Most cactus lovers have often wondered that even after pampering their plants with all the exotic fertilizers, sprays and feeds, the plants don’t respond as well as they would want or expect them to. Plants just don’t obtain the shine and fresh growth as seen in nursery grown plants or as seen on plants in cactus shows or in books.
Why aren’t my cacti Neighbour’s Envy ?
Apart from having content neighbors, the basic reasons are explained below:-
A plant needs L A W N where :-
1. L stands for LIGHT. Preferred conditions are :-
a. Uniform strength of light throughout the day. Try and avoid strong sun only in one part of the day on the plant. ( This happens when plants are kept in verandahs)
b. Uniform period of light through out the year. Since winters have short days and also the sun shifts its arc, the plants deep in verandahs are likely to get no direct light. Consider shifting plants as season changes to meet plant’s requirements.
c. If Sun is too strong use shade nets or filtered light.
Fluctuations in light intensity may cause either or all of these – SUN BURN or SCORCHING or IRREGULAR GROWTH BANDS or ETIOLATION.
2. A stands for AIR. Cactus in confined and small rain shelters without air circulation are prone to Rot. A fan to keep air circulation in monsoons helps in :-
a. Drying of excess water from media and plant after watering.
b. Air circulation helps in cooling of plant.
c. Air circulation increases rate of transpiration and consequently food and water uptake from soil.
3. W stands for water. Cacti are found in arid areas and are considered to be wanting less water. Though that may be true but do remember our cacti at homes are much more prettier and do not support that tough desert look. Keep the following in mind :-
a. There is no periodicity of watering like once a week or in 10 days or so. Get a feel of you plant.
b. As a rule your plant should be watered in growing season when you see that media is thoroughly dry after previous watering.
c. If media has more of organic fiber content and if it is allowed to become too dry, it starts repelling water. So when you water , the water simply bounces off the surface without going to the roots.
d. On the contrary waterlogged media will not allow the roots to respire and will lead to root rot or plant rot. In case only the roots rot, the plant growth then stagnates. So be careful to use
only effective cactus media for your pants.
4. N stands for Nutrients. For nutrients to be effective, we have to ensure the following :-
a. Media should be conducive for root growth.
b. Media should not have accumulated salts.
c. PH of media should be low.
d. If growing in cocopeat, buy low EC cocopeat as it has less salt content.
e. Give nutrients only in growing season.
f. Cactus has ribs and intercostal space which helps in expansion and contraction during lean period and growth period. If plants are fed too fast and watered too much in growing periods their skin might develop cracks.
g. Other than normal NPK other additives which can be given are, amino acid mixes, Sea weed mixes, Vitamin mixes. There are too many sprays and nutrients available in the market. However, a simple spray of Amino acids and some organic additives for media like bone meal, bone dust or sterameal are enough. Nothing more than that is required. Too much pampering is also not good.
Well, Happy Growing!!!