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ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GROW CACTUS INDOORS

Cacti have become a common houseplant in urban homes, as well as it represents chic pop culture. They are the extraordinary plants to grow both indoors and outdoors as they have low maintenance plant requirements and are among the coolest looking plants.

Whoever says or believes cactus transmits negative energy, they might still believe in the earth is flat. Just like you and me, they are species of our planet that grows and breathes. They are living being and represent strength with beauty wherever placed. The only reason you should avoid cactus indoors is if you don’t like to be accidently pricked by it. Otherwise it has nothing to do with bad omen or negative energy.

Although cacti thrive in hostile environments such as deserts. But with the right care you can have them in every room at your home. Cacti are incredibly strong but slow growing plants and are sensitive to overwatering or special treatments. You can say they love negligence. While bringing a cactus home just remember it should have good drainage pot & soil and water it only when the soil is dry. That might happen let’s say once a week.

Five mistakes in cactus care:

* All Cacti are different. Caring for all in the same way might not end well. Some needs full sun and some just loves indoor bright light. Some needs less water some needs little more. They all have different needs.

* Overwatering will kill them and under watering will kill them too. Using small pot or pot with no drainage will kill any Cacti. Go for a well drainage pot and very porous soil mix for cacti.

* Offering too little sunlight or too much sunlight. It depends on which variety cacti you own and what are their needs. It could be a desert cactus that can bear hostile environment or a rainforest cactus that loves being indoors.

* Do not expose the indoor loving cactus to the sunlight. Some cactus also cannot tolerate frost, bring them indoors.

* Using fertilizer too often may kill your cacti.

Potting Soil Mix & Pot Size:

The Cacti Success Mantra is porous soil with excellent drainage. Most of the cacti soil component is sand as they drain pretty well along with peat moss, pebbles, perlite and vermicompost. You can make the soil either at home or order a cacti soil bag online.

Cacti do not need a tall pot because their roots don’t grow much deep. A shallow pot with good drainage works perfect for them. Since they are slow growing plants and do not need repotting often. So when you repot them, use an inch bigger pot than the plant itself.

How to Repot Your Cactus:

Things you need:
* Tweezers
* Blunt Knife/ Butter knife
* Rubber Gloves
* Pot
* Potting Mix/Soil

Follow these steps to repot your plant:

1. Wear your gloves and make sure you don’t get pricked by the thorns.
2. Tilt the plastic pot towards side and try loosening the soil a bit in the by gently squeezing and tapping it from all sides. But if you are repotting it from a ceramic pot then use a blunt knife to loosen the soil from the sides.
3. Make sure to avoid damaging the plant and its roots. Carefully remove your cactus from the old pot using a tweezers.
4. Remove soil from the roots edges and check the roots for any signs of diseases or pests.
5. Allow the cactus to dry out for few hours so that the roots that might have been hurt get enough time to recover to avoid the risk of root rot.
6. Repot the plant by putting new moist soil (but not soggy) at the bottom. Adjust the cactus in the middle of the pot and cover the empty sides with more soil.
7. Do not water your plant immediately.  Water it after five to seven days.

Cacti can be grown in any climate if one takes proper care of them. There are two varieties of indoor cactus. Each variety needs separate care to thrive. The two varieties of cactus are DESERT CACTUS & FOREST CACTUS.

Desert cacti are more with spines and can survive harsh desert conditions.

Forest cactus is also known as tropical cactus and they do not have spines and cannot withstand hostile desert environments.

So which one do you have at home?

Cactus are ornamental plants, do not confuse them with air-purifying plants. Although most of the cactus found in nurseries or online now a day survives indoors and enjoys filtered sunlight or very bright light.

Pronati Dobriyal