Cacti, as you know, are still Spartans among plants. They settle where few survive. They do not need constant soil moisture and are classified as one of the most drought-resistant plants. Some skeptics even argue that there is nothing special to love about cacti: they say, they only have thorns. But apparently, the apologists of this point of view simply never saw how these “Spartans” blossomed. The flowering of cacti is a stunning spectacle that turns the established opinion about “thorns” upside down. Well, are you ready? We have chosen for you a stunning “twenty”, the flowering of which fascinates and makes you fall in love at first sight.
Schlumbergera cactus
The Schlumbergera cactus has several names. For example, it is often called zygocactus. But there is a third - completely popular name: Decembrist. No, no, the flower is in no way connected with the participants in the Russian opposition movement of the beginning of the century before last. The cactus received this name due to the fact that the buds, which ripen on it for a long time, bloom just on the eve of Christmas. Moreover, the flowers on the zygocactus can be painted in the most unexpected colors - from scarlet to soft pink.
The homeland of the Schlumbergera cactus is the tropical forests of Brazil. Although this flower has thorns, it is not as sharp and prickly as its counterparts. The thorns of the zygocactus are soft and delicate.
Coloring of cactus flowers
Coloring of cactus flowers
In addition to the size of the flower, as the pollen matures, the color of the cactus petals also changes. In some species the flower becomes paler, while in others, on the contrary, it becomes brighter; sometimes the color of the petals even changes.
Many people have heard that in the Cactus family there are no flowers of only blue and blue shades. This is true, although upon careful examination you can see a transition to blue on the purple petals, and to blue on the lilac petals. In general, the flowers of our prickly pets contain such a wide range of colors that in the spring it is impossible to take your eyes off even your own collection, which has already been studied “up and down”. What can we say about other people’s flowering cacti, the sight of which often sparks a manic “I WANT!!!” in our eyes? true collector. When flower lovers I know come to visit me during the mass flowering of cacti, they ask in surprise: “How can you keep such a miracle on the balcony, while you calmly do some business in other rooms? You can’t take your eyes off them!”
Indeed, cacti in bloom are a fascinating sight, especially when there are a lot of them. Moreover, this spectacle is unique and inimitable, because our pets change their display every day: some fade, and others come to replace them.
Night flowers, as a rule, are white or, in any case, light, large and fragrant - to actively attract pollinating insects in the dark. But among the daytime flowers, in addition to white and all shades of red, yellow, green and other colors, there are even multicolored ones (sometimes with stripes or a border on the petals, sometimes with a contrasting throat). The pistil and stamen filaments of flowers are also bright and make a feasible contribution to the beauty of the flower.
In the sun, the petals of many cacti shimmer with mother-of-pearl. Sometimes they sparkle with inclusions reminiscent of golden sand: the flower shines dazzlingly, like an exquisite piece of jewelry created by a brilliant, unsurpassed master - Nature.
Astrophytum flowers have pearly yellow petals, and in some species - with a dark red throat (A.capricorne, A.asterias, A.coahuilense and their hybrids). In recent years, cultivars of A.asterias with pink and red flowers have been developed. The bulk of ailostera pleases us with all shades of orange, but there are also ailostera with pink or white-pink flowers, and even dark red.
The flowers of the rebutia proper are not only blue and blue; all other shades of the petals are present in abundance.
Mediolobivias are famous for their unusually delicate pastel flowers: salmon, light orange or white-pink, but among them there are also species with yellow and red flowers.
Sulcorebutia are magnificent cacti in all respects: miniature, with compact spherical or bush-like stems, pectinate spines and charming flowers of various colors, sparkling with mother-of-pearl. Sulcorebutia are promising even for creating an extensive specialized collection: among them we will find a huge variety of stems, spines, and shining flowers. The staminate filaments are often brightly colored, which gives the flower originality and contrast. The flowers of some sulcorebutias emit faint spicy odors.
Weingartias, which are close relatives of rebutias, most often bloom with pure yellow flowers, but there are also red-flowered species among them. In my subjective opinion, Weingartia are somewhat monotonous and large, for this reason I ignore them (perhaps in vain).
Again, subjective, I have no passion for parodies. But I really love notocacti, most of which have yellow flowers, but if you wish, you can collect a mini-collection of non-yellow-flowered notocacti, which is what I do:
— there are red-flowered varieties of N.ottonis;
— pink-flowered species N.herteri, N.roseiflorus and N.roseoluteus;
- orange flowers in N.horstii and its varieties;
- purple-violet in N.uebelmannianus;
— the petals of N.rutilans contain a complex color composition.
If you include in this set a few more yellow-flowered species with original stems and different shades of petals, then a tray with flowering notocacti will look simply charming!
For me personally, the most attractive, sometimes even shocking with their unnatural splendor, are the flowers of Echinocereus. Among cacti of this genus, there are species with rather small flowers, but they are in the minority. To compensate for their modest size, the colors of these flowers are often quite unusual: green or brown.
The green-flowered baby Echinocereus davisii emits a distinct citrus scent when blooming; The diameter of its flowers is only about 30 mm. But, opening several at a time, the flowers hide underneath a tiny cactus bush with long curved multi-colored spines.
Among the pink-flowered species of Echinocereus there are several white-flowered varieties; In general, white flowers are extremely rare among representatives of this wonderful genus. In addition to white, there are single-color flowers, for example, in Echinocereus knippelianus - soft pink, in Echinocereus subinermis - bright yellow. There are flowers whose petals have a darker central stripe and light edges of the same color (or vice versa). Basically, on the petals of Echinocereus we see complex color transitions in different directions, for example: from a dark red throat to pale pink tips, from a white throat to pure red petals, and other most unexpected combinations. The stigma of the Echinocereus pistil is most often rich green, much less often yellow or even whitish, and the thick corolla of long stamens gives the flower additional elegance.
The unreal perfection of elegant, perfectly symmetrical Echinocereus flowers is often accompanied by exotic aromas that can be felt even at a considerable distance.
Rhipsalis
This is another cactus that is impossible to prick yourself on. The stems of rhipsalis are very long and can reach a meter in length. During the flowering period, which, by the way, just like the Schlumberger cactus, occurs in the first month of winter, yellow, pink and snow-white inflorescences appear on these long shoots. Blooming rhipsalis is a stunning and very exotic sight. Two regions located in different parts of the world are considered to be the birthplace of this plant. The first of them is the same Brazil, from which the Schlumbergera cactus comes. And the second is Ceylon, which today is part of Sri Lanka.
In nature, rhipsalis settles on trees and hangs beautifully from them. And in cultural conditions, this plant is often used to decorate balconies.
How to care for a cactus so that it blooms?
In order for a succulent to bloom, it must be provided with appropriate care.
The main condition for cacti to bloom is proper wintering.
It should be noted that cacti do not like to be turned and moved from place to place, especially when budding. Usually the buds are laid on the side that is in the shade. If you turn them to the sunny side, they will begin to dry out and crumble.
Selecting a location
It is widely believed that cacti absorb harmful computer radiation, which is why they are often placed on the desktop. It is believed that plants wither as a result of the received radiation. But this is not true at all. The main cause of stunting is lack of light.
In summer, it is advisable to take cacti out into the garden or onto the balcony, observing the lighting requirements. When autumn comes, you should not rush to bring indoor flowers into the house - the night cooling hardens the plants, increases resistance to diseases and promotes subsequent flowering.
During winter dormancy, photosynthesis slows down significantly. Therefore, cacti are placed in dimly lit places. Such wintering stimulates budding.
One of the reasons for the lack of flowering is the rotation of succulents. They should always be turned to the sun with the same side.
To prevent curvature of the trunk, once a year you should turn the pots with cacti 180 degrees, but only in the autumn.
Watering
In summer, water cacti once every 3-4 weeks.
In winter, water cacti once a month. During this period, they “sleep”, and because of this they almost do not absorb moisture. Therefore, even the slightest waterlogging can provoke root rot.
Temperature
Most gardeners consider cacti to be heat-loving plants, which is why they are kept warm all year round. Of course, in such conditions, “prickly pets” actively grow, increasing in size. But they are not going to bloom, since there is no alternation between the phases of rest and growth.
How to make a houseplant bloom? Natural conditions should be reproduced - in the homeland of succulents it is quite cold in winter. In the cold, metabolism slows down, which promotes the formation of buds. At higher temperatures, there is an active growth of green mass, and the plant does not have enough strength to flower.
It is important to choose the temperature regime, taking into account the type of cactus:
- 0-5⁰С - for neoobesia and escobaria;
- 8-10 ⁰С - for astrophytum, rebutia and echinocereus;
- 12-15⁰С - for mammilaria, gymnocalycium, echinopsis.
But it is not enough to create the required temperature; you need to properly prepare the plants. Before wintering, gradually reduce the frequency and abundance of watering. The temperature is reduced only after the earth has completely dried. Otherwise, damage to the roots may occur.
The lower the temperature (but not less than 5⁰C) you create for mammillaria, the faster they will bloom.
In addition to proper preparation for wintering, you will also need the right way out of it. With the onset of spring days, the stems are lightly sprayed with water, due to which the substrate will be wetted drop by drop. After 10 days, they begin to water the plants sparingly, gradually increasing the volume of water.
Top dressing
There is no consensus on the need and frequency of fertilization. Most flower growers believe that their pets do not need feeding, since in nature they grow on sandy, infertile soils. But if the plant is severely weakened, then mineral fertilizers can be applied during the growing season.
Organic fertilizers are strictly contraindicated, as they have a detrimental effect on the root system.
How to feed a cactus to bloom? The only fertilizer that can be used during this period is a weak (gram per liter of water) solution of potassium phosphate.
With excess fertilizing, especially nitrogen, cacti do not bloom, but actively grow babies.
Rhipsalidopsis
Visually, ripsalidopsis is very similar to Decembrist. And its name is consonant with the previous participant in our top. Meanwhile, ripsalidopsis is an absolutely independent plant, which is popularly often called the Easter flower. And all because the flowering of this non-thorny cactus coincides with the great holiday of Easter. There are more than three thousand species of ripsalidopsis. But there are, of course, significantly fewer cultural varieties. However, even those that exist are very diverse: a distinctive feature of all varietal and hybrid rhipsalidopsis is the bright color of the inflorescences.
Gymnocalycium
A traditional round cactus, which, unlike its previous brethren, has rather dense and dangerous spines. If the conditions you create for growing the gymnocalycium cactus are truly comfortable, then in the second year of its life this “fat little thing” will bloom. Gymnocalycium flowers may differ in color. They come in both crimson and hot pink, yellow, powdery or orange.
Gymnocalycium Michanovich is one of the most popular varieties of this cactus. Not only the flowers are unusual, but also the stem itself, which has a red-brown color that is absolutely uncharacteristic for a cactus.
Cactus flowers
Cactus flowers
And now the developed buds of the cacti began to open.
We have come close to the most exciting moment - the actual flowering. The majority of members of the family have daytime flowers. That is, they open in the late morning, when the sun appears, and close in the afternoon, towards evening, until the next morning.
The category of cacti with day flowers includes common genera:
— Notocactus;
- Mammillaria and all close relatives;
— Rebutia, including Aylostera, Mediolobivia, Sulcorebutia (all flowers are open for about three days);
— Gymnocalycium (flowers last up to a week!);
— Echinocereus (different species bloom from two days to a week; in addition, there are Echinocereus with night flowers) and many others.
In sunny weather, each day flower lasts for an average of three days, and in general - from one day to a week (depending on the species). To fully open their daytime flowers, different cacti require different illumination, but most show their flowers in all their glory only on sunny days, and on cloudy days they leave them half-open or completely closed.
The lifespan of each individual cactus flower depends on lighting, and here’s why. Why does a cactus bloom? In order to “preserve oneself” in the next generations: produce fruits with seeds. In order for fruit to set, ripened pollen is necessary, which is formed in the blossoming flower. For pollen to ripen, the flower must be open for a certain amount of time. And for the flower to fully open, it needs sunlight. Consequently, in cloudy weather it takes more days for pollen to mature than in sunny weather. Accordingly, the cactus will try to open the flower until the pollen is ready to germinate when it lands on the stigma, regardless of the weather and our intentions regarding its pollination. That is, if the sun shines brightly from morning to evening, the average day flower opens for the required three days, after which it fades, having completed its mission of growing mature pollen. And if it’s dark and raining, this process can take a week.
There are cacti whose flowers open at night. These flowers are fundamentally different from daytime flowers in that they do not need lighting to fully open and ripen the pollen, since they are adapted to bloom in complete darkness. As a rule, the night flowers of cacti are short-lived (their lifespan is from one night to two days), and the night flowers mostly remain open during the day.
Night-blooming cacti include Selenicereus, which has huge flowers that only last one night (my “Queen of the Night” hasn’t bloomed yet, but I’m looking forward to it and hoping).
The charming little Setiechinopsis mirabilis also opens its seven-centimeter “chrysanthemums” at sunset; During the night they manage to be pollinated, permeating the entire room with a persistent aroma, and in the morning they already wither. The pollen from this baby is a very strong allergen, and for this reason I had to get rid of it.
Disco cacti also have fragrant night flowers. In one day, rapidly developing buds manage to appear from the cephalium: in the evening they bloom, and by the morning they have already faded.
It is believed that Echinopsis itself also has nocturnal flowers. But this is not entirely true. Their “gramophones” actually open at sunset, filling the night with their intoxicating smell, which intensifies by midnight to the point of absolute unbearability, often causing a headache for the lucky owner of the “prickly miracle”, and almost disappears by morning. There are Echinopsis with flowers that are devoid of scent. But most often they fade only by the evening of the next day. And sometimes it happens that they don’t close the next night, having stayed for almost two days in total. Therefore, Echinopsis flowers can be called, rather, around the clock.
Astrophytum
Speckled Astrophytum, which every self-respecting fan of cacti has in their collection, is very similar to a star in the sky. Actually, it was precisely for this similarity that the Mexicans, who share the same citizenship with the cactus, gave it that name. Astrophytum blooms beautifully: during the flowering period, large single flowers appear on it. But still, the secret of its decorativeness is not in the flowers. The fact is that its stem is covered with multiple white specks, which turn the astrophytum into an impromptu map of the night sky.
Astrophytum variety “Jellyfish Head” looks very strange and unusual. The pattern of white dots on its stem resembles snakes swarming in the head of a mythical creature.
Flowering at home
Many people want to see this crop bloom, but not every gardener can do it. Firstly, it is necessary to choose the right type of plant, since not every species is able to bloom indoors . Secondly, you need to make every effort and wait for a certain moment.
How does it bloom?
Depending on the variety, only one flower or a large number of them may appear on a flowering plant.
So, for example, if we talk about a species such as Whip-shaped aporocactus , then it forms several buds at once, from which medium-sized pink flowers with long pointed petals appear. Another species, notocactus Otto, produces only one bud. One large (up to 8 cm in diameter) yellow flower appears from it.
The size and color of the flowers also depend on the species. Epitelanthus produces miniature flowers of a soft pink color, sometimes difficult to even see if you don’t look closely. The lobivia cactus produces large (about 15 cm in diameter) flowers of various colors - yellow, red, white, pink.
Whip aporocactus
Notocactus Otto
Epitelanta
There are various colors of flowers of various types. You can see white, red, pink and even brown shades. The only exceptions are blue and black flowers.
When?
Much depends on the age of the plant. While some varieties can bloom three years after planting , some species will take about 10 years .
Blooms after awakening from hibernation. However, for flowering to occur, the summer and winter periods must pass correctly. In summer, the plant stores nutrients by receiving light and heat.
In winter, it goes into “hibernation” to survive the lack of good lighting and high temperatures. Subsequently, after daylight hours increase, active metabolic processes will begin to occur in the plant. This will give impetus to budding and subsequent flowering.
How often?
There is a legend that after flowering the cactus dies. However, this is only possible if its content is incorrect. And this does not depend at all on flowering.
In fact, the cactus can bloom every year. Some species bloom less often or there is no flowering at all, no matter how much effort you put into it.
How to make it bloom?
In order for a cactus to bloom, you need to follow some rules for caring for it:
- Choose the right location plant pot. For desert cacti, southern windows are suitable, where maximum light and sunlight enters. Forest cacti are best kept on eastern or southern windows with slight shading;
- Maintain the location of the pot and do not rotate it relative to the light;
- Do not apply organic fertilizers ; it is enough to use mineral fertilizers from May until the end of the summer period;
- Provide winter rest by lowering the temperature. The temperature in winter depends on the species, but it should be above 0 degrees;
- In order for the plant to wake up in the spring, you need to spray it with hot water and water it generously.
Despite the fact that the cactus is a drought-resistant crop, in the summer it needs regular, but not too abundant watering.
Echinopsis (Echinopsis)
At first, the Echinopsis cactus resembles a forest hedgehog: it is just as rolled up into a ball and just as prickly and round as the popular inhabitant of forest clearings and meadow burrows. But as soon as Echinopsis is about to bloom, it begins to grow rapidly upward. And in nature its height can reach 200 cm! Not bad for someone who was originally a hedgehog, right?
Golden Echinopsis is a variety of this cactus, which is the smallest of all existing ones. The globular plant blooms in gold and yellow and looks simply stunning.
Rebutia
The miniature Rebutia marsonera is unusual in that its flowers “climb out” not from the crown, like most other cacti, but from the base of the stem. The mountainous regions of such South American countries as Argentina and Peru are considered the birthplace of this plant. The first flowering of rebutia usually occurs in the second year of life of this representative of the mountain flora. The flowers that appear on the cactus are distinguished by bright shades. The colors can be completely different, but the shades will always be catchy and rich.
Rebutia blooms only 48 hours a year, starting in its second year. Typically flowering occurs from mid-spring to early summer. Therefore, if you leave home for the weekend, you may well miss this moment.
Budding
Budding is a very important process in the life of a cactus, which needs to be treated with special attention. This is followed by the appearance of long-awaited flowers.
At what age do buds appear?
Some varieties of this crop are capable of producing buds already in the first year of life. These include some types of mammillaria .
Rebutias, ailosteras and some other plants bloom in the second year. Three years later, you can see the flowering of Echinopsis. Notocacti and astrophytums begin to bloom after four years. All other plants produce buds after five years.
Thus, the statement that only adult specimens bloom is erroneous.
Since some varieties grow extremely slowly, buds often form on very small specimens.
Therefore, before the end of the dormant period, it is recommended to inspect the plant so that in the future it does not drop the buds that have appeared.
Cactus buds look different depending on the species. So, for example, in mammillaria they are naked, while in echinopsis and notocactus they are fluffy.
Smooth buds of mammillaria
Fluffy buds of Echinopsis
Notocactus buds
Also, buds can appear from different parts of the plant . If in Rebutia the buds develop directly from the ground, then in Mammillaria they grow from side shoots. In others (notocactus, astrophytum), buds appear at the top of the stem.
How long does it take from the moment the bud appears until it opens?
On average, a bud develops within one month. However, some species begin to bloom after two months (Echinopsis).
There are situations when the buds open within a couple of weeks after formation. Discocactus can begin to bloom a day after.
Mammillaria
The mammillaria cactus has both spines and fluff. Double coating is characteristic of the entire surface of this cactus. In nature, mammillaria lives in Mexico and in some regions of the North American continent. And when it blooms at home, it is impossible to take your eyes off the plant. The flowers cover almost the entire area of the plant stem, obscure the spines and edges and turn the mammillaria into a blooming ball.
Mammillaria Bauman is one of the varieties of this cactus, which, due to the presence of a silvery edge, resembles a gray-haired old woman. During the flowering period, a stunning wreath of small yellow flowers appears on the “head” of this old lady.
Epiphyllum
Epiphytic cactus. The stems are long, branched, creeping or drooping, often with wavy edges. Stems can be either flat or triangular. Adult plants have no spines on their shoots. The flowers are large, white or red, funnel-shaped. Appear in spring or summer. Both the flower tube and the ovary are covered with scales, hairs and small spines.
Epiphyllum
Epiphyllum is one of the varieties of so-called forest cacti. In nature, they settle in trees and beautifully hang from the branches of larger representatives of the flora. The flower formed on the epiphyllum is most often white. Bright crimson and soft pink inflorescences are less common.
If the epiphyllum blooms at home, do not change the location of the cactus under any circumstances. If you start moving it around the house, it will immediately drop the flower - and the flowering process will stop before it even begins.
There are several popular varieties of epiphyllum:
- Epiphyllum Monstrosa has intricately twisting long stems that make the cactus look like a mythical creature;
- Hooker's epiphyllum is attractive with needle-shaped flowers, which are most often snow-white.
Flower growers should also know that there are varieties of this cactus that bloom in the dark.
Blooming Echinocereus
Blooming Echinocereus
Blooming Echinocereus: so different and so beautiful! It’s just a pity that the picture doesn’t convey the mixture of exquisite smells.
And finally, I can’t help but remember my favorites – mammillaria; The flowers of cacti of this genus are not solitary, but are collected in corollas around the crown. Although most common “window sill” mammillaria bloom with inconspicuous yellowish or creamy small flowers, you should not judge the genus as a whole by this category of plants. After all, it now includes extremes with huge purple or pink flowers, and mamillopsis with unusual large flowers (scarlet or white) on long tubes, and yellow-flowered beauties dolichoteles. And among the mammillaria itself there are absolutely charming flowers. Just look at the giant long-tubular funnels (bluish-lilac, with a white throat) on the tiny stalks of the mammillaria M.theresae, the huge striped petals of the mammillaria M.coahuilensis (which is actually Porfiria schwartzii), the soft pink gramophones of the mammillaria M.boolii, the extraordinary yellow -orange autumn-winter flowers of the mammillaria M.solisioides, and a white and pink miracle of nature emerging from the axillae of the unique mammillaria M.luethyi.
Aporocactus (Disocactus)
Aporocactus concatti should be planted in hanging containers or flowerpots, as its vine-like stems reach a length of more than two and a half meters. They hang very beautifully from the pot, filling the space and at the same time turning into an ideal green decoration for the interior of a home or office. During the flowering period, flowers of delicate shades bloom on liana-like shoots. Most often - soft scarlet.
Aporocactus, unlike its relatives, is characterized by an extremely long flowering period, which starts in the middle of winter and continues until the end of the first summer month. Some flowers fade and fade, but new buds immediately form in their place.
Cereus
Cereus cactus is a native of Brazil. At least, it was like that initially - until flower growers around the world tried to tame it. The name of this cactus is translated into Russian as “wax candle”. The name was given to the plant for its atypical and rather unusual shape, which stretches up at least ten meters. Often in natural habitats the cereus reaches a height of twenty meters.
The azure cereus deserves special attention. This is a variety of cactus whose stem is azure in color. When the flowering period begins, snow-white flowers appear on the stem, thanks to which this plant composition turns into a stand-in for the skies - blue, with occasional splashes of white clouds.
Echinocactus
People call these cacti hedgehog cacti. And all because their stems have the shape of a hemisphere and seem to look out of the ground. Echinocacti in their natural habitat choose the United States and Mexico. But they also grow quite well in pots on Ukrainians’ windowsills. Echinocacti are like turtles: they develop extremely slowly. But in nature, their height can reach three meters, and their diameter can reach one and a half meters. In addition to its impressive dimensions, this type of flowering cacti is also striking in its lifespan. Half a millennium is exactly the age of these plants.
At home, echinocactus is most often grown, which is popularly called the “golden barrel”. Its shape really resembles a barrel, and the flowers are usually yellow or golden.
What factors influence the appearance of flowers in cacti
Cacti, like other plants, spend a lot of energy on flowering. In desert conditions with minimal precipitation and poor soil, storing this energy is not easy. There are several factors that influence the health of thorny plants and their ability to reproduce flowers. Let's describe them in more detail.
Age of cacti
Some cacti begin flowering at an early age, but some species may take many years to bloom. If you don't want to wait, buy a cactus that has already bloomed last season.
Cacti require a rest period to bloom.
In their natural habitat, most cacti rest during the hot summer and often begin to grow and bloom in the fall. But if you live in a climate with cold winters, this is when you need to create conditions for the cactus to rest.
The rest period is the main factor. At this time, the growth of cacti slows down and all energy is redirected to the formation of buds. These buds become visible approximately 30-55 days before flowering.
It is also worth mentioning the ambient temperature during the dormant period. It is the drop in temperature in winter that causes the cactus to stop its growth and hibernate, thereby pushing the plant towards future flowering. The best temperature range to stimulate flower bud development is between 10°C and 15°C for about six weeks.
Cactus care information
What soil is needed to grow cacti?
How to water cacti correctly to avoid mistakes in care
How to properly use fertilizer for cacti at home
State of the root system
For flowers to appear, the cactus must have a strong and healthy root system. This is also very important, since weak roots indicate poor health of the plant. The condition of the root system is influenced by several factors: soil composition, the amount of moisture and beneficial microelements received, and the frequency of replanting.
Amount of light and fresh air
Your cactus must receive enough fresh air and light, especially during the growing season, otherwise it will not bloom. Time spent in direct sunlight is at least 6 hours a day.
A good tip is to leave the cactus outdoors until late summer (or longer if you have a mild climate). Lower temperatures and nighttime temperature changes will cause plants to harden. If you keep your cactus warm at room temperature most of the year, the plant may become too sensitive.
In winter, lighting naturally decreases. The plant needs about 12-14 hours of darkness during the day before it begins to bloom. Provide bright, indirect light during the day and at least 12 hours of darkness at night. This reduction in light should begin approximately 8 weeks before the expected flowering period.
Temperature changes
One of the important criteria. In natural desert conditions, temperatures during the day often exceed 40 °C and at night can drop to 0 °C. Achieving such extreme temperature changes in room conditions is difficult. But outside, the difference between day and night temperatures is more significant.
Watering and fertilizing
Also important conditions for flowering cacti. All cactus crops are not demanding on moisture.
Spring and summer are the period of active growth for most desert cacti. Wait for the soil to dry and then water thoroughly until water runs out of the bottom of the pot. During the winter, your cactus will need less light and less water. In winter, the soil will dry even more slowly, which means that there will be significantly more time between necessary waterings.
Fertilize your indoor cactus monthly while it is actively growing with a low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer or once in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in late summer or early fall.
Remember that more fertilizer does not mean more or faster flowering. Fertilizers simply ensure that your cactus gets enough of the nutrients it needs during the growing season.
Transfer
Cacti have a negative attitude towards transplantation. This can put them in a state of stress. If you are waiting for your pet to bloom, delay repotting until the plant has fully bloomed.
All of the above factors affect the overall health of your cactus plants and their readiness to bloom.
Cleistocactus strausii
The Strauss Cleistocactus plant is one of those that attracts the attention of gardeners not only during its flowering period. This handsome guy is good even without flowers. Its stem looks like a miniature column, which is completely covered with thick thin spines, which are almost impossible to get injured on. Flowers bloom on the sides of this “column”, emerging from the inside of the cactus, first in the form of a crimson tube, which looks like something exotic and alien.
Mammillaria
Small cacti with club-shaped shoots, which have a characteristic structural feature in the form of numerous papillae or tubercles.
They can grow to form colonies, so mammillaria thrive in wide, flat pots.
They are distinguished by an amazing variety of stem shapes and flower colors, which bloom in early spring. They form a sort of wreath or crown around the top of the stem.
Opuntia
If you have been to the Mediterranean at least once in your life, then you are definitely familiar with the prickly pear cactus firsthand. This cactus is popularly nicknamed “rabbit ears.” And all because its stems - large in area and almost flat - resemble the ears of a toy hare. Prickly pear blooms very beautifully: its inflorescences are painted in a rich peach-orange color. And the prickly pear is completely covered with thorns, so it won’t be difficult to get hurt on it: be careful.
In place of faded inflorescences, prickly pear forms vitamin-rich fruits that taste like a cross between gooseberries, kiwis and mulberries. In Mediterranean countries, prickly pear fruits are sold already peeled and packaged in plastic containers: just open and eat.
Discocactus
Another rounded representative of cacti. But the discocactus plant has characteristic ribs on the surface of the stem. There are many of these ribs, they are located at the same distance from each other, which makes the plant especially decorative. Disco cactus blooms exclusively in the dark. Several flowers can bloom on one cactus at once. They will all be painted white. The beauty of discocactus flowers is that they exude a very pleasant aroma.
In its natural environment, discocactus can be found in Bolivia. It is rare in cultivation and is a source of unconditional pride for flower growers and collectors.
Astrophytum
A bizarre cactus with amazing diversity of species. Its morphological feature is the presence of tiny white woolly hairs on the surface of the skin, which prevent the evaporation of water.
The plant blooms with large yellow flowers with a pubescent flower tube. Astrophytum needs bright light, does not require fertilization and is resistant to diseases and pests, which makes its cultivation quite easy.
You can read more about caring for astrophytum here.
Tiny Blossfeldia (Blossfeldia liliputana)
Blossfeldia is the tiniest of all the cacti listed on our list. This plant develops extremely slowly and never blooms before the third year of life. The flowers have a thin stalk, they are painted white and have a yellow core. In general, Blossfeldia practically does not look like a typical cactus; it looks much more like a green bun or roll. Apparently, this is why she was nicknamed the “deceiver cactus.”
Do cacti need replanting?
From time to time, flowers need replanting. Adults become cramped in pots, so larger containers should be selected for them. Adult specimens are usually replanted after 4-6 years; small cacti require replanting more often.
The procedure can be carried out in early spring before the cactus growth period. Approximately 3-4 days before the planned transplant, the succulent must stop watering. What to do to avoid injuring your hands during transplantation? Spiny specimens should be wrapped in thick cloth or thick gloves should be used.
Selenicereus
Selenicereus flowers look like water lilies. People call this cactus “the queen of the night.” The reason is that the flowering of Selenicereus is a spectacular phenomenon, and also because it occurs exclusively at night. A popular variety of this cactus, the “Fishbone” cactus, got its name because the stem of this cactus looks like a fish skeleton. In science, it is called Selenicereus Anthony, considered an absolute exotic and adored for its bright and colorful flowering, which, however, lasts only 12 hours.
Rest period
It must be said that for the flowering of all cacti, without exception, there is one firm, unshakable rule - any cactus must have a period of rest..
First of all, firmly remember that a cactus blooms in summer if in winter it interrupts its own growth and sleeps, that is, it is in conditions special for wintering. To meet these conditions, during the winter it is necessary to place them in a room in which the temperature is maintained no higher than +12 degrees, and stop watering.
This can be done in any room by separating the plants from the room and its warmth with cellophane, attaching its upper part to the window frame, and passing the lower part under the pots. Don’t forget that if you can’t maintain the temperature below +12 degrees, then moisten the cacti at least once a month. But the probability of flowering in this case is significantly reduced.
Wild blooming cacti
And for a snack, we have prepared for you three types of cacti, which, due to their size, are almost impossible to find in a cultural environment. The first two are exactly that. They grow and bloom exclusively in the wild. But this spectacle definitely needs to be seen at least once in your life!
Giant Cereus
Many giant cereus grow in the Californian and Arizona expanses. The minimum height of a giant is six meters, and the maximum is twenty. This beauty blooms exclusively in the wild and only at night. It usually blooms from late spring to early summer. The only pity is that the magnificent yellow-white buds continue to bloom for only 24 hours. But what a aroma they give off - you'll be pumped!
Giant carnegia
In the homeland of this cactus - in Arizona - it is called briefly: saguaro. The minimum height of this giant is fifteen meters. About two thousand liters of water can be stored inside the huge stem. For a long time, the Indians living in these territories dried saguaro stems and used them as building material. Just imagine how magnificent and majestic these giants look at sunset!
The flowers of the giant carnegia correspond to the size of the plant itself. One flower can contain up to three and a half thousand stamens. The diameter of the flowers is so large that birds often use them as a frame for their nests.
The saguaro is the pride of America. These plants are protected by law. Damaging even one such cactus can land you in prison for a quarter of a century.
Trichocereus
Trichocereus lives on the territory of the South American continent. The shape of this cactus resembles a curved candle covered with ribs. The height of this plant can reach twelve meters. The flowers that bloom on it are always snow-white, with several pale crimson petals and a greenish center.
Trichocereus blooms exclusively at night, spreading a delicate and very pleasant smell for kilometers around. Theoretically, it is possible to grow trichocereus at home. But firstly, rarely anyone undertakes this, since the cactus is quite demanding and capricious. And secondly, even for those who decide to undertake such a feat as growing trichocereus, this giant cactus does not bloom.
The period of budding of cacti
The period of budding of cacti
Now let's move on to when exactly you can find buds on different cacti. It should be noted that the time of appearance of buds on cacti largely depends on the duration of wintering and temperature conditions. During a fairly warm winter, buds form somewhat earlier, but there are much fewer of them. If the cactus buds are actively growing, it is better not to delay too much with the first watering: if they do not receive water on time, the buds may dry out during the growth stage. Developing cactus buds no longer need the “bloom hormone”, they now need nutrition! Therefore, the warm wintering has to be shortened by starting watering earlier, and as a result, the flowering of cacti occurs earlier, but at the same time it is not as abundant and long-lasting as during a cold wintering.
And one more feature: in the first year of flowering, young cacti often begin budding and flowering not when they are supposed to, but as soon as they are ready for it. Therefore, in subsequent seasons, the flowering dates of cacti may shift in one direction or another (and sometimes even to a different time of year).
Since the main part of my collection winters at fairly low temperatures from November to March inclusive, the indicated budding dates are tied precisely to such conditions. Let's start in December, when all forms and varieties of Mammillaria carmenae and closely related species release colorful buds in unison to open the corollas of their flowers in February. Then, having rested a little in the spring, these cacti continue to bloom almost in the summer, producing a new batch of buds in April.
From January to March, mammillaria that bloom in early spring (such as M.lasiacantha, M.pennispinosa) begin to bud.
In January-February, buds appear on many rebutia proper, on some Echinocereus. In March, bud formation continues in mammillaria and Echinocereus, and Echinopsis joins them.
The most “fruitful” month for buds is April, when Ailostera, Gymnocalycium, Crayncia, Mediolobivia, Neobessia, Notocactus, and Sulcorebutia are already budding. And those specimens that formed buds earlier already open their flowers with the start of watering.
In May, a collection of medium-sized cacti looks like a luxurious flower garden. Most cacti begin to bloom in the spring, and it is in May that the bulk of our prickly favorites bloom at the same time. In summer, buds continue to appear - by that time only the cacti, opening flowers in the first spring days, have faded; the rest continue the parade of colors and aromas.
Budding in cacti does not stop even with the end of summer. In September we again see buds on the ubiquitous mammillaria: M.hernandezii, M.plumosa, M.solisioides, M.schiedeana, which will delight us with flower corollas almost until the New Year. And then everything starts all over again!
So, we found out that in a large collection of cacti, consisting of representatives of different genera and species, budding does not stop throughout the year, including during wintering. The same can be said about the specialized collection, which more or less fully reflects the huge, diverse genus Mammillaria (including cacti that bloom both in spring-summer and autumn-winter). So, you should not ignore mammillaria just because the most common of them are considered low-prestige small-flowered plants. Both the stems and flowers of a fair number of species of this genus can decorate any collection, including those consisting exclusively of “difficult” cacti (there are such problems with mammillaria - you wouldn’t wish it on your enemy!) In addition, collectors periodically find new species and varieties, many of which are more than worthy of entering the “fastidious elite” of cactus society, so mammillaria are also promising for lovers of new items and rarities.
