The use of indoor plants in the interior of the premises has become a fashionable and modern design. With the help of magnificence, a piece of wildlife can be ennobled and cozy any corner of rooms, offices, lobbies and halls. Large green spaces, or low flowering plantings, can become the interior solution, and sometimes only a separate fragment of a colorfully decorated composition is enough and the room will sparkle with new colors. Among these plants that can emphasize the individuality of the interior are the cactus family.
Guest from another continent
To date, the history of this peculiar plant is considered mysterious. Scientists suggest that the arid regions of South America are the birthplace of cacti. The family of succulents has adapted for millennia in a climatic environment accompanied by dehydration of the soil, formed its organic properties. In the world of plants, there are still no such specimens that can use the internal reserves of liquid for a rather long time.
Today, cactus families grow in many countries. Quite often they are found in both South and North America, the Mediterranean countries, Europe, and, of course, in Russia. In natural conditions, succulents adapted well in the south of our country, in home or office environments they can be found on almost the entire territory of our vast country.
Cacti in the interior
Succulents differ from other plants in that they have a variety of shapes and appearance configurations: round, oval, branched. This makes it possible to decorate cacti both as independent compositions and to create, in combination with other plantings, unique decor elements. Blooming succulents look very impressive, their use in the interior will soften even the most rigorous style. An original flower pot or planter will become a great assistant in decorating a low-key cactus, all sorts of attributes attributes: rhinestones, bows, beads, butterflies will be able to emphasize its individuality. In a word, despite its unsightly appearance and pricklyness, cacti can give the interior of the premises a peculiar look.
Cactus species
Plants of the cactus family are divided into four types:
- Pereskiev subfamily - are shrubs with round stems and flat leaves on them. Spines are located in the axils of the leaf, the flowers are most often single on the peduncle, or combined into a common inflorescence. They grow in natural conditions.
- The opuntia subfamily is a very common species, has a variety of forms and species, there are up to 300 species. This type of cactus is characterized by flat leaves with spines, resembling “ears” on the stem. Grown for decorating rooms.
- The subfamily of the Mauchienids - in appearance resembles the previous family, is distinguished by the absence of thorns, resistance to frosty air. They grow mainly in the southern latitudes of the American continent.
- Cactus subfamily - representatives of this species are actively bred at home. Unlike previous families, they have a spherical, conical or cylindrical shape, the leaves are completely absent.
Since this type of succulents is widespread in our country, we will consider it in more detail.
Some varieties of indoor cactus families
- Aporocactus wattled - has the appearance of hanging stems with a thickness of about 1 cm. It grows slightly during the year; flowers appear in spring. Ideal for hanging planters.
- Astrophytum Capricorn - at the initial stage of growth it has the shape of a ribbed ball, with age it takes the size of a cylinder. Adult plants reach a height of up to 35 cm, flowers are formed in the summer, most often yellow in the form of chamomile. Depending on the variety, it may have spikes of curved shape or straight.
- The prickly pear prickly pear - has small hooked spikes of a white or reddish hue, grows up to 30 cm in height. It has various shapes and sizes, therefore it is widely used in interiors.
- Tiny Rebucia - the shape of a ball with a diameter of about 5 cm and a height of no more than 10 cm. It blooms annually, the inflorescence is tubular in size with a bright orange hue. Below is a photo of the cactus family of this species.
- Trichocereus whitening - plant sizes reach up to 1.5 m in height with the expansion of the upper part of the leaf.
- Mammillaria bokasskaya is a cactus of a round or oval shape of a silver hue. In spring, it is covered with small flowers encircling the stem.
- Kleistocactus Strauss - this species is common when decorating rooms. It grows up to 1 m high and has white spikes that densely cover the surface of the stem, which looks very impressive overall.
- Echinopsis is a very hardy specimen, can go without watering for a long time, therefore it is often grown at home on balconies or verandas.
The names of the cactus family to date, there are about 200 species. Each variety has its own characteristics that differ from other types in shape, color, size and shade of the flower, type of spike.
Location selection
Beginning florists mistakenly believe that care for these unpretentious plants is minimal - it is enough to water occasionally and all the worries are over. However, this version is erroneous. Cacti require special attention and care, only then can they be fully developed and please the owner with exotic flowering.
Plant care begins with a choice of location. Here it is worth remembering that cacti negatively relate to direct drafts and do not like permutations from one place to another. All of the above plants are among the desert cacti, so they will feel comfortable on the south or southeast windows. The so-called forest succulents will feel more comfortable in the northern or western part of the room. The type of such a family of cactus photos and the name is Schlumberger Buckley, or simply “Decembrist” and his brothers: epiphyllum, Ripsalidopsis Gartner.
Content temperature
The most optimal temperature for plants - daytime should not exceed 30 degrees, nighttime - not lower than 10. In the spring-summer period, succulents will be happy with bright sunlight, since it is at this time that the plant actively grows, develops and blooms. In the winter season, cacti should be removed from the windowsill, create a cool environment and prevent hypothermia and drafts.
Watering
In winter, almost all plants are at rest; cactus families are no exception. The need for moisture at this time of year is minimal, therefore, watering for adult specimens should be carried out with a frequency of no more than once a month, for young people - once every two to three weeks. With the onset of warm days, the plant needs to increase watering, since an active period of growth begins. Humidify cacti more often - once every 7-14 days, depending on the month. In summer, the succulents are rapidly developing and flowering; watering should be increased once every two to three days.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I want to summarize all of the above. To date, there are a huge variety of species and subspecies of cactus families. Each variety has its own, characterizing this particular group of succulents, signs and differences. Despite the unsightly appearance and pricklyness, these plants, thanks to various shapes, sizes and shades, occupy a worthy place in our everyday life.