Cactus species primarily thrive in regions characterized by nutrient diaspora. This does not mean that the flower beauties with the dress of thorns can do without fertilizer. Read here when and how to fertilize a cactus in a balanced way.
Cacti are only fertilized with special cactus fertilizer
Tips for the right cactus fertilizer
Cacti inhabit deserts, steppes and similar regions where nutrients are scarce. Cultivated in a pot with a limited substrate volume, the survivors are still dependent on the supplementary supply of the main nutrients. The composition of conventional flower fertilizers (1.95€) is not suitable for the needs. The amount of nitrogen it contains is so high that it causes masty, misshapen and unhealthy growth.
The ideal cactus fertilizer combines nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in a balanced ratio. Special liquid fertilizers are available in specialist shops that are tailored to the special requirements of cacti. We looked around and put together the following 3 most popular products for you:
- Compo cactus fertilizer (NPK 5+5+7 as well as boron, iron, manganese)
- Neudorff Trissol cactus fertilizer (NPK 3+1+5 as well as trace nutrients and vitamins)
- Uhlig cactus fertilizer (NPK 1.5+2.3+5) also as a set with supplementary fertilizer
How to fertilize cacti in a species-appropriate manner
The nutrient supply is ideally adapted to the specific vegetation cycle of cacti. After a summer growth phase, the desert dwellers take a winter break. How to do it right:
- Add a liquid cactus fertilizer to the irrigation water from May to September
- Moisten the dried-out substrate before and after with clear, lime-free water
- Do not fertilize cacti in direct sunlight
Please match the dosage exactly to the fertilizer manufacturer's instructions. As a rule, it is sufficient if you add 1 gram of liquid fertilizer to 1 liter of irrigation water. If you want to start this year's nutrient supply as precisely as possible, choose a date 4 to 6 weeks after you have ended the winter break with the first watering.
tips
If you have repotted your cactus in the spring, the fresh soil will have sufficient stores of nutrients. Only when these are used up after about 6 weeks does the normal fertilization rhythm start again.