How to Grow Cacti
 Contents | The List of the Flowers |
Data / Charm of Cacti /
Seeding /
Location / Watering / Fertilizer / During the Growth Period / Medical Effect / Wild Cacti
Data
Family: Cactaceae
Type: Seeds
Seeding season: Anytime (however warm season such as spring or autumn is better)
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Charm of Cacti
They are famous for Western movies, but actually, the number and the size of them may surprise you if you go to the desert in America. 
By the way, though it is said that cacti are easy to care, it is only true if you buy already planted ones. It is considerably difficult to care if you start from the seeds. Grow them patiently, though it is hard to expect how long it takes for them to have flowers.
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Seeding
You can start seeding anytime.
Though it is said that sandy soil is better, general potting soil also works (and it could be better if you tend to forget watering).
After seeding, cover the container with kitchen wrap to prevent from drying until the seeds germinate, and locate the container at the dark place. Though the germination period differs depending on the breedings, they germinate in 1 to 3 weeks in general.
Remove the wrap after germination, and move the container to near the sunny window.
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Location
Though you may think cacti like sunlight because they grow in the desert, however they get sunburn and shrink if they are exposed to the direct sun when they are younger than 1 year old.
Keep them indoor with indirect sun during the first year, and then, locate them under the direct sun on the second year or later.
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Watering
Because cacti like dry climate, keep the soil not too moist in general. However, in spring and autumn, when the cacti grow, water throughly if the surface of the soil is dry.
On the other hand, you do not have to water very often in summer and winter because they stop growing. Watering too much in summer will kill their root.
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Fertilizer
It is recommended to give them the special fertilizer for cactus once in a while.
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During the Growth Period
Patience may be required because cacti grow so slowly. Transplant them to the bigger container every other year, depending on their growth.
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Medical Effect
Caution: It is not recommended to make medicines because it is risky to intake plants without professional knowledge.
See the details atRisk of the Plants and Aromatic Effect.
Medical Parts: Fruit, juice
Indication: Anti-bacterial and sedative. Helps near-sightedness (depends of the spieces).
As indian folk medicines, cacti has been used to treat injuries as anti-bacterials or analgesics, influenza, arthritis, diabetes and so on.
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