A bed with colorfully blooming cacti does not have to remain a dream. There are definitely hardy species that cause a sensation in the garden all year round. In order for the exotic, thorny beauties to feel at home, important aspects must be considered when planting. Use our tips to successfully create your own cactus bed in the garden.
Some types of cacti also thrive in German gardens
Tips for site selection and tillage
The vast majority of hardy cacti are found high up in the Andes and North American mountains. Shade and nutrient-rich soil are scarce there. Therefore, coordinate the choice of location with the natural framework conditions. How to do it right:
- A sunny, rain-protected location
- Sandy-loamy to sandy-gravelly soil
- Fresh to moderately dry, without waterlogging
Conventional garden soil contains too many nutrients for undemanding cacti. Targeted tillage optimizes the site quality for the requirements of the succulents. To do this, dig out the bed about 30 cm deep. Spread a layer of grit or gravel on the bottom for drainage. Fill in the excavated material again after you have enriched it with lime-free quartz sand (€15.85) or perlite (€37.51).
Plant cacti in the garden - this is how it works
The ideal time window for planting outdoor cacti is from mid-May to the end of June/beginning of July. Please carry out the soil preparation 14 days before the planned planting date so that the soil can settle. How to proceed:
- Dig a planting hole for each cactus with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball
- Put on thorn-resistant gloves
- Unpot the plant and place it in the middle of the pit as deep as before in the pot
- Press the substrate down with your hands for a good ground contact
- Finally, spread out a 3-5 cm thick layer of gravel, grit or lava granules (€13.99).
Match the planting distance to the respective cacti species. For popular outdoor cacti, such as opuntias, a distance of 30 to 40 cm between the plants has proven to be good.
tips
Your frost-sensitive cacti prefer to spend the warm summer time in the garden or on the balcony. From mid-May to mid/end of September, your summer visitors can enjoy the sun's rays in a rain-protected location. Numerous species put on their flowers during this time to attract everyone's attention.