Care for echinopsis at home: how to grow a cactus in an apartment, is it possible to plant a plant in open ground and what are the characteristics and requirements of a flower?

Echinopsis is a beautiful and amazing plant that belongs to the Cactus family. The name from the ancient Greek language is translated as a hedgehog.

The genus has many species and hybrid varieties. Cactus is very popular among indoor flower lovers. And caring for him is not difficult even for a novice.

This type of cactus is ideal for growing at home. It is undemanding in care, rarely sick and is attacked by pests. It is enough for him to provide bright light, the necessary temperature and feed on time, and he will delight with beautiful flowering.

What does this cactus need?

Echinopsis unpretentious and not capricious. It does not require much time and care. It is enough to adhere to certain rules of care. During active growth and the formation of flower buds, the temperature of 21-29 degrees is preferred. And from October to February, the cactus is moved to a room with a temperature of about 6-11 degrees. Cold wintering is the key to abundant flowering.

Echinopsis, although it loves fresh air, but it does not tolerate drafts. Therefore, a room with a plant is rarely ventilated.

Watering

The flower does not like frequent watering. Therefore, water it for 2-3 days after the topsoil has dried. Since it tolerates a dry period well, it can become sick during overflow. During dormancy, echinopsis is either not watered at all, or is done very rarely. Water is used at room temperature or rain.

Humidity is not so important for a cactus, but it is periodically washed under a shower to clean it from dust and dirt, while covering the ground.

Lighting

Cactus needs bright diffused light. It also tolerates direct sunlight. Only in spring they tame it gradually to the sun, and in especially hot hours from 11-15 they succulent. Placed on the western, eastern and southern windowsills. On the north side of a lack of light, it may not bloom.

In the spring-summer period, the pot with the plant is taken out to the balcony or garden, but it is protected from moisture and drafts.

Pruning

Only the stems of very old cacti are rejuvenated. Young specimens do not touch. Carry out the procedure when the base of the succulent has a dark yellow color.

The cutting process consists of several stages:

in January, cut off the upper part of the stem with a sharp knife;
watered only after a few weeks;
the remaining stump gives new shoots, after which the cactus looks beautiful again.

Priming

Echinopsis is suitable for light, loose, permeable soil with neutral acidity. It can be prepared independently; for this, turf and leafy soil, coarse sand and fine gravel are mixed in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 0.5.

To prevent root decay, a small amount of charcoal is added to the composition. As well as You can purchase a ready-made substrate for cacti and succulents.

Top dressing

Echinopsis is fed every 3-4 weeks in the spring and summer from April to September. Special fertilizers for cacti or universal mineral complexes with a low nitrogen content are suitable.

As well as succulent, it responds well to periodic top dressing with organic matter. In winter, fertilizers are not applied. Young cacti are not recommended to be fertilized in the first years of their life, since they still have a weak root system.

Fertilize fertilizers in water according to the instructions. Only fertilize in moist soil..

Transfer

Echinopsis is transplanted in early spring, when the cactus outgrows the volume of the old pot. Perform the procedure with gloves so as not to damage the hands. If it is impossible to take out the plant, then the flowerpot with the cactus is broken by tapping.

The transplantation process consists of several steps:

A drainage layer of gravel or expanded clay is poured into the pot.
From above, fall asleep on 1/3 of earthen soil.
The plant, holding the base of the stem, is placed in the center of the flowerpot and spread the roots.
Fill the remaining soil.
After filling the pot, the cactus is slightly pulled up so that the roots are better positioned.
The earth is compacted slightly by tamping.
To the edges of the pot is covered with gravel. It forms an upper drainage, which protects the surface of the earth from quick drying.

The first days after planting, the cactus is not watered or placed in the sun.

Pot

The flowerpot is chosen shallow, but wide, since the root system of a cactus is superficial and many species form a large number of children. It can be made of any material, the main thing is the presence of a drainage hole.

Wintering

With the onset of autumn, water application is gradually reduced. Two waterings in September and one in early October are enough. Then echinopsis begins a period of rest. At this time, the temperature in the room is lowered to 6-14 degrees.

A flower pot is placed in a well-lit place. To provide additional light, fluorescent lamps are installed. The plant is not watered or moistened, but very rarely. The fact that you need to resume watering and transfer to a warmer place, the cactus will tell you the green tops.

How to care for a flower after purchase?

Echinopsis can be freely bought at any flower shop. When buying it inspect, it should not be traces of rot and damage by pests.

The first 2-3 weeks the plant has a period of adaptation to new conditions, at which time they do not touch it so that it gets used to new conditions.

Then the cactus is transplanted into a new pot, the diameter of which is 1-2 cm larger than the store. Soil is suitable for succulents. After planting, watered only after a few days and kept in the shade.

Features of outdoor cultivation

Echinopsis grow in the plains and mountains. Paraguay, Uruguay and Southern Brazil are considered her homeland. The plant is very thermophilic, does not like waterlogging of the soil and is demanding on the composition of the substrate, therefore, in severe frosty conditions, succulent is not grown on open ground. But in the spring-summer period, the pot with the plant is taken out into the garden. At the same time, during particularly hot hours, they are shaded from the sun, so that the cactus does not get burns and is protected from precipitation.

Breeding

There are two methods of propagation of echinopsis, which are successfully practiced by flower growers:

Kids. They are separated by unscrewing from the main stem and dried during the day. Then planted in a container with wet sand, slightly pressing. Keep in a warm and well-lit place. Moisturize periodically. Children take root in 1-2 weeks. As soon as they grow up, transplanted into small pots.
Seeds. Sowing is carried out in March. Sand is poured into the container and watered. Seeds are soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Then laid out on the surface of the sand. Do not sprinkle. The container is covered with a film or a jar and kept at a temperature of 18-20 degrees.Every day, the plant needs ventilation by lifting the film. After 2-3 weeks, seedlings appear, which, as soon as they get stronger, are transplanted into permanent soil.

Diseases and Pests

Cactus is quite resistant to diseases and pests. But with improper care, the following problems may occur:

Disease	Cause	Treatment
Weak or complete lack of flowering	The rest mode is violated (hot wintering)	The plant is rearranged in a cool room
Root decay	Low indoor air and waterlogged	The affected roots are cut out, and the places of the slices are sprinkled with crushed coal
Brown spots on the trunk	Sunburn	Cactus rearranged from direct sunlight
Spider mite and mealybug attack	Incorrect watering, excess fertilizer, draft in the room	With a weak infection, echinopsis is sprayed with a soap solution, and with a strong infection with Actellik, Fitoverm insecticidal drugs