Cactus: Thriving in a native environment
DESERT cacti hail throughout the arid regions of the world. Many people envision cacti growing in pure Sahara desert sands with practically no water.
By Winnie Rukidi
Desert Cacti
DESERT cacti hail throughout the arid regions of the world. Many people envision cacti growing in pure Sahara desert sands with practically no water. This common misconception should not be in your mind when you are preparing an environment for your desert cacti.
There are small rounded, flat and cylindrical plants. There are shrubby, segmented and sprawling kinds and there are the large columnar and tree-like giants. Although even within each of these groups growing conditions vary from one plant to another.
Soil
Most cacti prefer a nutrient rich, rocky soil with well draining soils. To create a suitable growing medium for desert cacti you will need garden soil, rocks, sand, manure and gravel. Just remember that cacti roots need well-draining, airy soil that will re-wet easily.
A simple observation to determine if your mix is suitable can be made each time you water. The water should not sit on top of the surface and eventually drain down through the mix.
Instead the water should very quickly soak down through the pot and out the drain holes at the bottom. Always make sure that your pots have good drainage holes and that no water is able to sit in the bottom of the pot.
Water
The ability to survive in extremely hot, arid, harsh habitat is a truly fantastic attribute of cacti. However the notion that cacti do not need water to survive is unquestionably false.
The reality is water is essential for all cacti to live. Their reputation comes from their ability to survive in areas where water is available in small amounts or is delivered infrequently. Most desert cacti can sustain long periods of drought. This is because they store as much water as possible in their tissues. Additionally cacti contain many features that enable them keep that moisture.
Desert cacti are made to thrive in their native environment, which is most likely not anything like the environment where you will be growing them. Whether potted or in the ground, a good time to water desert cacti is whenever the soil is dry.
In very hot conditions watering once a week is acceptable but in more humid or cooler areas, it may be three to four weeks before the soil dries enough to warrant more water. The key then is not to avoid watering, but rather just do not over-water.
Light
Unlike the jungle cacti, desert cacti typically prefer a lot more light. It is not wise to move cacti into the full sun until they have a healthy root-system. Even if potted plants are established, full sun should be avoided. The sun will heat the roots in pots to temperatures much higher than roots in the ground.
Desert Cacti
DESERT cacti hail throughout the arid regions of the world. Many people envision cacti growing in pure Sahara desert sands with practically no water. This common misconception should not be in your mind when you are preparing an environment for your desert cacti.
There are small rounded, flat and cylindrical plants. There are shrubby, segmented and sprawling kinds and there are the large columnar and tree-like giants. Although even within each of these groups growing conditions vary from one plant to another.
Soil
Most cacti prefer a nutrient rich, rocky soil with well draining soils. To create a suitable growing medium for desert cacti you will need garden soil, rocks, sand, manure and gravel. Just remember that cacti roots need well-draining, airy soil that will re-wet easily.
A simple observation to determine if your mix is suitable can be made each time you water. The water should not sit on top of the surface and eventually drain down through the mix.
Instead the water should very quickly soak down through the pot and out the drain holes at the bottom. Always make sure that your pots have good drainage holes and that no water is able to sit in the bottom of the pot.
Water
The ability to survive in extremely hot, arid, harsh habitat is a truly fantastic attribute of cacti. However the notion that cacti do not need water to survive is unquestionably false.
The reality is water is essential for all cacti to live. Their reputation comes from their ability to survive in areas where water is available in small amounts or is delivered infrequently. Most desert cacti can sustain long periods of drought. This is because they store as much water as possible in their tissues. Additionally cacti contain many features that enable them keep that moisture.
Desert cacti are made to thrive in their native environment, which is most likely not anything like the environment where you will be growing them. Whether potted or in the ground, a good time to water desert cacti is whenever the soil is dry.
In very hot conditions watering once a week is acceptable but in more humid or cooler areas, it may be three to four weeks before the soil dries enough to warrant more water. The key then is not to avoid watering, but rather just do not over-water.
Light
Unlike the jungle cacti, desert cacti typically prefer a lot more light. It is not wise to move cacti into the full sun until they have a healthy root-system. Even if potted plants are established, full sun should be avoided. The sun will heat the roots in pots to temperatures much higher than roots in the ground.