- How is the strawberry cactus watered correctly?
- Do you need to fertilize a strawberry cactus?
- When is the strawberry cactus repotted?
- Are there any diseases or pests you need to watch out for?
- How do you care for the strawberry cactus in winter?
You don't need the famous "green thumb" if you want to care for a strawberry cactus. As with almost all cacti, you can hardly go wrong when caring for the strawberry cactus. Small instructions for the care of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii.
Like most cacti, the strawberry cactus is easy to care for
How is the strawberry cactus watered correctly?
The strawberry cactus stores water in its body. Even if you don't water it for a long time, it will survive in most cases. Nevertheless, you should water it occasionally during the growth phase, but only after the substrate has already dried out on top.
Do you need to fertilize a strawberry cactus?
The strawberry cactus does not need many nutrients. If you have just repotted it, you must not fertilize it under any circumstances. The substrate is then so rich in nutrients that there is a risk of over-fertilization. The cactus will then soften and rot.
If it stays in the same soil for a long time, give it some cactus fertilizer from April to September. It is sufficient if you fertilize it once a month.
When is the strawberry cactus repotted?
It's time to repot when roots grow out of the drainage hole below.
- Take the strawberry cactus out of the pot
- fill new pot with substrate
- Insert cactus
- Press the substrate carefully
- don't water too much
Normal cactus soil is sufficient as a substrate. You can also put it together yourself using two parts of potting soil and one part of sand.
Since the strawberry cactus has quite a few prickles, wrap it in a terry cloth washcloth or towel. Then you can not hurt yourself on the thorns.
Are there any diseases or pests you need to watch out for?
Like all cacti, the strawberry cactus is very resistant to diseases and pests.
If the cactus is rotting, you have overwatered it.
How do you care for the strawberry cactus in winter?
The strawberry cactus does not tolerate cold. It is therefore cared for in the room all year round. In winter, reduce the amount of water a little. Fertilizer is not used during the winter time.
Make sure that the temperatures at the location do not drop below 15 degrees.
tips
The strawberry cactus owes its name to the grafted top, which is very often red. This variety is not a cactus, but a species composed of two different species.