Unpretentious guest from South America - houseplant Gymnocalycium Saglionis
Indoor plant Gymnocalicium Salona is a type of cactus that has become widespread among flower growers due to various colors, as well as the ability to grow several types of plants at once in one pot.
Caring for a flower is uncomplicated, and diseases and pests rarely infect it. In the article, we will consider in detail how to care for a plant so that it will please you for a long time.
We learn how to transplant, as well as how to propagate by seeds and layering.
Botanical Description
Gymnocalycium of the Salon (Gymnocalycium saglionis) also referred to as Gymnocalycium saglionis belongs to the cactus family. The shape of a cactus is in the form of a ball, and it grows in South America. The name of the flower was obtained from two words: "gymnos" - naked and "calycium" - a cup. The fact is that there are no bristles or hairs on the surface of the flower tubes, while they are covered with smooth, dense scales.
The stem is ploskosharovidny, flowers are in the upper part of the cactus. They have elongated flower tubes. The plant differs from other species by long flowering, and flowers form on the plant 2-3 years old. Cactus blooms in spring, and this period is pumped in the second half of autumn. The color of flowers can be very different: yellow, red, pink.
Care
Illumination
Gymnocalycium is actively growing and developing in good light. In summer, it should be bright, as in winter.
If you place the cactus on the windowsill of the southern direction, then on a sultry summer day you have to shade it with the help of a curtain.Temperature mode
In spring and summer, the flower must be provided with a moderate temperature. With the onset of winter, lower the temperature indicators to 15-18 degrees. The gymnocalycium of the Salon will feel fine even when the air temperature drops by 5 degrees.
Humidity
The cactus feels great with a moisture content of 60-70%. But spraying the plant is not recommended, because even with low humidity, the flower will still grow and develop.
Watering
In late spring and until the very end of summer, watering should be moderate, so it is worthwhile to moisten the earth as the top layer of the soil dries. Use for this settled warm water. Since the end of summer, watering is slowly reduced, and from mid-October moisturize rarely and little by little.
Top dressing
Fertilizers must be applied in spring and summer once every 2-3 weeks. Use for these purposes fertilizers designed for cacti.
Earth mixture
For Gymnocalycium Salion suitable soil that does not contain lime, but is slightly acidic.
To prepare nutritious soil, you need to mix in equal proportions such components:
- peat;
- humus;
- sand;
- sheet earth.
It is also advisable to add brick chips and charcoal.
Transplant Features
Young plants need to be replanted every year, and adults - every 2-3 years.Carry out work in the spring. Procedure:
- Prepare a pot slightly larger than the previous one.
- Carefully remove the plant, and transplant into a new substrate.
- Pour a little warm water and leave for 2-3 weeks without moisture.
Pruning
If the plant does not bloom for a long time or is too tall, then it can be cut as follows:
- Prepare a clean and sanitized sharp knife.
- Cut the upper part of the flower with a tool.
- The cut off parts can be dried and then installed in a nutrient substrate, in which they let the roots.
- The parent plant will continue to grow and grow after pruning.
Wintering
In winter, you need to keep the flower at a temperature of + 10, + 15 degrees. Watering a cactus is rare - 1 time in 3 weeks, dressing should not be done. The only thing to take care of is the additional lighting, since the duration of daylight should be 12 hours.
Propagation by seeds and layering
The plant propagates by seeds and lateral layering.
Side layering
This method of reproduction has the following features:
- Separate layers that do not have their own roots. To do this, carefully rotate it with tweezers to separate it from the mother plant.
- Leave the plant for 24-38 hours in the open air so that it dries.
- Put the specimen on the surface of moistened soil and sprinkle lightly with earth.
The main advantage of this method is quick rooting. In addition, this procedure can be carried out in the process of transplantation.
Seeds
The advantage of this method is that the plants from the seeds are stronger, healthier and better.
The downside is that a new cactus rarely conveys all varietal characters.The procedure is as follows:
- For sowing, use the same soil mixture as for transplanting, only it should be finer-grained.
- It is advisable to calcinate the planting material in the oven to disinfect it.
- Sow the seeds in small containers, while not deepening too much in the ground.
- The soil should be moist, so cover the seedlings with plastic wrap.
- Water dried up soil by spraying or through a pallet.
Young plants grow quickly, and after 12 months they can be planted in separate pots.
Disease
The hymnocalicium of the Salon is rarely ill, but in the absence of proper care, a number of problems can arise. When water stagnates in the soil, the root system begins to rot, which entails the death of a cactus. To save the plant, you need to remove it from the soil, thoroughly rinse the root system. Trim the rotten roots, and dry the plant itself, only then install on the surface of a new soil mixture for rooting.
Similar flowers
Externally, the following plant species are similar to hymnocalycium sallo:
- Austrocylindropuntia. This plant is native to South America. It has a stem without ribs with numerous lateral processes. His flowers are yellow, orange or red, and their diameter is 4 cm.
- Cereus. This type of cactus also has a spherical stem and central flowers of white color.
- A parody of small seeds. The stem is also spherical in shape, the flowers are central red or orange.
- Ferocactus is hairy. Has red spikes with numerous sharp spikes. The flowers are in the center, and their color is red and yellow.
- Lofora Williams. This is a blooming cactus without thorns. It has a spherical blue stem, and in the center are small pink flowers.
The gymnocalycium of the Salon is an interesting type of cactus, which pleases with its bright and long flowering, as well as ease of care. The plant is rarely sick and is not subjected to pest attacks, and compliance with all agricultural standards will allow you to admire the beauty of the flower for a long time.