植物经验
详细说明
Astrophytum is a genus of four North American cacti, all of which are found in Mexico and some of which appear in the United States as well. Known for their beauty, these are quite popular among domestic cacti for their flowering habit; their flowers are usually yellow or white. Astrophytums grow solitary bodies, but some species will become short columnar later in life if properly maintained. Some also have distinctive white flecks on their bodies.
How to Grow and Care
Astrophytums are not vigorous plants and they require a lot of patience to reach their full potential. Keep regularly watering and feeding them during the growing season and repot annually to give them space to develop. They need a temperate, dry winter as well, and make sure not to overwater them to avoid rotting their roots. If given sufficient care, they will develop marvelous flowers once they reach maturity. Watch out for common cactus pests like aphids and scale, as well—these can often be taken care of by a good eco-friendly pesticide, or simply wiped away with cloth.
Repot regularly to help them develop. Astrophytums should be repotted at the beginning of the growing season for best results, allowing them to grow into the impressive specimens for which the genus is known. Protect your hands before repotting due to their stiff spikes and lift the plant out all at once, then replace in a larger pot and backfill with soil. Don’t overwater or overfeed newly repotted cacti, as disturbances can be hard on them
Growing Conditions
Light: Very sunny conditions, with hours of direct sunlight every day.
Water: Astrophytums like dry conditions, with sporadic watering in the summer and then a dry winter. During the growing season, water infrequently.
Temperature: They like hot temperatures above 70˚F (21˚C) during the summer and then prefer cooler, more temperate winters.
Soil: Typical cactus potting soil should be fine, ideally one containing some loam or peat.
Fertilizer: Fertilize during the growing season with a balanced, diluted fertilizer like a 20-20-20 mixed into their water.
How to Grow and Care
Astrophytums are not vigorous plants and they require a lot of patience to reach their full potential. Keep regularly watering and feeding them during the growing season and repot annually to give them space to develop. They need a temperate, dry winter as well, and make sure not to overwater them to avoid rotting their roots. If given sufficient care, they will develop marvelous flowers once they reach maturity. Watch out for common cactus pests like aphids and scale, as well—these can often be taken care of by a good eco-friendly pesticide, or simply wiped away with cloth.
Repot regularly to help them develop. Astrophytums should be repotted at the beginning of the growing season for best results, allowing them to grow into the impressive specimens for which the genus is known. Protect your hands before repotting due to their stiff spikes and lift the plant out all at once, then replace in a larger pot and backfill with soil. Don’t overwater or overfeed newly repotted cacti, as disturbances can be hard on them
Growing Conditions
Light: Very sunny conditions, with hours of direct sunlight every day.
Water: Astrophytums like dry conditions, with sporadic watering in the summer and then a dry winter. During the growing season, water infrequently.
Temperature: They like hot temperatures above 70˚F (21˚C) during the summer and then prefer cooler, more temperate winters.
Soil: Typical cactus potting soil should be fine, ideally one containing some loam or peat.
Fertilizer: Fertilize during the growing season with a balanced, diluted fertilizer like a 20-20-20 mixed into their water.
花相册 (2)
kensong
2018年09月11日
These are so tiny. I wonder how long it'll take them to mature.
kensong
2018年09月08日
This is my first growing diary. From Angella Succulents RM10.