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Native fruits of the American Southwest and Mexico, as well as various indigenous foods of the Americas, serve as a staple and survival food. Pears (Opuntia spp.) are a hardy crop that can be found in the United States, as well as North America. Because of their Latin American origins, the Peruvian apple (Cereus repandus) and dragon fruit can be grown in climates without frost. In general, vines do not require much ground to grow stems, flowers, and fruit on a fence, wall, trellis, or arbor. Maureen Gilmer has worked as a photographer and horticulturist for 40 years in California. Her weekly horticultural column appears in the Desert Sun newspaper in Palm Springs.
Growing cactus fruit from seed is a relatively simple process, but patience is key! Start by collecting cactus fruit seeds and then planting them in a pot filled with cactus soil. Place the pot in an area that receives direct sunlight and water it regularly. Ensure proper drainage by placing a layer of gravel at the bottom of the pot. Cactus fruit should germinate after a few weeks, and in the early stages of growth, should be kept in a warm and well-lit area. Once the fruit is mature, you can move the pot to an area with more indirect sunlight to slow down the growth rate. Cactus fruit should be harvested when the skin has a leathery texture and the fruit is firm. Enjoy your home-grown cactus fruit! You could also make your own potting mix, without buying a potting mix to work from, for your cacti from: The basics of creating a cactus mix suitable for growing cacti indoors involves thinking about the qualities of the medium you create. Water infrequently. Established cacti have less vigorous watering requirements than most other potted plants. Though they do require some water, their reputation as hardy desert survivors is well-earned. Most varieties of desert cactus require little water once they're fully established. Though individual species of cactus may differ in the amount of water they require, a good general rule is to let the soil dry out completely before watering. Depending on the temperature, this mean waiting a month or longer between waterings. Growing cactus from seed indoors is a rewarding and enjoyable experience. The first step to successfully growing cactus indoors is to choose a container with holes in the bottom to allow for proper drainage. After filling the container with a well-draining potting mix, sprinkle the cactus seeds on the surface and lightly press them into the soil. Keep the soil damp but not wet, and place the container in an area that receives plenty of bright, indirect light. With patience, the cactus will start to sprout within one to two weeks. Make sure to water the soil sparingly and avoid overwatering, as too much moisture can cause rot. As the cactus grows, gradually increase the amount of sunlight it receives. With the right care and attention, your cactus will grow and thrive in the comfort of your home.Obviously, there are exceptions to the sowing recommendations made above. Several opuntias from northern areas, for example, will require an extensive cold treatment before germinating, but otherwise, the process described above will work well with almost any desert cactus. Cacti and succulents need to be grown in a gritty compost that has no peat in it,” shares Peter Bint, the current secretary of the BCSS. As your cactus plants continue to grow and mature, it’s important to provide them with the right care to ensure their long-term health and vitality. Place them in a location with bright, indirect sunlight and ensure they are protected from extreme temperature fluctuations. Water them sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings, and avoid overwatering or letting them sit in standing water. Feed them with a balanced cactus or succulent fertilizer during their active growing season, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep an eye out for any signs of pests or diseases, and promptly treat them to prevent further damage. Water with a misting bottle or a watering can with a fine rose, then cover the pot or tray with a sheet of glass or a clear plastic bag. Keep at 21°C in a bright spot, but not direct sun. It is generally less expensive to grow cacti than other plants. Most species require less water during the winter months. Soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes to activate germination and loosen the seed coat. How Long Do Cactus Seeds Take To Germinate
Most come from dry, arid areas where rainfall and humidity are very low, so they will need a very free-draining medium and care which mimics these conditions. Many people are interested in cacti for their health benefits because of the growing popularity of plant-based diets. Nopales and cactus fruits, both surprisingly nutritious, can be used in a variety of dishes. However, not all cacti can be eaten, and harvesting them without knowledge can be harmful.A bit of research will pay off when thinking about which mix to use,” says Horticulturist Colin Skelly. It is only about a year after the seedlings have been growing on their own that you should begin treating them “like cactus,” placing them in full sun and letting the soil dry out thoroughly before watering again. Cacti are fairly slow growers, but some will be quite presentable by their second year. How long before they bloom? Mammillarias or rebutias may reach blooming size in as little as 2 to 3 years, but most small cacti are 5 or 6 years away from blooming. As for candelabra and barrel types, figure 15 to 50 years… if indeed they ever bloom. These plants mostly come from dry, arid regions, and are able to survive periods of drought by storing water in their fleshy leaves or stems. They usually like warm sunny conditions when in growth, with low atmospherichumidity, so most are grown indoors in the UK. Some, such as epiphytic cacti come from rainforestsandlike partial shade, regular watering and higher humidity, so need to be treated more like a general houseplant thana cactus. The RHS recommends that, in general, desert cacti and other succulents can be planted in a potting mix of John Innes No. 2 with horticultural grit, fine gravel or coarse sand (up to 30% by volume) added to the mix. 2 How to grow cacti & succulent houseplants. (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/cacti-succulents/houseplants/growing-guide Another thing to consider is that some commercial mixes contain peat, which is not an eco-friendly or sustainable material.
Saguaros, which are pronounced SUH-WAHR-OH in Spanish, are extremely rare cactus plants native to the Sonoran Desert. It is one of the few cactus plants you can grow at home because it is available online or at a plant nursery in the southwest. Planting your Saguaro in a pot that is too large will put strain on the plant’s weak root system. Saguaros, which can grow to be 40 feet long, can be quite large. Water once a week to twice a week during the summer months, from May to October. Do not water in the fall or winter unless absolutely necessary. During the summer months, your Saguaro will require more water in addition to liquid plant feed.During winter, it'sbest to give most indoor cacti and succulents a period of rest, with a night temperature of only 8-10°C (46-50°F). Central heating is not usually a problem, as long as the plants are not close to radiators, but avoid watering during this period,as this will promote weak growth. Just offer enough to make sure they don’t dry out excessively and start shrivelling. Orchid cacti however, will require watering when the compostbecomes dry Because the days are longer and the temperatures are higher, cacti and Succulent seeds are best sown late in the winter, early summer, or spring, but if you have grow lights and additional heating, seeds can still be sown in the fall and winter as well. Some use coconut coir, and others use bark fines or something similar. Which ‘Recipe’ Should You Choose? The right soil mix is crucial for successful cactus seed germination. Use a well-draining cactus or succulent mix, or create your own by mixing equal parts of potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand. Sterilize the soil mix to kill any potential pathogens by baking it in the oven at 180°F (82°C) for 30 minutes. Fill a shallow tray or seedling pot with the sterilized soil mix, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top. Sprinkle the cactus seeds evenly on the soil surface, and lightly press them into the soil. Avoid burying the seeds too deep, as cacti seeds need light to germinate. So, unless you want to have success with only one cactus seed out of 1,000, don’t treat cactus seeds like desert plants. Instead, coddle them! Sow and treat them like any other plant. Here’s how:
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