Fertilizer for the development of cacti

What does a cactus need?

What trace elements and substances are required for a cactus for its quality development? Potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium are needed in large quantities. In small doses, various trace elements are required. And if a flower contains all these components in sufficient quantities, then it not only grows and develops normally, but also becomes resistant to all kinds of diseases.

The salts of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and calcium are most often used for feeding. Fertilization for cacti should be carried out only during the growth period. In no case should you do this when the cactus is sleeping. It is worth considering that such a state in a plant occurs not only in winter, but also in summer heat. That is why at such a time the soil in the pot remains moist for a long time, and watering the flower can be reduced.

You should not feed the flower even if its roots are damaged. It is also highly undesirable to apply fertilizer to the soil immediately after transplanting and rooting the plant.

It has a beneficial effect on the growth and development of flowers by watering with a solution with mineral fertilizers. They are used as follows. The salt dissolves in warm (30-35 ° C) melt, rain or ordinary boiled water. If the water is very hard, then it should first be softened. Feeding cacti with the resulting solution should be carried out in the afternoon or evening, preferably in cloudy weather. Check the potting soil before and after watering. It should stay moist.

On the second day after fertilization, it is recommended to spray the cactus with water. This must be done both in the morning and in the evening.

Such dressings not only improve the condition of the plant, but also reduce the number of transplants.

Influence of nutrients

Mineral fertilizers have a positive effect on the condition of the cactus. How does each element affect the plant? Let's take a closer look:

1. Potassium affects the growth of cacti, increases their strength, resistance to various diseases and temperature changes, promotes the timely ripening of shoots. If there is a potassium deficiency in the soil, the plants become covered with yellow spots, the shoots lose their normal color. At the same time, an excess of a substance also negatively affects the cactus: its growth slows down, the roots begin to rot and decay. It should be noted that the effect of potassium is neutralized by calcium, therefore the ratio of these elements in the soil plays an important role in the normal development of the plant.
2. Calcium is essential for the normal development of the cactus skeleton. It also influences the formation of its buds and the maturation of seeds. The substance plays an important role in the formation of hairs and needles. Calcium takes part in the regulation of water balance. This element should be introduced into the soil in the form of lime or sulfuric acid solution. Lime is introduced into the soil at the time of its preparation for planting a plant. The amount of fertilizer applied depends on the variety and habitat of the flower. It is worth considering the composition of the water: if it contains a lot of lime, then the composition should be introduced into the ground in a smaller volume.
3. Phosphorus contributes to the normal development of flowers and seeds, healthy growth, and root formation in cuttings. Mother plants that have enough of this element give strong and healthy shoots.
4. Nitrogen has a beneficial effect on flower growth. If the land is poor or the cactus is not transplanted for a long time, nitrogen starvation occurs. But it is worth remembering that a deficiency of a substance is less dangerous than an excess. In the second case, the plant fattens, loses its resistance to the action of various diseases, and often dies.Nitrogen fertilizers need to be applied only in the spring.

Also, for the normal development of a cactus, various trace elements are required: boron, iron, zinc, etc. Their sufficient content in the plant improves its growth, makes it more resistant to various diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically water with a solution with these microelements.

How to fertilize?

Ready feed for cacti and succulents contains a lot of nitrogen, so it is not recommended to use such mixtures.

Experts recommend irrigating with a solution of mineral fertilizers with the following composition of nutrients: 38% potassium, 16% phosphorus and 5.6% nitrogen. Many flower lovers use the following homemade mixtures:

1. In 2.5 liters of water, stir 0.5 g of calcium sulfate; 0.5 g of magnesium sulfate; 1 g of potassium nitrate; 0.25 g of ferrous sulfate and 0.25 g of superphosphate. This composition is used for watering cacti and succulents.
2. 15 g of ammonium phosphate are mixed; 2.25 g of magnesium sulfate; 20 g of potassium nitrate; 3 g of potassium chloride; 100 g of potassium phosphate; 20 g sodium nitrate; 40 g of ammonium sulfate. Watering is carried out with a solution of water with this mixture (1 g of the composition is taken per 1 liter).

Watering should be done in early spring. You need to apply fertilizer once a week for a month. And when the plants are ready to bloom, they should be fertilized with potassium phosphate (1 g per 1 L of water).