Cactus is a unique plant that usually grows in the desert. Cacti are adapted for long periods without water. Instead of leaves from which water leaves easily, this magnificent plant has spikes that significantly reduce the evaporation of the liquid. Spikes also protect this succulent from hungry predators and birds. The cactus has short roots, which also minimize evaporation. Cactus is a vascular plant, which means that it can support itself when it grows up. Are you looking for an answer to the question of how to transplant a cactus? Everything is pretty simple. Let's talk about this in more detail.
Transplant Instructions
Cacti have surprisingly short roots that store water inside the plant. You do not need a very deep container as a new cactus house. Enough so high that you can put drainage on the bottom and leave room for the cactus itself.
Using a spatula or spoon, carefully free the ground around the edges of the current pot. Try dumping the cactus and its soil onto a sheltered surface (such as a table covered in a newspaper). If the soil holds like cement around the base of a cactus, don't worry about it! It’s easier to transplant a cactus with its “root lump” and soil than one that has loose roots.
Prepare a new pot by covering the drainage hole with a lid and then filling it with soil. Leave enough space for the roots. Ideally, the old soil with a cactus is placed in a slightly larger pot than previously, and is filled up with new soil.
If the cactus does not have soil attached to its roots, fill in a new pot as described above and use a spoon to create space for the roots. Wear leather or rubber gloves or use a rolled-up piece of lightweight paperboard (such as an old box) to grab a cactus and put it back in place. In this situation, it is better to have an assistant on hand to assist in filling the pot with soil and tamping it down while you are holding the cactus in position. Try to arrange it in a pot so that the earth reaches the same level as in the old one where it grew before. Do not try to plant the cactus deeper. The soil around the base must be very hard to keep it upright. As you can see, the transplant process is quite simple. And if you still have doubts about how to transplant a cactus, then do not worry, it's easy.
At the final stage, you need to moisten the cactus a little, but not so much that it does not roll over from softening the soil.
Having dealt with the question of how to transplant a cactus, it is necessary to mention what kind of care a cactus needs. Many of these plant species are well adapted to different growing conditions and are therefore widely used as ornamental plants both outdoors and indoors. Cacti, as a rule, are easy to care for, because they do not need a lot of water or types of fertilizing. Cactus transplantation is completed. Care should now be more thorough.
Cactus care
After transplanting cacti, they need help for a while. If necessary, you can use temporary supports (for example, pencils or sticks) to support the plant during the first days, until a strong root system develops.
Cacti are irrigated approximately once a month, depending on climate humidity: in wet areas less watering is required than where it is dry.
The cactus needs to be given good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases that sometimes infect these plants.
Cactus breeding
If you thought about the question of how to propagate a cactus, then know how cacti have vegetative propagation. For propagation, a healthy specimen without spots is selected. You can also grow a new plant using seeds.
Knowing how to transplant a cactus will help grow your plant healthy and beautiful. The whole procedure will take you less than an hour. The best time for a cactus transplant is between August and October.