Cactus
Cactaceae
Mostly Native to the Southwestern United States and Mexico as well as to arid parts of South America. It's leaves have been modified by evolution into spines, reducing their evapotranspiration rate (water loss). Most cacti are covered with a waxy epidermis which also reduces water loss. They are easy to care for and grow in the home as long as you do not water them too much.
Moisture - Allow the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings and withhold water in the winter to allow a cooling dormant period. High humidity can cause problems ranging from leaf scarring to rot so make sure to keep them dry and maintain good air circulation
Light - the highest light possible.... direct sun is good for most cacti
Temperature - cool to hot temps are fine for most types. most will do best if kept in bright light in the summer and in winter... for those cacti that are grown for its flowers... a cool winter period is necessary to foce them into bloom
Fertilize - 3 times in summer only using 10-10-10 solution
Pests - root mealybugs are the most troublesome... root rots and crown rots can be a problem if the plant is kept too moist... keep an eye out for scales also
Repotting - use a cactus mix and only repot when the roots seem to be pushing out of the pot or the stems reach the sides of the pot.... use a piece of thick carpet or cloth or a newspaper to wrap around spiny cacti when repotting
Propagation - seed, stem cuttings, offsets
Tips - seldom prune.... segmented ones such as bunny ears can be separated for propagation
Barrell Cactus - (Echinocactus grusonii) - Barrell cacti literally look like little barrels with prominent ribs that are covered with golden spines... slow growing and tolerant of a broad range of conditions... it has yellow bell shaped flowers on top of the cactus during the summer
Rattail Cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis) - They have long (up to 6 feet) round stems covered with delicate spines... usually grown for its pink flowers tha may last up to 2 months and bloom along the length of the stems... best displayed in a hanging basket
Old Man Cactus - (Cephalocereus senilis) - it is covered with long white hairs making it look like an old man that hasn't had a hair cut.... under the hairs are small sharp spines... grows slowly and it has nocturnal flowers but they seldom appear on plants grown indoors
Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria) - Possibly the most common cactus for growing indoors. they have a wide range of colors and textures... remains small but may take the form of a single little ball or many balls in clumps... it will flower indoors... they appear on the top of the cacti.... it is covered with delicate spines with hooked ends that don't pull out of the skin very easily
Bunny Ears, Prickly Pear (Opuntia microdasys) - Bunny ears are some of the most common cactus and will grow outdoors in much of the United States... They have broad pads and are patterned with small, velvety looking glochids (a type of spine) that stick in the skin or clothes... very low maintenance and once established they need very little attention... they will not usually bloom when grown indoors