Brief description of the cactus. Common cactus: photo of the plant and everything you need to know about it. Soil for cacti

Cacti are one of the most ancient plants. On the planet, the number of their varieties will soon reach three thousand.
These thorny plants are easy to care for. They love a minimum of water and can withstand large amounts of sunbathing. This is due to the location of their homeland – South America. Cacti are very diverse. Since this plant has been known for a long time, people have found many uses for it.

Spines are not the only decoration of the cactus. Some species are able to bloom, and it is truly a stunning sight. Over the many years of existence, cacti have not been used anywhere. There are also many hoaxes and rumors associated with them.

The most important myth of our time

The first home computer several decades ago was the reason for the appearance of another guest in the house - a cactus. For some reason, people then believed that this plant, placed near a monitor or in any other proximity to technology, would absorb all - or almost all - harmful radiation. But in reality there are no studies that prove this. But cactus spines are capable of ionizing the air.

The drink that gave different visions

Cactus for food purposes? Why not, because this became widely known after similar descriptions in the book of the writer Carlos Castaneda. True, it was not the cactus itself that was used, but its roots. Shamans from Mexico experimentally discovered that a drink with the root of the peyote cactus put them into a state of deepest trance. Simply put, it was very potent psychedelic. Currently, it is prohibited to grow such cacti in many countries. This does not stop the Indian tribes from Latin America that have survived to this day. Many of them still deify hallucinogenic cactus. They even have this belief: when you see such a cactus, you should definitely say hello. If you don’t do this, the cactus will harbor a grudge and even be able to cause damage. This cactus is also called Lophophora Williams.

Favorite of cows

Cows love to eat cacti. Farmers benefit from the cows' addiction to them: such a diet stimulates greater milk production. Animals should not be allowed to eat cacti, as the thorns will injure them. Therefore, farmers in Mexico collect these plants and remove their needles. Not all cacti are suitable for eating; prickly pears are the ones that are usually collected. This use of cacti naturally affects their number. Therefore, farmers often bring prickly pears from other places when the cows eat all those growing around the farm.

Heterogeneity of sizes

The height of Californian cereus reaches twenty meters! The stems of such frightening giants can contain the purest fresh water - up to two tons. 20 is not the limit: a cactus of this type has been recorded that has grown to 24 meters. He did not become this way right away: his maturity lasted 150 years.

And the smallest representatives of cacti are Blossfeldia. Their height is only a few centimeters. It ranges from one to three cm.

Food

Not only animals, but also people can eat cacti. Columbus at one time, having met with Indians from America, first decided that they were eating melons. But later he realized that he was very mistaken: it was a cactus. Nowadays, the most common sweet in Mexico is slices of cactus covered in sugar. The cactus itself, from which such confectionery delights are made, is called “candy”. And some types of cacti were completely destroyed by the inhabitants of Bolivia and Paraguay. Not because they are dangerous. But because they were amazingly tasty after baking.

Cactus as an organic dye

Not tequila

For some reason, many people believe that tequila is made from cacti. However, this drink is obtained from blue agave. This misconception is most likely due to the fact that agave is confused with cacti - which it actually is not.

Musical instrument

It sounds strange, but it is the stems of large cacti that give the traditional drums from Argentina a special sound. Special processing of such stems adds a specific sound and incredible color. Over the years, local residents have learned to make the most of these thorny plants. One German musician actually used the cactus to record his music.

Why cost a wooden fence when there is a cactus?

Cacti can also be used as a hedge. Densely planted plants can create an impenetrable wall. Frightening thorns can discourage many people from entering private property. However, in areas where cacti are abundant, such fences may not have the same effect as they do on tourists.

People may be resistant to such a sight, but dogs and coyotes are afraid of these thorny plants. Wolves are also scared of cacti. Even those people who first came to the Wild West noted this peculiar phenomenon.

In addition, cactus needles can be used for medicinal purposes. Instead of a needle, they can be used to stitch wounds.

Not just plantations - there is one of a kind on Earth cactus garden. It is located in Monte Carlo. Cacti are planted on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and the number of their species reaches several hundred.

Vitamins are obtained from cacti. Cacti also make good soap and shampoo. Unpretentious cacti do not tolerate frequent rearrangements. Frequent turning causes the appearance of these plants to deteriorate and the needles to fall out. Sometimes frequent twitching can even lead to the death of a cactus.

Amazing in their diversity, cacti are one of the most interesting plants on earth. Many of them live much longer than humans, patiently waiting for years for favorable conditions to bloom. Thanks to their beauty and unpretentiousness, many cacti quickly became quite popular as indoor plants, although, of course, home specimens are difficult to compare with the majestic giants growing in the wild.

Facts about cacti

Their first species appeared on Earth, according to various estimates, 30-35 million years ago.
The word “cactus” itself comes from the ancient Greek “kaktos”. The ancient Greeks used it to designate any plant with thorns.
So far, no fossil remains of cacti have been found, although many fossilized trees have been found ().
Before the discovery of the New World by Columbus, Vespucci and other navigators, cacti were unknown to Europeans.
Cereus cacti, native to California, reach a height of 20 meters. This is approximately 7 floors. One trunk of such a giant contains about 2 tons of water.
Columbus himself wrote in his notes that the aborigines ate strange prickly melons. In fact, he saw them eating a cactus ().
Cacti are also widely used as raw materials. They are used in the production of beverages, soaps, shampoos and livestock feed.
The tallest cactus ever found grew to 24 meters and is estimated to be 150 years old. It is still growing, being under official state protection. For his damage, the authorities promise 25 years in prison.
In the shamanic practices of many Indian peoples of some Latin American countries, hallucinogenic cacti are still used ().
Mexican farmers actively feed their cows prickly pear cacti, which contain a lot of water, as this allows them to increase milk production. Cows like this food, but it has to be cleared of thorns before feeding the animals, otherwise they may get hurt.
The smallest cacti in the world are Blossfeldias. They do not grow more than 3 centimeters.
In Mexico, a popular delicacy is slices of a certain type of cactus in sugar.
In Bolivia and Paraguay, some types of cacti have completely disappeared, since they were all completely eaten by local residents ().
Contrary to popular belief, tequila is not made from cacti. Blue agave, which is the raw material for making this drink, is not a cactus.
Traditional Argentine drums are made from the stems of large cacti.

In some Latin American countries, homeowners plant rows of spiny cacti along their fences for added protection. It is extremely difficult to overcome such a wall.
The only open-air cactus garden in the world is located in the Principality of Monaco ().
Once upon a time, prickly pear cacti almost caused an environmental disaster in Australia. Prickly pears brought to this continent rapidly captured more and more new spaces, displacing other plants and, with their thorns, killing the cattle that ate them. The Argentine moth, introduced for this purpose, helped cope with the cactus invasion. They even erected a monument to her in Australia.
House cacti do not often need to be turned on their other side to the sunlight. This can lead to weakening of the plant and even loss of needles.
There are about 3 thousand species of cacti in the world.
The natives of South America have long used cactus needles for surgical purposes, using them to stitch wounds ().
For unknown reasons, dogs, wolves and their other relatives do not like cacti, and sometimes are even afraid of them, even if they have never personally encountered them.
Cactus spines ionize the air no less effectively than the leaves of many plants.
Donkeys living in South America have become accustomed to knocking the thorns off cacti with their hooves, so that they can then calmly eat the plant. European donkeys can't do that.
In Mexico, large cacti () are used instead of a Christmas tree.
Thorns replace leaves for cacti, but much less moisture evaporates from them than from flat leaves. Their other function is to protect the plant from animals.
Pollination of cacti is carried out by bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and even bats.
Most types of cacti can tolerate heat up to +55-60 degrees without harm.
Europe's first collection of cacti appeared in the 16th century in London, collected by an inquisitive local pharmacist.
Between 75 and 90 percent of a cactus' mass is water. The exact value depends on the type of plant and its current moisture supply.
The roots of cacti, unlike the roots of trees, go only slightly into the ground, which is why they are easy to uproot or knock down. But they grow significantly in width so that in case of rain they absorb moisture from the maximum available area.

All the most interesting things about cacti

Green hedgehogs, which can often be found on the windowsills of flower growers and housewives, bloom in a variety of colors, each with its own character and whimsicality, and that's all about them... about cacti. Cacti are native to dry deserts and steppes. Botanists count about 3,000 species of this plant. Different types of cacti have unexpected, bizarre shapes: round and ribbed balls, cakes, and columns. All cacti are covered with spines of various colors and sizes.

The most amazing thing about these green creatures is the amazing resilience with which they withstand heat and lack of moisture. They can live for many years even in a sealed flask with moist soil. When these prickly creatures bloom, it is difficult to find more beautiful flowers than their flowers. Some bloom once every five or even more years, some annually, and last for six months.

Echinocactus contains about 80% water in its pulp, which is comparable to watermelon or cucumber. Donkeys learned to extract water from it by knocking down the top layer of the plant along with the thorns with their hooves.

The fruits of some cacti are edible; they are very large, juicy and tasty. The yellow and red fruits look like a pear covered with small thorns. There are cacti that taste like strawberries and are used to make soft drinks. Various delicacies are made from cacti, their fruits are sold in markets, Indian tribes use it as medicine and also as a drug to enter a stupefying state for rituals. Cactus fruits are eaten raw, jams and compotes, unusual-tasting creams and jams are made from them, they are added to wine for color and aroma, and stewed with meat in the form of a stew.

Twenty species of cacti are an excellent antibiotic that can cure some complex diseases. Aphids are bred on cacti, from which food coloring is obtained.

Growing and collecting cacti is a very exciting area of modern floriculture. Collectors understand complex names and sophisticated agricultural techniques. It happens that completely different cacti are called by the same name. There is still no reference book for cactus growers with a description of all types and varieties in Russian. Cactus lovers still use the old German reference book by Kurt Beneberg and Walter Hage, or small reference books with the main species.

Conflicting opinions arise regarding the fact that the cactus protects PC users from harmful radioactive radiation generated by the monitor. Many adherents of a healthy lifestyle place cacti around the apartment to protect against radiation and even carry pocket cacti with them to protect against mobile radiation. The opposite opinion suggests that its imaginary usefulness of protection from radioactive radiation was imposed back in Soviet times. Cacti do grow better in conditions of increased electromagnetic radiation, but the idea that the plant absorbs radiation is highly controversial. However, the spines still serve as an air ionizer, this is a proven fact.

So, nature lovers, a beautiful blooming thorny garden on your window is not only a room decoration, a source of creative work and care, but also a useful plant in all its manifestations.

Comfortable temperature

Cactus is a heat-loving plant, but quite resistant to coolness, as well as sharp temperature fluctuations. The cactus feels excellent in the winter months of the year - provided that the temperature in the room in which the plant is kept does not fall below 6-8 degrees Celsius.

The cactus is afraid of dry air; it can also get sick if there are drafts in the room. If there is such an opportunity, then it is better to place this plant on the windowsills of southern windows - where there is more light. Lack of lighting can cause the cactus to wilt, stem deformation and the appearance of all kinds of diseases.

A cactus can bloom only if the room temperature is maintained at a stable temperature (18-20 degrees). Frequent ventilation of the room can significantly speed up the appearance of beautiful flowers on cactus stems, since this plant loves fresh air and does not tolerate stagnant air.

Proper watering

Cactus is a plant that does not require intensive watering and feels comfortable even in dry soil. What is truly detrimental to a cactus is frequent watering, which can cause stagnation of water in the container.

During the winter months, the plant should be watered very rarely - no more than twice a month. For irrigation, it is advisable to use only soft water - rain or melt water. When watering with hard tap water, excess salts can accumulate at the base of the cactus stems, which do not affect the development of the plant in the best way.

Soil for cactus

Special soil for cacti should be used; it can be purchased at any gardening store. Basically, the cactus grows at home on slightly acidic, loose soils (ph = 4.5-6). When planting a plant, it is necessary to thoroughly loosen the soil in order to ensure access of air and water to its root system.

If it is not possible to purchase special soil for keeping a cactus, you can use ordinary leaf soil for these purposes (dig it up in a park or in a birch grove in the spring). It is advisable to add a little rotted manure (as an organic fertilizer) and coarse sand (to absorb excess moisture and loosen) to the soil.

Let's figure out what the name means and what family this plant belongs to. The cactus got its name from its characteristic spines.: from other Greek. κάκτος means “thorny plant.”

The family of dicotyledonous plants Cactaceae (lat. Cactaceae) belongs to the order Cloves. The family includes 150 genera, and the number exceeds 3000. Below is a comparative description of succulents and cacti.

Representatives of the Cactaceae are perennial succulents with thick, fleshy, almost completely ribbed stems. Succulents (which in Latin means succulentus - succulent) are perennial plants of dry places that store water reserves in leaves or stems (cacti - Cactus in English). However, it should be understood that cacti and succulents are not the same thing.

Succulents store water in fleshy leaves, which the cactus does not have, stem and roots. Succulents are not a family or a group, but rather plants united by a common property - the ability to retain moisture inside. Simply put, succulents are a broader concept.

Cacti are flowering plants. It would be a mistake to call it a flower, because a flower is a plant organ. However, many types of cacti bloom. The plant has a great variety of unusual properties and characteristics. For example, the unique pigment of a flower, a wide variety of shapes and sizes of stems - from tiny two-centimeter balls to tall plants of several meters.

A distinctive feature of cacti is the special organ of the areola, which is a modified axillary bud with bud scales in the form of hairs or spines.

Cacti have an original structure of the flower and fruit: they are the tissue of the stem. Flowers and fruits of a plant almost always have buds, and they, in turn, belong to the stem, which is responsible for photosynthesis. The flowers themselves are often solitary, sometimes collected in a racemose inflorescence located on the cephalium - a special protrusion.

Cacti are not just green stems covered in flowers. They have quite interesting blooms. The sepals smoothly turn into petals, which are white, yellow, pink, purple, red and multi-colored. The flowers are very small, and sometimes their diameter reaches 20 cm.

The fruits are berry-shaped, bright, with many small seeds. Many cacti have edible ones.

Photo of a flower

Here you can see all the photos of the most beautiful cacti (cactus), in a pot and outdoors:

Law of Growth

Cacti are indeed very unpretentious and beautiful plants., but their significant drawback is slow growth. Although cacti are said to like dry soil and don't need frequent watering, they grow best when it rains when it comes to wild plants. In addition to humidity levels, sunlight is also important for them. Therefore, cacti begin to grow actively in the spring.

It is easy to determine the beginning of this phase, because in many plant species it manifests itself externally. For example, in some, the tops of the spines become brighter, there are more spines, and the skin of the upper part of the stem acquires a different, more saturated shade.

The vegetative period is characterized by a temporary slowdown or cessation of growth. The fact is that flowering takes a lot of energy, so the plant simply does not have “strength” left to grow.

In winter, the cactus undergoes a dormant cycle., and they need nutrients most of all. In spring, the plant begins to bloom, it needs more moisture, fertilizer, a lot of light and warmth. Flowering continues in summer.

Learn more about how cacti grow.

How to determine age?

It is impossible to determine the age of a cactus visually. There are only two options to find out: track it from the moment of sowing or ask the person who grew it. The age of a cactus is calculated by dormant periods. If, for example, a cactus grows for three years in the same conditions - from humidity to lighting, then all three years are one year of the cactus’s life. If in 5 years a cactus has had one dormant period, then it means it is not 5 years old, but only its second year (read about how long cacti live at home and in nature).

How long a cactus grows depends, first of all, on the species. Some species can reach several meters in height with a properly selected pot. But in any case, it is easier for wild cacti to reach maximum height than for domestic ones. The famous “Queen of the Night” can reach 20 m in height.

History of origin: where is its homeland and how does it grow in nature?

Now about where the homeland of cacti is located. The first mentions of cacti are found in Spanish newspapers in 1535. Then they began to be grown. Cacti first came to Europe after Columbus's expedition to America. In the 30s of the XVIII century, in his works, Carl Linnaeus described 22 species of plants, which he named Cactus. In this century there were many descriptions and information about cacti, and a fashion arose for breeding these plants. Their country of origin is considered to be South and North America. We’ll tell you further where else cacti live.

Cacti are distributed mainly on this continent, including in deserts. In addition, representatives of some species grow in Africa, Mauritius and Madagascar, and are found in Australia, India, and Mediterranean countries. In general, cacti live on all continents except Antarctica.

How does it adapt to its environment?

Now let’s talk about why cactus grows spines instead of leaves. Nature has awarded cacti with special grooves along which water accumulates to the roots and accumulates in them. The spherical shape contributes to low evaporation of moisture. The formation of cracks is prevented by ribs on the stem.

Thick skin protects the plant from heat, and the spines and villi create a protective shadow. In addition, the spines have the unique ability to attract drops of water electrostatically, and also protect the plant from hungry animals and promote pollination. The cactus does not have leaves, so as not to waste precious moisture.

Can I keep it at home?

Cacti have long been learned to be grown and kept at home in the room. Houseplants are completely non-toxic. The maximum they can do to annoy you is to prick you with their spines (find out how to avoid being pricked by a cactus and what to do if this happens).

Benefits and calorie information

Cactus fruits are widely used in cooking because they have beneficial properties (learn more about the fruits and their use). They have low calorie content - only 41 kcal per 100 grams. The edible fruits contain large amounts of carbohydrates (5.97 g), fats (0.51 g) and proteins (0.73 g). Cacti help fight hypertension, diabetes, and reduce cholesterol levels.

Find out more about the benefits and harms of cactus for humans in.

What can you cook?

All parts of the plant are eaten, except, of course, the spines.. Juices that quench thirst well and sweetener syrups that can be consumed by diabetics are made from cacti.

Dishes made from cactus fruits

The fruits are consumed not only raw, but also jams, preserves, marmalade and even seasonings are prepared from them. The fruits of some species have not only a pleasant taste, but also healing properties. Cactus stems are also eaten: they can be pickled, fried, boiled, baked, stewed, or made into a salad.

Beverages

Not only healthy refreshing juice is made from cacti, but also alcohol. The “king” of this trend is the prickly pear, widespread in Mexico. The most famous drink from the cactus is Baytra liqueur, which is produced in Malta.

Not so long ago Czechs have learned to make diet beer from cactus, which has not yet achieved recognition throughout the world, but is popular in Europe. From cacti, Mexicans make a strong alcoholic drink, “Sahuaro,” which is consumed not only in its pure form, but also as part of cocktails, and also goes well with martinis.

Features of care

A cactus at home needs enough light, so it is better to place pots on a south or east window. But only if we are talking about desert species! Forest cacti, on the contrary, prefer western and northern windows.

In summer, it is better to place the cactus on the balcony to provide more fresh air. In winter, they need a cool place (15-17 degrees) and shade. Contrary to popular belief, cactus needs abundant watering. To do this, it is better to use water at room temperature, and ideally rain or melt water.

Reproduction

At home, cactus in the following ways:

Children (shoots).
By cuttings.
Seeds.
Vaccination.

The simplest are the first two methods.

Children

Children (1.5-2 cm) are detached from the mother plant.
The children are attached to a glass of water at a distance of 5-7 mm from the water to the cactus.
As water evaporates, it is added. It is better to maintain the temperature at 25-30 degrees.
After the roots have formed, the children sit down. Virmiculite, zeolite, coarse sand or small stones can be sprinkled around the cactus.

Cuttings

Healthy and strong parts of the cactus are selected.
The upper part of the cactus is cut off, sharpened, dried for about 7 days and rooted in the ground.
For better rooting, the lower part of the cut cactus is placed in a warm Kornevin solution (1 tsp per 0.5 l of water) for several hours. Then it is dried for 2-3 days and planted in the ground.

Seeds

Rarely succeeds. Fungus appears on some emerging sprouts, others lose roots, dry out or rot.

Bloom, my star!

Cacti may not bloom at all if there are no suitable conditions for this. Some species begin to bloom from the age of three, while others will take as long as 10 years. usually begins in the spring, after a period of rest. It is quite difficult to achieve flowering of a plant, and suitable conditions for them are not always sufficient.

It is necessary to alternate the life stages that are observed in the natural growth conditions of the cactus. Therefore, if you want a cactus to bloom, you need to choose one of two ways: either make every effort to achieve the desired result, or choose unpretentious species.

Diseases

Diseases of cacti are most often caused by bacteria, lower fungi, mycoplasmas, and viruses. Their impact can lead to the death of the plant, and rare and valuable species most often become targets of enemies. To avoid infection of cacti, favorable living conditions will again help.

Among cactus diseases, the most common are:

spotting;
viral mosaic of epiphyllums;
Euphorbia mosaic virus;
jaundice;
prickly pear witches' brooms;
dry and wet rot;
mushroom growth and others.

You can learn about diseases and pests of cacti.

Cacti, like any plants, require careful, care and special conditions. Sometimes you need to take care of house flowers as if you were your own children, because it is the owner’s attitude towards the plants that determines their health, beauty and normal development.