- How do you water Gymnocalycium correctly?
- Do you need to fertilize the desert cactus?
- When is it time to repot?
- Is Gymnocalycium cut?
- What diseases and pests do you need to watch out for?
- How do you care for Gymnocalycium in winter?
Gymnocalycium is the botanical name of various desert cactus species. He remains very small even in old age. The flowers are completely hairless. Gymnocalycium is cultivated not only because of the flowers, but also because of the often very decorative thorns. Tips for care.
The Gymnocalycium is poured from below
How do you water Gymnocalycium correctly?
During the growth phase, the root ball should never dry out completely. However, waterlogging must be avoided at all costs.
Since Gymnocalycium does not tolerate water well on the shoots, water it from below. Place it in a saucer into which you pour lime-free water. Drain off any liquid that has not been absorbed by the substrate within ten minutes.
Do you need to fertilize the desert cactus?
It is sufficient if you fertilize the cactus every 14 days from April to August with a little liquid fertilizer with a high potash content.
When is it time to repot?
- Repot in spring
- pot cactus
- shake off old substrate
- fill old or new pot with fresh substrate
As soon as the pot is fully rooted, the Gymnocalycium needs a new container. In the spring, check if the cactus still has enough space. Shake off the old substrate and replace it with fresh one.
After repotting, you must not fertilize the cactus for several months.
Is Gymnocalycium cut?
The cactus itself is not cut. However, you can remove dried shoots.
If side shoots form, you can cut them to grow new cacti.
What diseases and pests do you need to watch out for?
If waterlogged, the Gymnocalycium suffers from root rot and dies. Spots on the shoots appear either because the cactus was watered from above or due to fungal attack.
As with all cacti, mealybugs and mealybugs are more common. They can be recognized by small webs and a sticky coating.
How do you care for Gymnocalycium in winter?
Gymnocalycium is not hardy. In winter, however, the cactus needs a phase in which it is kept cooler. Temperatures around eight degrees are ideal. The winter location must be very bright, preferably sunny.
In winter you can do without watering completely. If necessary, you should administer a few drops of water at longer intervals.
tips
The variety Gymnocalycium mihanovichii is also called strawberry cactus. This type of cactus is grafted onto other types of cacti as it does not develop chlorophyll and is therefore not viable on its own. It owes its trivial name to its red color.