Cacti bought in a store are immediately transplanted into another pot. The substrate that professionals use to grow the plant is devoid of nutritional components. You will have to regularly apply fertilizer, otherwise the prickly succulent will wither and will never please the owner with bright pink or delicate white buds.
Which pot to choose
Cacti live for months without water. They accumulate liquid in the juicy pulp and use it carefully. Green “hedgehogs” are more afraid of excessive watering and too wet soil, in which fungus appears. In order for the cactus to have time to consume water and not suffer from mold, you need to choose the right pot.
Preference is given to clay containers. The material absorbs moisture and allows air to pass through, providing oxygen to the cactus root system. There should be drainage holes in the bottom of the flowerpot through which excess liquid can flow out. You cannot buy glazed clay. Plastic pots will also work.
How to determine the size of the container? The height depends on the type of root system. Fibrous varieties of cacti will enjoy being placed in a wide but low pot. It is more convenient for green hedgehogs with massive and long rhizomes to develop in tall pots, similar to beer glasses.
The diameter of the new house should be 3–5 cm larger than the old one. There is enough space for the cactus to feel comfortable and have time to absorb water.
The pot is washed with an antibacterial agent. Clay varieties are doused with boiling water, then dried and filled with a drainage layer. Fill the container with prepared soil and replant the cactus.
Which foundation to choose
Flower shops offer special mixtures for growing cacti. The soil for succulents is nutritious, but heavy, so it is mixed with coarse river sand and fine crushed stone.
In order not to buy soil, you prepare it yourself. The substrate for cacti includes:
- leaf or coniferous humus - 2 parts;
- turf soil taken from the garden or vegetable garden - 1 part;
- crushed coal or wood ash - 1 part;
- small stones with a diameter of 1 to 5 mm – 1 part.
Too lazy to sort through crushed stone in search of suitable specimens? The component is replaced with coarse river sand.
There is no need to sift the turf soil. Cacti will appreciate needles, unrotted remains of leaves and small twigs. The more heterogeneous the substrate, the lighter and airier it is.
The soil is combined with humus and then calcined in the oven or steamed in a slow cooker. The earth is disinfected so that the root system of the succulent is not destroyed by mold or a colony of insect pests.
Pebbles, which are pre-washed and doused with boiling water, and wood ash are added to the sterile soil. Miniature star cacti love crushed charcoal. The substrate is infused for several days so that beneficial bacteria appear in the calcined soil, and then it is poured into the pot.
Important: Do not add soil from the beds to the base if they have recently been fertilized with cow manure or bird droppings.
Fine gravel, broken brick or perlite, and grated foam are placed at the bottom of a clay or plastic pot. The material draws excess water from the soil, protecting the cactus root system from fungus. The thickness of the drainage layer varies from 1 to 4–6 cm depending on the height of the container.
The soil in the pot is not compacted. If it settles over time, exposing the root of the plant, simply add a little new soil.
Touching green “urchins” with your bare hands is painful and dangerous, because small needles can get stuck under the skin, causing a purulent abscess to appear. It is recommended to wear thick gloves made of leather or fabric with rubber inserts. Other gardeners use thick foam sponges, which are carefully pricked onto the plant, and old newspapers folded 6-8 times. Wrap paper cuffs around the base of an indoor flower, squeeze the ends tightly and transfer it to another pot.
Small cacti are removed from the container with special tongs. The tool is sold in flower shops.
They stop watering the indoor flower 2–4 weeks before transplanting, so that all the liquid evaporates from the substrate and it becomes completely dry and crumbly. It is not recommended to soak the soil around the root system, as this increases the risk of injuring thin shoots.
How to remove a succulent without damaging it?
- If the pot is made of clay, you need to gently tap the sides with your hand or a garden spatula.
- The plastic containers are carefully crushed with your fingers to separate the earthen lump from the flowerpot.
- The pot is turned upside down.
- Hold the flower with one hand and slowly turn the container with the other.
- The flowerpot is removed, the root system is cleared of the substrate.
If the cactus has grown to the walls of the container, then circle the earthen lump with a sharp knife. Couldn't remove the succulent? Then the flowerpot is broken or cut in half.
Before planting in a new pot, the plant is carefully inspected and preventative disinfection is carried out.
Cactus processing
Aphids or mold can live in the rhizome of a succulent. To protect the extracted flower from pests and diseases, a special bath is prepared for it.
You will need a jar or iron bowl and a sheet of thick cardboard in which a small hole is cut out. Hot water is poured into the container. The temperature of the liquid varies from 50 to 55 degrees. Place the cardboard base on the cactus so that the rhizome is at the bottom and the neck remains at the top.
Before disinfection, the plant is cleaned of the earthen clod. If the soil has not been watered for more than 3 weeks, just shake the flower. The adhered substrate, which has managed to petrify, is soaked in warm water and then removed.
Dip the prepared root system into a hot bath for 15–20 minutes. Remove and place on a paper towel to drain the liquid from the succulent. Move the cactus to a plastic container or shoebox, hide from the sun for 3-4 days. The flower is placed next to a radiator or other heat source.
After 3–4 days, the rhizome is inspected, rotten and dried shoots are cut off, and thick shoots are shortened. Thin threads are not touched, because thanks to them the cactus draws nutritional components from the ground.
Use a sharp knife or scissors. Heat the blade over a fire or wipe it with alcohol to prevent infection. Fresh wounds are sprinkled with crushed activated carbon or sulfur powder.
The cuts should dry and tighten. The plant is returned to the container and allowed to rest for 1–2 days.
How to plant in a pot correctly
A thin layer of soil is poured over the drainage; no water is added. The cactus is placed on the substrate, carefully straightening the roots and distributing them throughout the pot. The lower part is sprinkled with earth, lightly compacting it. The root collar should be left on the surface of the earth.
After filling the pot with substrate, you need to knock on the walls so that the soil fills the voids and is evenly distributed throughout the container. Sprinkle a layer of fine expanded clay on top. For tall and large cacti, wooden supports are installed. The trunk is tied to sticks with thin fabric ropes and left until the succulent takes root in its new home.
Important: Long roots need to not only be straightened, but also directed downward. A plant with a bent base becomes weak and lethargic, and over time loses its needles and withers.
Subtleties of care
The prickly plant is watered 2–2.5 weeks after transplantation. The cactus is hidden from the sun, but kept warm. After 14 days, when the flower adapts and the roots dry out and heal, add a small portion of water with mineral fertilizer. The next day they put it on a lighted window.
After replanting, did the plant grow too tall? This means that the substrate is not nutritious enough or the pot is too wide. It is recommended to replace the soil by adding more soil and buy a new flowerpot with a smaller diameter.
Cactus from sprout
During transplantation, small growths are cut off from the mother flower. Separate the workpiece with a sharp, disinfected knife to protect the adult cactus from infection and rotting.
The separated sprouts are placed in a plastic container. Line the bottom of the container with paper towels to keep the inside dry. Hide small cacti in a closet or another room where it is cool and there is no sun. Keep the workpiece there for 3–5 days so that the cut area tightens and dries. If you plant a wet sprout in the ground, it will not take root, will begin to rot and disappear.
Pour a drainage layer into a small plastic glass, then dry substrate, as for an adult cactus. Place the sprout in a small hole in the ground, but do not bury it. Periodically water or spray with a spray bottle.
When the new cactus has thin roots, it is transferred to a clay pot. Choose a miniature flowerpot, because a prickly flower will not survive in a large container. Expanded clay is placed on the bottom of the dish, then the substrate is poured.
The sprout is placed in the center of the pot, the rhizome is carefully straightened and straightened. Cover with a layer of earth and put it in a dark place. Water after 3-5 days. The cactus will need this much time to restore damaged thin threads and adapt to the new environment.
Grown plants are replanted every 2–4 years. The substrate for old prickly flowers is changed after 5–7 years.
Cacti are beautiful and unpretentious; they can survive without water or fertilizer for a long time. They love light, turfy soil with expanded clay and wood ash. Replanting prickly plants is simple: choose the right pot and substrate, transfer the flower to another container and hide it from the sun. This is enough for the cactus to quickly adapt and take root, and a few years later please the owner with exotic buds.
Video: how to replant a cactus
Many novice gardeners are wondering how to replant a cactus in such a way as not to prick themselves. Even those varieties of this plant that are almost deprived of thorns still cause inconvenience when changing the pot. The correct selection of tools, adherence to safety rules and slowness will help to carry out this procedure painlessly.
What is needed for transplantation
Replanting a cactus requires some preparation. Tools are selected that will protect the gardener from injections, the right pot, soil and fertilizing. The minimum set for transplantation is as follows:
- The correct size pot, twice the weight of the plant, with a tray.
- The soil is loose and breathable, conducts moisture well.
- A special glove or potholder so that you can hold the cactus by the needles.
- Special pliers for succulents that can be used to hold the neck of the plant.
- Fertilizing and warm water for the first watering.
- Newspapers or oilcloth to cover the surface on which the transplant will take place.
How to transplant a cactus into another pot
Correctly replanting a cactus at home is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. Thorns scare many novice gardeners, but if you follow safety rules and do not work with bare hands, the risk of injury is reduced to zero.
Preparing the container and soil for replanting
After purchasing a plant, the question of choosing a pot arises. Typically, cacti are sold in plastic containers, which are not suitable for permanent storage. There are three requirements for a pot:
- There should be holes at the bottom through which excess moisture will drain into the pan.
- The pot should retain heat well.
- The new container should be larger than the previous one by approximately 3 centimeters in depth.
A large cactus can only be transplanted into a container with thick walls, heavy enough to support the weight of the plant. Representatives of this family most often cannot be leaned against a wall or a special support, so the stability of the pot is extremely important.
The correct substrate for a cactus is quite complex and multi-component. It can be purchased in specialized stores or assembled yourself. The soil should consist of:
- Leaf or turf soil.
- Wooden charcoal (crushed).
- Peat.
- River sand.
- Small pebbles or brick chips.
All elements are added to the substrate in equal proportions.
Drainage in a pot
Before replanting cacti at home, it is necessary to properly prepare not only the soil, but also the drainage layer. It allows the soil not to become oversaturated with moisture and simplifies the release of excess liquid into the pan. The following is used as drainage:
- Fine gravel.
- Brick chips.
- Small pebbles.
Mixing different types of drainage material is not recommended. The layer should be at least 2-3 centimeters. For large pots - approximately 4-5.
When is the best time to replant?
After purchasing a cactus, you can and should replant it immediately. Yes, the plant will receive an additional portion of stress, but in this case it will not become critical for it. If the reason for replanting is the need to increase the “living space” of the cactus, then it is best to wait until spring. In March, before the active growth phase begins, this will bring the least amount of stress to the plant.
How to transplant and plant correctly
Experienced gardeners have their own ways to replant a cactus without getting pricked. Some people wear special gloves, others remove the plant from the pot by “tapping” it in a horizontal position. There is also a step-by-step guide that will help even a beginner to transplant a cactus without injections:
- The pot is held with one hand.
- The second hand is wrapped in a rag or towel. You can also use special gloves or a potholder.
- Holding the trunk itself with the thorns, you need to carefully turn the pot, separating the soil from the walls of the vessel.
- Now you should carefully pull out the cactus. To do this, you need to carefully lift it, pulling it out of the pot along with the soil, with one hand, and then grab it from below with your second hand.
- Depending on the type, the roots are cleared or not cleared of old soil.
- The earthen ball along with the plant is transferred to new soil. The soil is loosened and excess substrate is added.
There are some exceptions. For example, if thorns grow only on the shoots, and there are none on the edge of the trunk, then you can pull the plant along with the soil by the neck using flat tongs.
Also, when replanting, you need to take care of the size of the roots. If the system has become too large, it can be rooted artificially using special scissors.
Methods for planting cactus without roots
Many children are separated from the mother plant without roots. Some of them form a root system in a glass of water, but most are planted in the ground without them. In order for the plant to take root, you need to prepare the soil in advance, as well as create the right microclimate.
The soil for growing a cactus without a root system must be perfectly sterile. Prepared soil can be purchased at a specialized store, or processed independently in the oven by frying for 2-3 hours at a temperature of 200 degrees.
The baby is placed approximately 1-2 centimeters into the soil so that it does not fall on its side. There is no need to further strengthen it with supports. It is impossible to compact the soil around the cactus, because for proper growth and development the soil must be as loose as possible.
It takes about 2-3 weeks to form the root system. All this time, the soil needs to be irrigated abundantly. There should be no sudden temperature changes in the room. The reading on the mercury column of the thermometer cannot fall below 20 degrees.
After the cactus has its first roots and has established itself in the pot (4-5 weeks after planting), the plant is transferred to a standard care regimen. This must be done by gradually reducing the intensity of watering and fertilizing every 5-7 days.
Caring for a cactus after transplantation
Caring for a cactus after transplantation is not difficult if the gardener has previously dealt with these exotic plants. The basic rules practically do not change, as do the requirements for the microclimate, but there are a number of nuances:
- In the first 2 weeks after transplantation, the cactus needs to be watered abundantly. If the usual frequency of irrigation is once every 5 days, then in this case you need to reduce the gap to once every 3 days.
- Additional feeding is needed only on the day of planting.
- During the first week, you need to protect the plant from drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Transplanting cacti causes difficulties for gardeners only the first time. In fact, changing the pot and soil for this plant is no more difficult than for any other, if you approach the matter wisely and are well prepared. The main thing is not to forget about post-transplant care and follow safety precautions.
It is believed that cacti are the most unpretentious plants. But in order for them to have a well-groomed appearance and delight the owner with abundant flowering, a number of conditions must be observed. One of these conditions is proper transplantation. All cacti are succulents, that is, drought-resistant plants. In cactus plants, leaves replace needles. They serve as means of protection from sunlight and enemies. The leaves and stems of succulents are most effectively adapted to the rational use of moisture. This helps cacti survive even in the driest climates.
Conditions for transplanting cacti
How to replant cacti at home? Before you start replanting a succulent, you should become familiar with its growth and dormancy cycles. The greatest chance of success is possible if the transplant is carried out towards the end of the plant's dormant period or at the beginning of the growing season. In most cases this means early spring and early summer. Sometimes it is worth waiting until the plant has finished flowering so that it does not drop its buds. Three days before transplanting, stop watering the plant to avoid root rotting. . Adults should be replanted every 2-4 years, since over time the cactus does not grow so actively. The young plant is replanted once a year.
Transplanting cacti at home requires careful preparation. Make sure you have everything you need on hand:
- pot of the required size;
- drainage;
- priming;
- scissors or other cutting materials;
- tools for safely removing a cactus from a pot.
If you have the listed materials, you can begin transplanting.
Reasons for transplantation
Most succulents find small spaces very cozy and can remain in a container for many years. But in some cases, cacti need to be replanted. Buying a new plant in a store is one of the main reasons for replanting, since the container and soil in which it is located are not intended for long-term use. Next reason replanting a cactus at home can result in excessive limitation of the plant's root by the size of the pot. In this case, the roots are visualized at the bottom of the container.
Likewise, the cactus body itself may grow out of the pot and will require a larger container. And finally, the reason for replanting can be the unhealthy behavior of an individual, when the cactus does not grow or bloom for a long time. Most likely, this may indicate damage to the roots.
How to choose a pot for a cactus
The choice of pot for a plant is determined by the size of its root system. For example, some individuals have fibrous roots that remain close to the soil surface. A small pot with a relatively large diameter is suitable for such a plant. Other instances may look It is modest on the outside, but has an impressive turnip-like root system and requires a deep pot.
The container for the succulent can be made of plastic or unglazed clay, which effectively allows air to pass through and removes any excess moisture. The cactus pot must have a good drainage system. For some plants, the holes in the bottom of standard pots are not enough. Then you will have to drill in the bottom of the pot additional slots. When choosing the shape of a pot, you should be guided by the availability of free space on the windowsill. Many experienced cactus growers have opted for square containers that take up little space.
Soil for replanting
Succulents are slow-growing plants and are not suited to growing in highly nutritious (nitrogen-rich) soil. Planting cacti requires a special soil mixture. It can be purchased at the store or mixed yourself. The soil for a prickly pet should be loose, permeable and low-acid. The best soil mixture combination includes:
- One part of leaf humus or turf soil.
- One part of washed river sand.
- One part of crushed bricks.
Pumice, perlite, and charcoal are also added to the mixture if desired. Before planting, the soil mixture should be steamed in the oven or microwave. To prevent fire, a small amount of water should be added inside the soil. Immediately before transplanting, the substrate must be dry.
Removing a cactus from an old pot
How to transplant a cactus into another pot? The best strategy for moving a prickly pet is to use available tools. You can wrap the plant in several layers of newspaper and secure it lightly with ribbon or twine. Such actions will significantly speed up the transportation of the plant. You can also use a pair of leather gloves or mittens.
One of the safest ways Transplantation is to use kitchen tongs or Chinese chopsticks. If the specimen is large, it should be moved to a new pot using two sheets of foam rubber, clamping it on both sides. At home, ordinary dishwashing sponges can serve as such means of transportation.
Do not pull the cactus, as this may damage the roots. If the roots of the individual do not slip out of the pot, you need to place the plant on its side on a hard surface and press down on the pot. Turn it a quarter turn and press again, repeating these steps until the cactus is free. If the roots have grown to the sides of the pot, you can try to separate the soil from the walls of the pot using a screwdriver or a wooden spatula. If these actions do not have any result, you can carefully cut or break the pot and remove the plant.
Methods for cleaning roots
After removing the cactus from the pot, it is necessary to remove the soil from the roots. There are two cleaning methods: dry and wet. Dry cleaning is carried out using a wooden stick or tweezers. The roots should be exposed enough to show whether they are susceptible to pests. Wet cleaning is carried out only for healthy roots that are not susceptible to rot. This procedure should not be carried out in a cold or damp room. After removing soil from the root ball, cut off any damaged roots.
Root trimming can be done with a sharp thin knife or regular office scissors. To protect the plant, the tool must be moistened in an alcohol solution. It is better to trim thick roots, since thin roots are necessary for the succulent to feed. When cut, the roots need to be treated with activated carbon powder, sulfur or cinnamon. Then you should air dry the treated roots for a couple of days. . Drying allows the roots heal and heal all the tiny damage that is inevitable when tearing a cactus out of the soil.
Planting a home cactus in a new pot
Before replanting the cactus, the pot should be thoroughly rinsed with hot water. Then you need to place a sufficient amount of drainage material at the bottom of the pot and fill it one-third with soil mixture. Expanded clay, crushed brick, crushed stone or crushed wine corks can serve as drainage material. You should place the plant in the center of the pot unless it likes to travel horizontally. In this case, it should be placed on the edge.
It is advisable to ensure that the plant will not be too deep in the pot or too high above the top of the pot. All cactus roots should be pointing downwards, this will prevent them from dying and rotting. Then, carefully holding the plant, you need to fill all the space between the plant and the pot with soil mixture. For convenience, you can use a tablespoon or a children's spatula. It is necessary to shake the pot so that the soil settles and add a little more soil.
What can harm a cactus?
The main troubles of a home cactus are:
Protecting the plant from rotting
For the normal functioning of the plant, knowledge of how to replant a cactus is not enough. It is important to be able to protect it from rotting. The stem of a newly planted succulent should not be in the ground. To protect the stem from rotting, you can pour a layer of fine gravel on top. One of the important reclamation tips is that Immediately after transplantation, the cactus should not be watered, as it adapts to cultivation and new soil conditions. You should give it a break from direct sunlight. And only after two weeks can the plant be irrigated. You can feed the cactus with a mixture of compost and vermicompost.
Watering conditions
The most active time for watering cacti is spring and early summer. As winter approaches, you should begin to reduce the frequency of watering. In winter, most cacti do not need water, provided they are kept at low temperatures between 5-15 degrees. Lack of watering in winter is the key to successful flowering of a cactus in spring and summer. Tap water is not suitable for cacti. If possible, water the cactus collected rainwater or melted snow is used. It causes chemical reactions and provides the soil with nutrients. Do not water cacti with cold water.
Watering methods
Most cultivated cacti are desert dwellers, so they can be watered in a tray. Potted plants need to be placed in a saucer of water so that they absorb moisture through the roots. Another method of watering cacti is to apply water to the surface of the soil. In this case, the amount of water will depend on a number of factors: heat, direct light and planting. Succulents need watering when the soil is completely dry. To find out if a cactus needs water, you can insert a pencil all the way to the base of the pot. If wet soil sticks to it, it is not time to water.
Transplanting cuttings
The procedure for transplanting cactus cuttings is carried out similarly, with the exception of some subtleties. After cutting, allow the cutting to dry in a slightly shaded area.. This makes the new plant less susceptible to rot. It is better to keep the neckline on a paper towel away from direct sunlight. The drying process can take from two to seven days. After this time, you can transplant the cuttings into the ground. If the leaf becomes very creased during this time, you may need to plant it earlier.
Planting cuttings in the ground
After transplanting into the ground, the cuttings begin to actively develop the root system. At this time, they should be watered once every two to three days. Then you should reduce the frequency of watering. Thus, if all the above conditions are met, the home cactus will delight its owner for a long time.
Beginning flower growers who are worried that they will not be able to cope with flowers that require special care and the creation of special conditions for successful “living” in an apartment can be advised to buy a cactus. This unpretentious desert dweller will survive even if you forget to water and feed it.
Replanting a cactus: how and when is best?
The only point that may require some explanation is how to replant a cactus and when should it be done? If your plant looks good, is resilient, blooms regularly, and the roots do not dry out, then there is no need to worry.
Note! Cacti usually do well in small containers.
Lift the pot and inspect its bottom: if roots are breaking through the drainage hole, replanting is necessary. It will also be needed if there is some lethargy of the plant, if growth has stopped or slowed down, as well as in cases where your cactus has become the target of pest attack. Sometimes replanting a cactus is required immediately after it has been purchased, when it is clear that the flower’s native pot is too small.
What is the best way to perform a transplant? First, you need to focus on the season.
Experienced gardeners recommend performing this procedure in spring or summer, when the cactus is actively growing. The reason is simple: at this time it is easier for the flower to survive damage to the roots, which is inevitable during transplantation. In winter, there is a possibility that the roots with cuts may rot.
Note! The gardener should also remember: for better survival, the cactus should be replanted in dry soil and not watered for several days (about a week) after that.
This rule contradicts the general principles of replanting other plants, which need to be well watered as soon as they find themselves in their “new home”. If you do not take this into account, then your pet, which came to Europe from hot, dry deserts, may not take root in waterlogged soil.
To avoid mistakes during transplantation, watch the video: the entire procedure is explained and shown step by step.
You need to take the plant with tweezers (you can just use your hand, but then it’s better to wear gloves), carefully remove it from the ground, clean the roots from the old soil and carefully “seat” it in a new pot. The pet’s new “apartment” must be carefully prepared: put coarse gravel down, then smaller gravel, and only then add soil for the cacti.
Sometimes it is recommended to mix this soil with sand. This is done to ensure that the soil allows water to pass through well - this is an important point for cacti.
How to choose a pot? Look at the photo: the size of the new pot should be only slightly larger than the old one. In a large pot, the cactus is in danger of being flooded.
We will provide comfort to the new tenant
Have you examined the cactus you bought and didn’t notice any problems, but still want to place it in the container that seems best to you?
Note! Then you can perform a simple transfer: the flower along with the old earthen mixture must be carefully moved into a fresh one, trying not to touch the roots.
This way you can replant the cactus after purchase. It happens that a plant does not want to leave its former “house”. Then turn the pot over and knock on the bottom - the flower should softly fall right into your hand.
If you bring home a cactus shoot that was a gift from friends, you need to be prepared for the fact that it will not grow immediately. A new resident needs time to get comfortable. Place it in a bright place and water it after 5-7 days. Soon you will notice that the flower feels better, and when it blooms, this will mean that it is comfortable in your home.
Replanting a cactus is not difficult - probably even easier than many other flowers. The main thing is not to forget about precautions and wear gloves in time to protect your hands from corrosive thorns. In the future, this operation will have to be performed no more often than once every 3 years: the cactus is an unpretentious plant and will feel good for a long time in its new “home”.
Good luck in your floriculture!
Video
Photo
Reading time: 4 minutes
When transplanting these plants, some difficulties may arise. We have some tips and life hacks for the process of transplanting these prickly friends and we want to share with you.
Adult flowers can be transplanted into a larger flowerpot once every two to four years. But each case is individual - if the plant has outgrown its old pot, but is growing and blooming normally, it may be worth holding off on replanting.
Before starting work, prepare the soil, drainage and flowerpot. It’s a good idea to have a utility knife or scalpel, sulfur powder and insecticides on hand. They will be needed in an emergency - if rot or disease is detected.
The popularity of these plants among gardeners is growing every year. And this is great, but problems may arise when working with them (to begin with, their thorns can seriously injure the hands of an inexperienced gardener). Luckily, we've got a couple of tips tucked away that we'll share with you below.
Preparing for a transplant to a new place
Transplanting and working with these flowers step by step
Choosing a pot
A clay pot with a drainage hole is an ideal candidate. Plastic pots are also suitable. Clay has a porous structure, allows air to pass through, absorbs and removes excess moisture. The main thing is that the clay is not glazed.
Pay attention to the individual characteristics of your plant. For example, cacti with long roots need a deep pot, while cacti with fibrous roots will like a wide and low pot. The diameter of the new house should be 1-3 centimeters larger than the previous one. An exception is if you want to plant a composition of several cacti.
Filling the pot with substrate
To begin, line the pot with drainage; usually expanded clay serves as its base. Next, fill half the pot with soil left over from the previous planting, the main thing is that it is not too old. For a cactus with a shallow root system, this will be a good solution. This way you won’t throw away old soil and save on fresh soil.
Pour a special mixture for growing cacti into the flowerpot (it is sold in most flower shops) so that the ground level is 3-6 centimeters below the rim of the pot (the depth depends on the size of the roots and is determined so that the base of the plant is level with the edge of the pot ).
It is better to warm up any soil used for replanting in the oven, thereby protecting the root system of your plant from mold and pests.
Removing a succulent from an old pot
To hold it in your hands without harm, use either bubble wrap (wrapping it around the cactus) or a regular terry towel. This is a great way to protect your hands from thorns. If the cactus is large and heavy, use a spatula to support the root ball. By the way, for replanting small plants, using a spatula with a narrow blade and flower tongs (you can use kitchen tongs) is ideal. This will make the work easier and faster.
Stop watering the plant a month before replanting to allow the soil to dry out.
How to remove a cactus from an old pot without damaging it:
- Gently tap the sides of the pot with a spatula (if the container is made of thin plastic, crumple the walls several times).
- Wrap the cactus in a towel and turn the pot over.
- Hold the flower with one hand and try to turn the container with the other.
- Remove the plant and clean the substrate from the root.
Place the cactus in the flowerpot, first straightening the roots. Add more fresh substrate. If your flower is tall, we recommend installing supports and, if necessary, tying it up. Next, tap the pot so that the soil settles and the neck of the flower becomes slightly lower than the edge of the pot.
Alley of cacti in the garden (USA, Arizona)
When everything is ready
Place the plant in a warm, dark place for a week. There is no need to water the cactus during this period. Afterwards, after a while, water and fertilize well. For feeding, we recommend using a mixture of compost and vermicompost. This mixture is the best fertilizer for all succulents. After transplanting, use this fertilizer every spring.
These cacti are still small, but their thorns hurt painfully
To decorate your pot beautifully, you can decorate the surface of the soil with stones, minerals, etc. This will also help protect the base of the cactus from rotting!
We know many of you grow cacti at home, so we've shared some tips for replanting and caring for them. These beautiful and unpretentious flowers do well without water and fertilizers. They love turfy soil with expanded clay and wood ash. Replant your prickly friend once every 3-4 years, take care of him and he will delight you with his exotic buds!
Finally, watch a short video on how to replant a cactus at home:
We wish you and your prickly plants prosperity!