Cactus,also known as cacti,are desert plants. Cactaceae is the name of the plant family to which the cactus belongs. They stay alive through their ability to store water.
It is green in color and is covered with sharp spines all over the body. There are more than 1800 species and over 127 genera from the cactus family.
But many other cactus characteristics are worth knowing.
here is the short answer Is cactus a tree or plant?
No, the cactus is not a tree. They are flowering plants because they do not have the woody stems that trees generally have. Instead, cacti have spines, not leaves like trees. Also,the cactus is too small compared to trees. Sometimes cactus can grow up to the height of a tree, but they are succulent, making them different from trees.
What kind of plant is cactus?
Cactus are succulent plants that grow in dry areas. They have a circular cone shape. With areoles, small cushion-like structures with trichomes from other succulent plants cacti can be different. In summer and spring, cactus need more water than in other seasons because it’s their heavy growing season.
Depending on the cactus species, its life circle varies from 15 to 300 years. Although being just a few inches on the ground, the cactus roots can reach up to 7feet in diameter. They love the sun, and too much water can cause them to rot.
How to cultivate cactus?
You know you can cultivate cactus both inside and outside. Caring for a cactus is not tricky.
The main element for cultivating cactus is full sunlight.During late spring through summer is the best time to cultivate cactus. Cactus will rarely need repotting as they are slow-growing plants. However, when they need fresh soil,they should be repotted.
When they are slightly under potted, many cactus will bloom better. To loosen the root, remove the cactus from the current pot.
Usually, for outdoor growing, you need to water your cactus two or three times a week, but in winter, if the weather is gloomy, you don’t need to water your plants, and for indoor growing,two times a week will be enough and in winter once a week will be enough. But after the peak season, watering should be careful.
Fertilizers are one of the most important things. Too much water can make them rotted, and this can be stopped by cutting away some of the rotted portions. Bugs, mites, and aphids can also make it difficult for the cactus to grow.
Is cultivating cactus profitable?
Of course, it is profitable. Isn’t it incredible that you are growing a plant for your hobby and being profitable at the same time.
You can make money from cactus. You can use it for decoration. You can start this business with a small amount of money. You don’t have to give your whole timecultivating cactus; you can do it as part-time work as it requires a bit of effort from you.
Spines of the cactus are used to make needles, combs, and hooks. Nowadays, cactus is used to make leather without killing the plant that can be harvested.Most importantly, apart from money and cultivating cactus, you can also grow other plants, which will benefit you with fresh oxygen and a fresh mind and health.
What cactus are edible?
Are you feeling hungry? You can eat your own grown cactus. Edible cactus is known as opuntia or pickle pear. Water stored by the cactus is also edible,and it has a higher density than tap water. Not all cactus are edible; for example, Bolivian, San Pedro, and Peyote cactus should not be eaten as they are toxic.In addition, animals can not eat cactus as they have sharp spines.
Conclusion
Cactus grows in deserts that do not have favorable growing conditions. So, we can learn from cactus plants how to live and survive in unfavorable conditions. Likewise, cactus also teaches us how to adapt to the environment around us.
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