CACTI FOR INDOORS

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaIndoor plantsPlant Health CareUncategorized
Written By Peter Morris

 For all you cactus lovers out there here is a group you can grow if you have a hot sunny south facing window !Easy to grow, stay small, are relatively bug free – all are well adapted to the dry conditions found in the home. I chose the smaller sized ones for indoor use – sorry Saguaro! 

CHARACTERISTICS

 Growth Rate Most cacti grow slowly, usually only a few inches a year. They can live for many years.These plants lack leaves and their stem is fleshy or succulent. Because of this, the plant can withstand periods of drought.Cacti are often heavily armed with spines but have many beautiful and delicate flowers. They are mainly grown for their unusual shapes, colors and textures. 

CARE

 Watering properly is the most important factor in growing cacti successfully.  Their soil must be very well-drained.During the growing season from March to September, cacti will grow rapidly. Water them every 2-3 weeks - they prefer to dry slightly between watering’s.In winter, while the plants are dormant, they should become very dry between watering’s. Only enough to keep them from shriveling – once a month is plenty.The plant must never be in standing water. Waterlogged soil will quickly lead to rotting of the roots.Cacti need bright sunlight - windows facing south or south west where they will receive direct sunlight for several hours each day are ideal. They tend not to thrive in artificial light.The plants actually prefer a rich free-draining soil. Make sure it is very course with sand or grit.Repot infrequently, and only as needed – they like to be pot bound. April is the best time, just as they begin summer growth.Feed them a low nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-5 once a month from June through September. Do not fertilize repotted plants or during the winter.Keep the room about 85* F during summer, and 55* F in winter.Problems:  Root and stem rots usually result from a soil mix that does not drain quickly, watered too frequently. Here are Some of the Most Common Genus and Species. Pictures when available. Astrophytum (Bishops' cap)

A. asterias

A. myriostigma

A. ornatum

Disocactus (rat's tail cactus)

Disocactus

Echinocactus (Barrel cactus)

E. grusonii

Echinocereus (Hedge Hog cactus)

E. engelmanii

E. rigidisimus

Mammillaria

M. elongata

M. spinossisima

M. carmenae

M. plumosa

Melocactus (Melon ball cactus)

Melocactus

Opuntia (prickly pear)

O. microdasis

O. polyacanthas

Oreocereus (Old Man of the Andes)

Oreocereus

Parodia (imitation cactus)

Parodia

Our Indoor Team can get you the right cactus for your sunny windowsill !

Call us - let's talk choices !

PLANT SPECIALISTSGREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 53 YEARS !

   Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBAAll photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

Previous

Polypodiophyta
Next

BAGWORMS