Cacti are desert plants native to the Americas. Being desert plants, they consume very less water and this have thorns instead of leaves as a leaves consume large amount of water. They vary a lot in looks, height and texture. This article is mainly about their care, facts, propagation and common cacti varieties. So, lets proceed with the article.
Care
If you can manage a few things, it is easy to care for the cacti.
Sun
Plant them in bright direct sunlight. Seedlings and very young plants should be kept in partial shade.
Water
As they are a desert plant, the watering should be very infrequent. Water them once or twice in a month. Cacti planted in lawns/gardens can be watered more frequently than those in containers.
Fungus
Excessive watering can cause fungi on your cacti. Water them sparingly in winters especially. If your cactus has fungus on it, you should remove the infected part to control the spread.
Propagation
Propagation is a process to start new plants from the existing ones. Cacti can be propagated by means of stem cutting, seed germination and division. Remember all varieties can not be propagated by division or cutting.
Common Varieties
Following are some of the common varieties of these plants.
Hedgehog Cactus
Barrel Cactus
Saguaro Cactus
Prickly Pear
Organ Pipe Cactus
Horse Crippler
Pincushion Cacti
Thanksgiving Cactus
Easter Cactus
Christmas Cactus
Interesting Facts about Cacti
Saguaro cactus is the tallest cactus plant that can grow up to 20 m high.
All cacti are native to the Americas.
All cacti are succulents. They store water to use it later.
Native Americans used the barrel cactus as a pot.
There are over 2000 species of cactus.
Some cactus spines can be about 15 cm long.
Gila woodpeckers nest inside the stem of the saguaro cactus.
