Quck answer
To make a cactus grow faster, follow these steps:
1. Choose the right pot: Use a pot with good drainage to prevent waterlogged roots.
2. Provide adequate sunlight: Cacti need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Place them near a sunny window or outdoors.
3. Water properly: Water your cactus only when the soil is completely dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
4. Use well-draining soil: Use a cactus-specific soil mix or add sand and perlite to improve drainage.
5. Fertilize sparingly: Use a balanced fertilizer specifically designed for cacti. Apply it once or twice a year during the growing season.
6. Avoid excessive temperature changes: Cacti prefer consistent temperatures. Avoid placing them near drafts or vents.
By following these tips, you can help your cactus grow faster and healthier.
Cacti, which belong to the Cactaceae family, exhibit a variety of growth patterns, ranging from slow to fast. In order to expedite cactus growth, it is necessary to create an optimal growth environment by providing suitable soil, light, temperature, water, and fertilizer. If growth starts to slow down, consider transplanting the cactus into a larger container. With over 1,750 species that flourish in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 12 (based on the species and cultivars), there is a cactus suitable for any home or garden, regardless of whether you reside in a desert or tropical region.
Select Well-Draining Soil
The cactus family is primarily native to the Americas, with a few species found in Africa, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka. Regardless of whether it is a desert or tropical species, your cactus needs to be planted in a well-draining area in your garden or in a potting mix designed for cacti and succulents, which drains quickly, when planted in a container.
If you prefer to create your own potting soil, mix one part perlite or pumice with two parts coarse sand and three parts all-purpose potting soil or compost. This will result in a loose, quick-draining mixture for desert cacti and other succulents. Tropical cacti, such as the holiday cactus (Schlumbergera spp.) and mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera), which are hardy in USDA zones 9 or 10 through 12, prefer a higher proportion of organic matter around their roots, such as equal parts peat moss or coconut coir, compost, and coarse sand or perlite.
Maintain Warmth and Brightness
While the brittle prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia fragilis), which is hardy in USDA zones 3 or 4 through 10, can withstand extreme temperatures, most cacti thrive in warmer conditions. Each species has its own specific temperature range, but as a general rule, keep your desert cactus between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit in winter. During the summer, maintain temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees during the day, and reduce them to the 60s at night.
Tropical cacti prefer temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees from late spring to early fall, and between 60 and 68 degrees in the fall. To promote holiday blooming, you can allow temperatures to drop to 50 to 59 degrees at night, but the colder temperatures will also slow down the growth of the cactus’s stem segments.
Adjust the light levels based on the original habitat of your cactus. Desert species usually require direct sunlight to encourage rapid growth, while tropical cacti thrive in bright, filtered light. Both types of cacti enjoy spending the summer outdoors; place the cactus in a location with light or dappled shade, and then move the desert species into direct sunlight after it has become acclimated to the brighter outdoor light.
Provide Water and Fertilizer
To accelerate the growth of your desert cactus, water it when the soil is dry. Soak the potting mix until water drains out from the bottom of the pot. Allow it to drain completely, and then let the soil dry before watering again.
Tropical cacti should never be allowed to completely dry out. Wait until the soil is dry to the touch before watering. Regardless of whether it is a desert or tropical cactus, never let your cactus sit in water. Immediately remove any excess water from the saucer under the pot.
Fertilize your cactus with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cacti and succulents when the plant is actively growing, which typically occurs from late winter to summer. Alternatively, fertilize a tropical cactus once a month with a 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. When temperatures start to cool down and growth slows, cease fertilization.
Repotting When Growth Slows
When the growth of a cactus plant starts to slow down, it might be necessary to repot it. Ensure your safety by wearing protective gear such as safety glasses, thornproof gloves, and a dust mask. To avoid getting pricked by the spines, wrap the cactus with multiple layers of newspaper before carefully removing it from the current pot.
Inspect the root ball and use sterilized scissors or pruners dipped in rubbing alcohol to trim any damaged or rotting roots. Untangle any roots that are wrapped around the root ball and trim them if necessary. Apply a fungicide to the roots and then replant the cactus in fresh cactus potting mix. It is important to wait for a week before watering the cactus as the root ends need time to heal before being exposed to moisture and potential pathogens in the soil.
