In specialist shops, cacti usually live a sad life in unsuitable potting soil. Reason enough to plant the spiky pieces of jewelry professionally immediately after purchasing them. These instructions explain how to do this without causing painful injuries. Use our tips for the perfect cactus soil.
How do I plant a cactus properly?
To plant cacti correctly, you need mineral cactus soil, a pot with drainage, gloves and, if necessary. Newspaper or Styrofoam sheets. The best planting time is from March to May. Repot the cactus, ensure the same planting depth and do not water for 14 days.
Saving hunters mix cactus soil themselves - this is how it works
The ideal cactus soil should give the plant support, be easy to root through and absorb irrigation water well. A loose, mineral mixture with humic components meets these requirements. To avoid having to resort to expensive special substrates, simply mix the soil yourself. The following recipes have proven themselves in practice:
- 60 percent pricking earth and 20 percent each pumice gravel and lava granulate
- 60 percent succulent soil, 10 percent lime-free quartz sand, 10 percent expanded clay and 10 percent pumice
For cacti that are very sensitive to moisture, we recommend a purely mineral soil, consisting of 40 percent each of lava granules and pumice gravel, 10 percent lime-free quartz sand and 10 percent vermiculite. It is important to note that the cactus soil has a pH value of less than 7. Therefore, please do not use any lime-containing substrate components, such as building sand.
Planting cacti – a quick guide
If the cactus substrate and pot are ready, please protect yourself against the thorns with sturdy gloves before planting. Alternatively, cover the cactus with several layers of newspaper or two polystyrene sheets. How to do it right:
- The best time is during March to May
- Create a drainage made of expanded clay or quartz gravel in the pot or bowl
- Pour a first layer of fresh soil on top
- Potting out the cactus to remove the substrate with a wooden stick
When planting, please maintain the previous planting depth. As you add the soil, repeatedly tap the pot onto the tabletop to ensure even distribution. For the next 14 days, the cactus is allowed to recover from stress in a partially shaded location and is not watered.
Tip
Hardy cactus species cause a sensation in the garden bed. To ensure that the survival artists feel comfortable, we recommend a sunny, rain-protected location. In a gravel bed or rock garden on a slope, the frugal plants find the ideal, sandy, dry soil for vital growth and magnificent flowers.
