to keep a careful watch over your garden, whether the nitrogen enriched fertilizer in the soil has had a positive impact or not can be traced by observing the growth, freshness, colour and production of fruits in the plants. It is certainly an ominous sign if you find the leaves turning yellow or brown. In that case the obvious reason comes in the mind of any experienced gardener is the lack of nitrogen enriched fertilizer. Due to the absence of Nitrogen the leaves catch common disease like clorosis.

In this given situation the supply of nitrogen in the soil is the only way out. But those who lack practical knowledge falsely think that perhaps the roots are not getting adequate water. So they begin to flood the soil with water without considering the danger that nitrogen may get washed away. Excess in nitrogen also brings about other perils. It may have increased susceptibility to disease and insect gathering. The leaves may turn red also.

In these circumstances a tester is a perfect instrument which gives you the exact readings of nitrogen the soil and you can have a fair estimate of how much nitrogen you require at the present moment. Though it is advisable to give nitrogen frequently in soil of your home garden, supplying a calculated and regulated amount of it is desirable and most scientific.

Here we suggest you to take notice of these concerns. We are sure your gardening experience will be a happy and successful venture.