- How do you water Melocactus correctly?
- What should be considered when fertilizing?
- When is the Melocactus repotted?
- What diseases and pests can occur?
- How do you care for the Melocactus in winter?
The melocactus or melon cactus is rightly called the diva among cacti. The care is not easy and therefore not recommended for beginners, since the cactus does not forgive even small care mistakes. How do you care for a Melocactus?
The Melocactus should not be watered too much
How do you water Melocactus correctly?
- Water sparingly in summer
- prefer to spray occasionally
- use lime-free water
- Absolutely avoid waterlogging
- do not water in winter
The Melocactus gets by with very little water. Water occasionally during the growing season. If the location is not too warm, it is even sufficient if you spray it with water from time to time.
In winter you don't have to water the Melocactus at all if you keep it in a cool place.
Only use low-lime water, preferably rainwater, for watering.
What should be considered when fertilizing?
As with most cacti species, a monthly or even bi-monthly fertilization is quite sufficient. A liquid fertilizer for cacti or a fertilizer for green plants is used. However, this should only be half dosed.
Fertilize during the growth phase, which lasts from April to September.
When is the Melocactus repotted?
Check in spring whether the Melocactus still has enough space in the pot. Shake off the old substrate and fill the pot with fresh soil.
Mineral cactus soil is suitable as a substrate, which you can loosen up with some clay granules.
After repotting, you must not fertilize the Melocactus.
What diseases and pests can occur?
Waterlogging can lead to root rot. Therefore, do not keep the Melocactus too wet. If spots or blisters appear, the cactus is likely suffering from a fungal infection. This is difficult to treat, so you will likely need to discard the plant.
Watch out for pests like mealybugs and mealybugs.
How do you care for the Melocactus in winter?
The Melocactus is not hardy, but needs to be overwintered in a cooler place. Only then can it develop flowers. While it tolerates temperatures above 20 degrees well in summer, it should be kept at around 15 degrees in winter.
Fertilization and watering is not done in winter.
tips
It can take six to eight years for the first flowering. Then a so-called cephalium, which consists of wool hair and bristles, forms on the tip. The flowers then grow out of this cephalium.