Why does the cactus rot? What should I do if the cactus roots are rotten so that they can take root?

Cactus and cactus are plants that originally grew in desert areas, so they are very drought-resistant and do not need to be watered every day to prevent them from drying out. They are also the first choice for many home plants. But there are certainly many people who plant cacti that eventually rot and die. Why is this?

Why do cacti rot?

Summer is the growing season for cacti, with high temperatures and high water requirements. However, some flower lovers often fail to ventilate in time after watering, resulting in water accumulation, which makes it difficult for the roots to breathe and causes root rot.

Some people don't pay attention and don't know much about the types of cacti with sunken tops. They often water from top to bottom, causing water to accumulate in the sunken areas and cause rot. Therefore, be careful not to pour water into the sunken areas to avoid rot.

In addition, watering should be done in the morning and evening when the temperature is low in summer. It is hot at noon and watering can easily cause burns to the ball. Watering should be done at noon in winter to avoid alternating hot and cold weather, which will cause discomfort and cause the cactus to rot.

The above reasons are all caused by watering problems. Of course, there are other factors, but in terms of probability, most of them are caused by watering.

If you want the cactus to not rot, you must ensure good soil that is breathable and can absorb moisture. We can directly use granular soil to cultivate it and replenish nutrients regularly. As long as the soil has good air permeability and is placed in a place with sufficient light and ventilation, the possibility of rotting is almost zero.

What to do if the cactus root is rotten so that it can take root

1. Pruning

If you find that the cactus has rotten roots, take it out of the pot and cut off the rotten part with a sterilized sharp knife. Be sure to cut it cleanly and cut off all the yellow parts. If you don't cut it cleanly, the flesh that has been infected by bacteria will rot again after replanting.

2. Dry the wound

Don't plant the cactus right away after cutting off the rotten part. Let it dry in a cool and ventilated place for two to three days. This process may cause the cactus to lose water and become soft, but it doesn't matter. It's very strong anyway, and it will be good again after planting. If you think it takes too long to dry the wound, you can sprinkle wood ash on the wound after cutting off the rotten part and let it dry for a few more hours.

3. Planting

After the wound is dried, the cactus can be replanted. Do not use the original potting soil, and the flowerpot should be disinfected. Do not plant too deep when planting, plant shallowly. If you have coarse river sand at home, you can spread a thin layer of coarse river sand on the prepared soil, and then plant the cactus on the river sand. After planting, just use a spray bottle to wet the river sand, and the rooting will be faster.

4. Maintenance

Place the planted cactus in a cool and ventilated place for maintenance. Avoid strong sunlight and do not flood it with water. Just keep the surface of the pot soil moist. After three weeks to a month of quiet maintenance, the cactus will grow white roots, and then maintain it normally. How to judge whether the cactus has grown roots? Pinch the cactus. If it was soft at first, it gradually becomes hard and the color becomes emerald green, which means it has taken root and started to grow.

How to increase the growth rate of cactus

The original environment of cactus, that is, the desert area is relatively barren. It requires sufficient light, loose and breathable soil, and fertilization during the growth period of cactus can keep up with the nutrients needed for the growth of cactus, so the cactus grows rapidly.

In addition to proper shade in summer, the cactus should be given enough sunlight in other seasons. Once the light is insufficient, it will cause the cactus to grow out of shape.

It is well known that cactus is more tolerant of drought. Even if it is not watered for a year, it will not die, but the sphere is thin and small, and it will continue to grow after watering, so the cactus is a typical lazy potted plant, but during the growth period, it cannot lack water. By watering and drying, the sphere can grow faster.

Cactus is relatively resistant to barrenness, but it does not mean that it does not like water and fertilizer. Organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer mainly containing nitrogen fertilizer should be applied once a month to accumulate a variety of nutrients in the cactus and produce beautiful flowers.