Cacti are unpretentious plants, so they can be an ideal option for those who do not have time to care for finicky flowers or who simply forgets to water their indoor plantings on time. But still, even undemanding cacti need to provide favorable conditions for growth and flowering.
The size of the container should correspond to the root system of the plant. Some cacti have short roots and are developed in the upper part, so the pot for growing such indoor plants should be shallow, but wide enough. Others have a pronounced tap-like main root, so such plants are planted in a deep container. As for the material from which a pot for growing cacti should be made, this is a matter of taste. But it is still undesirable to plant them in a metal container, since the metal can rust, which will adversely affect the condition of the plant. The composition of the soil depends on the type of cultivated cactus, its age and other factors. Ideally, the soil mixture should contain the following ingredients: clay-grain soil, charcoal, humus, leafy earth, coarse river sand, brick chips, and old greenhouse soil. In this case, the "earth" should be loose, it is good to pass water and air. And for all types of cacti, a weakly acidic soil (pH from 4.5 to 6) is preferable. Cacti are light-loving indoor plants, so place them on the sunniest windowsill. With a lack of light, the stem is deformed and even diseases occur. In this case, natural lighting must be supplemented with fluorescent lamps (this is especially important when growing cacti on northern windows and in winter). Fresh air is very important for epiphytes, so often ventilate the room in which they grow. But remember: cacti are afraid of drafts. In summer, they can be moved to the balcony. In winter, these indoor plants with steam heating suffer greatly from dry air and high temperatures. They can be placed on a light window between the frames (provided that there are no gaps in the frames) or on the windowsill where the plexiglass is installed (it will protect cacti from the negative effects of steam heating batteries). Watering requires a special approach. The same plant needs different amounts of water. So, the higher the temperature, the drier the air and the smaller the pot, the more abundant watering should be. And epiphytes grown in small containers also need to be sprayed. For watering these plants, it is recommended to use rainwater or water softened by boiling, cooled to room temperature. In winter, excessive moisture is destructive for cacti, so the amount of watering should be minimized.
