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Cactus fertiliser - keep the colour in your cacti
To ensure your cacti thrive and flourish, it's crucial to understand the importance of cactus fertiliser.
The right nutrition can make a significant difference.
In this guide, we will explore the importance of cactus fertiliser and give you a bullet-point overview of how to best fertilise your cactus plants.
Also read: The Best Fertiliser - Your Guide
Fertilising cacti is important to ensure their health and growth, but it needs to be done carefully. That's because these plants have specific needs different from other houseplants.
Here are some guidelines on when and how to fertilise cacti:
When to fertilise cacti
- Growing season: The best time to fertilise cacti is during their growing season. Typically, spring to early autumn.
During this period, they are most active and can best utilise the extra nutrients. - Limited in winter: Avoid fertilising during the winter months, as most cacti are in a dormant period and an influx of nutrients can disrupt their natural cycle and potentially lead to damage.
How to fertilise cacti
- Choose the right fertilizer: Use a fertiliser specifically designed for cacti and succulents that is lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium. The nutrients support root growth and flowering without promoting excessive leaf growth, which is not ideal for cacti.
- Dilution: It is important to dilute the fertiliser more than recommended for other plants.
A good rule of thumb is to halve the recommended strength of the product.
This helps to avoid over-fertilisation, which can damage the cactus. - Application: Water your cactus before fertilising to avoid burning the roots with concentrated fertiliser.
Then apply the diluted fertiliser while the soil is moist. This ensures that the nutrients are evenly distributed in the soil. - How often: When it's growing season, fertilise your cactus about once a month.
Keep an eye on your plant to see if you're giving it too much or too little fertiliser.
Why is Cactus Fertilizer Important?
Cacti are adapted to survive in harsh desert environments with minimal nutrient availability.
However, that doesn't mean they don't need nutrition.
Cacti in pots and containers have limited access to natural nutrient sources compared to their outdoor counterparts.
Cactus fertiliser provides the necessary nutrients that help maintain their health and promote growth.
Cacti need less nitrogen compared to other plants. Therefore, it's important to use cactus fertiliser rather than universal fertilisers on a cactus, as nitrogen makes cacti more susceptible to damage
Use of cactus fertilizer
To achieve a healthier and more vibrant cactus.
Proper fertilisation is essential. Here's an in-depth look at the essential steps and considerations for optimal cactus fertilisation:
Choose the Right Amount of Fertilizer: When choosing a fertilizer for your cacti, make sure it is in the right amount for your cactus plants
Fertilizer in the Growing Season: Cacti are most active in spring and summer, when they experience an intense growth period. This is the ideal time to start your fertiliser routine.
Avoid fertilising in winter, as cacti are more dormant and need less nutrition.Avoid over-fertilizing: While fertiliser is important. Too much of it can be harmful. Over-fertilisation can lead to a build-up of salts in the soil, which can damage roots and affect the overall health of the plant. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for proper dosage.
Combine with good drainage: Drainage is crucial for cacti as they don't thrive in waterlogged soil.
Make sure your cactus pots have adequate drainage to avoid rot and root decay.Rinse with water: Once you've fertilised your cacti. Flush excess fertiliser out of the soil by watering thoroughly. This helps prevent the build-up of salts and keeps the soil in balance.
Signs of overfertilisation
- Over-fertilisation: Yellowed leaves, soft or rotten parts of the plant, or a white crystalline deposit on the soil or pot, indicating a build-up of salt from the fertiliser.
- Under-fertilisation: Slow growth, pale or underdeveloped plants, or a lack of flowers can be signs that your cactus needs more nutrients.
By following the guidelines, you can help your cacti thrive, ensuring their health and promoting beautiful blooms.
Always remember to customise care according to the needs of your specific cactus and the specific conditions in your home.
Should you fertilise your cacti in winter?
In general, it is not recommended to fertilise cacti in winter.
This is because most cacti go into a form of dormancy or dormancy during the cooler months. They grow very little or not at all.
During this period, cacti need less nutrients and fertilising them can do more harm than good.
Over-fertilisation can lead to unnatural growth, weaken the plant, or even cause root rot if the soil remains moist and nutrient-rich while the plant is inactive.
If your home or the place where the cactus is located has very warm and bright conditions all year round, your cactus may not go into a distinct dormant period and a very light fertiliser may be acceptable.
Even in these cases, it's better to be careful and be able to use a very weak solution of fertiliser.
It's important to tailor the care of your cactus to its specific growth cycle and environment. In general, consider skipping fertiliser during the winter months and resume light fertilisation in the spring when the growing season starts and the plant shows signs of new growth.
Can you use grow lights in winter - do you still need to fertilise?
Yes, you can use grow lights for cacti in winter, especially if they don't get enough natural sunlight during the darker months. Grow lights can help mimic the natural sunlight conditions that cacti thrive in and can be especially useful in areas with long, dark winters.
By using grow lights, you can support their photosynthesis and growth even when sunlight is limited.
When it comes to fertiliser when using grow lights, it's still best to be cautious. While grow lights can encourage some growth activity in cacti during the winter, many cacti naturally enter a dormant period during the colder months when they require less nutrients.
It's important to consider whether your cactus is actually showing signs of growth or needing extra nutrients before you decide to fertilise.
If you choose to use grow lights and your cactus shows clear signs of growth, you can fertilise with a very weak solution of fertiliser designed for cacti and succulents.
However, it should be done infrequently, perhaps only once in the middle of winter, and only if the plant is actively growing.
Avoiding over-fertilisation is crucial as it can do more harm than good to the plant.
Ultimately, it depends on your specific situation, including the type of cactus you have, the surrounding growing conditions and how active the plant is in winter.
Monitor your cactus closely for signs of growth and adjust care accordingly.
Cactus fertilizer for Health and Beauty
By applying the principles and understanding the importance of timely and appropriate fertilisation, you can create an environment where your cacti thrive and flourish.
As an addition to your décor and a source of joy, your healthy cacti show how little it takes to achieve beautiful results.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Cacti require watering, but only when the soil is completely dry. Typically every two to four weeks during the growing season and less often in winter.
Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Use a special fertiliser for cacti and succulents that is low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium, such as 5-10-10. Fertilise only during the growing season and follow a monthly routine in moderation to support healthy growth without overloading the plant.
For cacti, a well-drained, porous soil mix is ideal, often composed of potting soil mixed with sand, perlite or pumice. This type of soil mimics the natural, dry habitat of cacti and promotes healthy root growth.
A green cactus can turn brown for several reasons. This can include overwatering, which can lead to root rot and rotten roots. It can also be caused by poor drainage or too much sunlight. Check the condition of the soil and adjust the light and water conditions if necessary.
Cacti thrive best in good light, but some varieties can tolerate light shade or dim light. However, it is not recommended to place your cactus in completely dark conditions, as this can lead to stunted growth and a general weakening of the plant.
A toppling cactus can be caused by unbalanced growth. When the top of the cactus becomes heavier than the bottom, it can start to topple over. To prevent this, it is important to give your cactus adequate support in the form of a suitable pot and possibly support sticks.
