It has long been no secret that people start indoor plants not only for beauty, but also for communication. The most unpretentious and popular are cacti. Therefore, a moment often arises when a name appears in a motionless and silent pot with a flower. It can be as human, even with a surname and a patronymic, it is possible just a nickname, like a pet. Sometimes just a gentle treatment. Let's try a little systematization and sorting into groups of possible names, so that it is easier for you to decide what to name the cactus.
What can be said about them useful
Cacti are considered plants of the New World, that is, their place of origin is considered North and South America. Over time, they spread throughout the world: birds carried, a man brought with him.
In addition to the decorative meaning, cacti are used as food (for example, pitahaya or dragon fruit), grown as hedges.
If considered historically, they were used on the American continent as medical preparations, in religious ceremonies (for example, as an altar or a sacrificial table), building or painting material.
Why was the cactus called cactus
The word itself came from the classical Greek language, it gave the name to an unknown, quite possibly prickly, plant.
Then in 1737, the Swedish physician Karl Linney introduced the name of this genus into the botanical taxonomy. It is assumed that he abbreviated the name from the word "melocactus", or prickly melon, which the Spanish colonialists called plants with spikes and thorns.
Gender: myth or reality
On the Internet, there are ongoing debates about whether the cactus has sex, whether they can be divided into a boy or a girl.
Opinions are contradictory and ambiguous on this issue.
In any case, for the most accurate understanding of the plant, it is first necessary to determine its exact form.
For deep knowledge, you should turn to the professionals in your field - nerds. With their help, you can fully understand all the subtleties and nuances of the science of cultivation and determine what can be called a cactus.
But to select a name for the plant, there is no need to go into such wilds. It is enough to read detailed information about the type of cactus and recall a biology course about pistils and stamens.
But if there is no desire to go even deeper into reading, then just choose for yourself: a girl or a boy. Usually they psychologically choose a partner of the opposite sex: women will prefer to communicate with a boy cactus, men - on the contrary.
What directions to think
For a serious approach to choosing your friend’s name in a pot, you should decide how you feel about the plant: a new pet, companion, friend or family member. Do you want to call him for fun or to approach with all responsibility to this matter. Many people believe what to name the ship, so it will sail. In relation to a plant, it may sound like this: as you call it, it will grow or bloom. Why not? After all, it has already been proven that the chosen music affects the milk yield of cows. So why can't this be with plants?
First, highlight the possible groups from which names will be selected, what to call a cactus.
Firstly, depending on gender, choose the name of the boy or girl you like.
Secondly, with full respect and reverence, assign the full name, surname, middle name. Like a full-fledged person.
Thirdly, make a nickname by simply shortening the full name of the plant species.
Fourth, take into account the appearance and shape.
Fifth, it may be the name of a pet.
Sixth, you can just show imagination and humor to choose a name.
Now a little more detailed with examples and a list of names, what to call a cactus.
Indoor plant as a small child
Many breeders of indoor plants begin to perceive them as their child. They can tell their joys, sorrows, discuss the news. At the psychological level, an ordinary flowerpot with a plant turns into a ward, a child. Such relationships lead to the fact that the cactus gets its own personal name.
Common names of people are often chosen. When the plant becomes your child, you begin to gently and carefully handle it.
If you perceive the cactus as a boy, you can name: Arkasha, Boriska, Mishulya, Kostenka. That is, the diminutive form of the name begins to apply.
In the case when your decorative flowerpot becomes a place for a girl’s life, the names can be as follows: Anyuta, Glasha, Sofochka, Yanochka and so on.
Such options are familiar to our own children. Alternative names may be foreign, not so characteristic of your area: Jack, Sam, Alfred, Russell.
Already in sufficient assortment created dictionaries of names for various options. You can select on religious, national or other grounds.
Dear and kind
And why not the cactus become your former colleague or beloved relative? At the same time, a respectful appeal by name and patronymic adds a touch of humor and sarcasm. Then a clone of your dear uncle or aunt will dwell at your place with whom you can start a conversation at any time over a cup of tea (better specify whether cacti like tea, maybe they will prefer cocoa or coffee, or what is stronger).
If you do not contact friends, you can choose your favorite combination of name and patronymic. Make a list of what your preferred cactus is and solemnly announce it to the plant. For which combination of cactus smiles, then choose (who knows, suddenly it will be a breakthrough in science).
For example, Sergey Stepanovich, Anatoly Bergamotovich, Ivan Kaktusovich or Valery Valerievich.
I love you for your beauty
Choosing nicknames for pets, they are often associated with external signs, for example, a gray cat can be called Dymkom, and a red dog Lysenk, a chubby hamster, Keg or Cistern. This approach is great for cacti. What to call a green prickly, cucumber-like plant? The options are obvious: Shipastik, Tadpole, Zelenushka, Cucumber, Fluffy (a little sarcastic for a spiny plant, but also reflects the essence), Barb. Or maybe it’s just Cactus, because he is such.
Here, your imagination and the appearance of the plant play an important role. After all, cacti are visually diverse in shape, type of thorns. It sometimes even looks like some kind of subject. So connect all your resources, unlimited imagination and humor.
Name given by biologists
When dozens of names came to mind, but none were to your liking, you can try to turn to the biological name of the cactus species. Name - as an abbreviated version of the original name.
For example, a cactus of Mammillaria, truncate the name to Mammy, or Mom.
Opuntia cactus can be called Pusey or Punei.
The cactus Gymnocalicium is perfect for the names of Gima, Kalya.
Somewhere to trim, in another place to add, rearrange, and a self-created name for your new friend is ready.
And why does he have a proper name?
Without breaking their brains or wasting time, some in communication with prickly friends call them simply affectionate words: sweet, dear, furry, beloved. On the one hand, the conversation is conducted as if with a living person, on the other - the cactus becomes an unnamed interlocutor, an abstract living being.
That is, he is not endowed with some qualities from the nickname, the cactus remains a neutral listener, not personified.
This option is suitable for those who do not want to get too attached and get close to the plant, but at the same time take care and attention.
For fun
If you are a person with a great sense of humor and a good share of irony, you can always approach the choice of what to call a cactus from this side that is characteristic of you. Maybe the cactus will answer you the same, fondly firing with needles.
Again, this can be a man’s warped name, pet’s sarcastic nickname, or even just any word.
Mr. Tus, Mr. Thorn, Sir Barrymore, Lady Gaga, Madame Sit, Pan Salo - that is, choose a respectful treatment of the person.
Hugging, Fluffy, Hairy, or Long-haired, Soft friend is a sarcastic nickname because of the thorns. After all, you hardly want to squeeze a cactus in a strong friendly embrace.
Eggplant, Cucumber, Zucchini, Raspberry, Pumpkin - call the plant another. Perfectly combined with the appeal: Mr. Fasolinka or Mrs. Pear.
And finally
No matter how you call a cactus, it still remains a cactus. But at the same time, he and your good friend, a faithful comrade (will not sell your secrets for a piece of meatballs), an attentive interlocutor.
The chosen name is not so important as your proper care and care is necessary. Then this prickly (and in the shower fluffy and soft) flower will delight you with its appearance.