Although Arizona is renowned for its enormous natural outdoor population of cactus -a cactus can also thrive brilliantly indoors under the correct conditions. The two types of cacti that do well indoors are the desert cacti and the forest cacti. Both are capable of blossoming beautiful looking blooms but they grow in very different ways.
Tips For Growing Indoor Desert Cacti
Desert cacti are easy to grow and produce outstandingly beautiful blooms and flowers. Although there are many kinds of desert cacti, the following tips will help regardless of the type you have:
- A strong light source is required for desert cacti especially in the cooler part of the year. On the other hand, it is possible to scorch a cactus in the direct heat of the summer if they have not been previously hardened.
- 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for desert cacti in the summer and around 55 degrees in the winter months. Remember cacti are used to very cold and chilly winter nights in their natural outside habitat.
- Water the desert cacti whenever the compost starts to dry in summer time but in winter time only add water if you notice the plant starting to shrivel.
- You can pot the cactus in soil with the addition of perlite that increased drainage and aeration. It is not often the case desert cacti needs repotting and it may thrive more if it is slightly underpotted.
- If you can use a specialized cactus fertilizer it can be of great benefit during the growing season. Non cacti fertilizers usually do not produce the same results so a specialist fertilizer is really a good idea!
- Overwatering a desert cacti is the most prevalent concern. It may cause rot at the base of the plant or at the tips of the plant. If you discover your cactus already has rot, it may be time to establish new plants by utilizing cuttings.
Tips For Growing Indoor Forest Cacti
Often found in tropical and subtropical regions, Forest Cacti frequently cling to trees and bloom in many colors. They also make great hanging plants. The following hints should help you grow fantastic indoor forest cacti:
- Forest cacti prefer bright but not direct sunlight.
- During their growing season, forest cacti thrive when the temperature is anywhere between 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, during the rest cycle of the plant, a cooler temperature of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit is essential. During the summer you can water the plant as you would any other household plant. When the plant is resting, it only needs to be watered when the soil is dry.
- Forest cacti needs to be repotted at the start if each growing season with a regular potting mix.
- Forest cacti works well with standard fertilizers but be sure to taper them down during the course of the growing cycle.
- If you are fortunate enough to own a Christmas cactus and you want to get multiple blooms from it, a little preparation is needed. Before you want the plant to flower, cut it back and induce a period of rest where fertilizing and watering is reduced and the plant keep in a cool (50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit) environment. After 30 to 60 days, take the plant to a warmer place and then resume the watering process. Shortly, buds will start to show. It is also required to move the plant outside during the summer.
- Forest cacti do not need to be watered heavily during the plants rest cycle.
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