Cactus, the iconic plant of the desert, always has a special attraction for those who love bonsai. In order for cacti to grow healthily, in addition to light and water, choosing the right substrate is also extremely important. So how to choose the most suitable substrate for your "green friend"? Let's find out now!
See also: Popular types of landscape cacti
Why is the growing medium important for cacti?
The growing medium is not only a place for the plant to stand but also provides nutrients, water and air for the roots. For cacti, a drought-loving plant, the growing medium needs to ensure the following factors:
- Excellent drainage: Cactus roots are very sensitive to waterlogging. Therefore, the growing medium must ensure quick drainage to avoid water stagnation.
- High porosity: Loose substrate helps roots grow easily, increasing the ability to absorb water and nutrients.
- Moderate moisture: Although they prefer dry conditions, cacti still need a certain amount of water, especially on hot days. The growing medium needs to be able to retain enough moisture to provide water for the plant.
- Suitable pH: Most cacti grow well in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5 to 7.5).
Below are the common types of growing media for cacti and their advantages.
Coir
- Advantage: Retains moisture well, rich in organic matter, creates porosity, and provides a small amount of nutrients.
- Application: Often mixed with other substrates to create the necessary humidity for the plant, especially suitable for cacti with high water needs.
Perlite
- Advantage: Excellent drainage, allowing air to circulate easily, facilitating root respiration, and has the ability to retain light moisture.
- Application: Often mixed with other substrates to increase drainage, suitable for most cacti.
Vermiculite
- Advantage: Retains moisture better than perlite, provides essential minerals for plants, has a layered structure, helps keep plant roots stable.
- Application: Often mixed with other substrates to create moisture and provide nutrients for plants, especially suitable for cacti with shallow roots.
Pumice
- Advantage: Excellent drainage, high porosity, helps roots grow strongly, does not contain organic matter so is less susceptible to fungus and disease.
- Application: Often used as a pot bottom layer or mixed with other substrates to increase drainage, suitable for drought-loving cacti.
Terracotta
- Advantage: Has good water retention capacity, helps maintain the necessary humidity for cactus without waterlogging, rich in natural minerals, supporting plant growth. Terracotta has natural antibacterial properties, reducing the risk of mold growth in the roots.
- Application: Often mix terracotta with other types of substrates such as sand or Perlite to increase the airiness of the plant.
Peat
Advantage: Retains moisture well, rich in organic matter, creating porosity for the substrate.
Application: Peat is often mixed with other growing media to increase moisture retention and provide organic matter.
Choosing the right substrate is important for cacti to grow well. Each type of substrate has its own advantages such as good drainage, moderate moisture retention, and optimal nutrient absorption. Choosing the right substrate will help cacti grow healthy, lush, and become a vibrant highlight for your space.
See also: Summary of growing media (growing materials) for ornamental foliage plants
Editor: Hang Ngo
