This article throws light upon the four main steps for growing of cacti and succulents. The steps are: 1. Climate 2. Soil 3. Propagation 4. Watering.
Step # 1. Climate:
Cacti are adaptable to wide range of climatic conditions. The extremes of temperature i.e. above 35°C and exposure to direct scorching sun results into yellowing and finally rotting. Plants should be shaded to protect them.
Very low temperature also inhibits the growth of cacti. The plants also have a resting period. During this period cacti need little care and watering at longer intervals. Active growth starts again during spring season and continues till autumn.
Step # 2. Soil:
Cacti thrive well in porus and rich calcareous soil. Therefore, for making a pot mixture care should be taken to include all necessary gradients which are beneficial for their growth. The general ideal pot mixture for cacti consists of 2 parts garden soil; 1 part sand; 1 part leaf mould; 1 part well rotten manure; 1 part old mortar or lime stone gravel and ½ part charcoal.
Small amount of bone meal or basic slag should also be added. Plants become succulent and susceptible to rotting by excessive addition of chemical fertilizers and thus, frequent application should be avoided. Un-decomposed organic matter causes rotting of roots.
Step # 3. Propagation:
Cacti can be multiplied sexually as well as asexually. Seeds are collected from ripened fruit and are sown from March to September in pots, seed pans, or boxes. The mixture for sowing the seeds consists of 1 part garden soil; 1 part sand; 1 part leaf mould. Seeds are sown and gently covered with sand and then with glass plate. Seeds germinate but seedlings grow slowly and it takes long time to make a specimen plant from seeds.
Vegetative methods are very popular to multiply the cacti. Division of off set or clumps or root suckers is an easy method which is generally followed in Mammillaria, Rebutia, Trichocereus, Cleistocactus, Echinocereus.
Another easy method employed is by cuttings which are conveniently used. Cuttings of convenient length are made and kept for drying 7-30 days before planting. Then these cuttings are planted in sand and new growth shows that rooting has taken place.
Grafting is a useful method and grafted cacti are generally preferred. Weakly growing plants are grafted over strongly growing rootstocks. The ideal season of grafting is spring or autumn. Genera like Cereus, Trichocereus, Harrisia, Opuntia, Cleistocactus, etc. are generally employed as rootstock.
Plain cuts are provided on stock and scion. Scion is placed over rootstock and pressure is provided by placing some flat wood in cross ways or by tying with a rubber band string for a month. Then the pressure is released. Wedge grafting is also very successful method for propagation.
Step # 4. Watering:
Cacti and succulents do not need liberal watering. Judicious application of water is required for successful growing. In winter months i.e. during rest period watering is to be done very sparingly. Little frequent watering is done during summer months when cacti grow. Every time the soil is to be drenched completely so that water comes out of the drain hole and over-watering should be avoided.