Cacti are a separate family of flowering perennials of the order Carnation. They are divided into 4 subfamilies. It is believed that evolutionary cacti appeared about 40 million years ago. However, fossils of such ancient specimens have not yet been found. Scientists are inclined to believe that the homeland of the indoor cactus, as well as other species, is South America, and it appeared relatively recently, about 10 million years ago. And only then it began to spread throughout North America.
Today, these plants are very popular among lovers of indoor flower cultivation. In addition, there are many rumors that cacti absorb electromagnetic radiation from household appliances. Therefore, many people put them near their computers. However, this information has not been officially confirmed by scientists.
Cactus classification
These plants are divided into four subfamilies: Peresievye, Opuntsievye, Maukhienievye and Cactus. They differ not only in external data, but also in a number of other features.
Pereskievye - an evolutionary link connecting cacti and deciduous plants. It is a genus of shrubs with non-succulent stems and full leaves. Opuntia ones have reduced leaves, succulent stems and special spikes - glochidia. These are small and very fragile spines, hard and sharp with serrated notches. They grow in bundles, getting into the stomach of animals, cause irritation. The entire subfamily has a similar seed structure and flower shape.
The habitat of the cactus of the subfamily Mauchienidae is mainly Patagonia. Plants are similar to Opuntia in appearance, but without glochidia. They have conical leaves and pronounced succulence. Cacti combine the remaining genera of this plant. They have no leaves at all, except for small processes on the trunk. There are no glochids either. This subspecies included epiphytic plants and numerous xerophytes.
A real distribution
Where do cacti grow? Their main habitat is the deserts of North and South America. The most violent variety falls on Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. You can also find them in Africa and Asia. Many species were brought to Spain, Italy, France, Australia, India and Russia. Although the homeland of the indoor cactus is South America, it can take root on almost any continent if the necessary conditions are created for its vital activity. For example, this plant does not like cold weather.
Cacti live in alpine deserts, adapting to the harsh climate. For example, mammillaria, neobessia, escobaria, telocactus and other species. There are whole thickets in the savannah. There you can find cereus and prickly pear. But not always the habitat of a cactus is a desert. It is often found in evergreen rainforests. A distinctive feature of such plants is the complete absence of thorns.
Cactus habitat
Nature endowed cacti with grooves. On them, water rolls down to the roots, which are thickened in order to store as much moisture as possible. They can occupy up to 5 square meters around the plant. At the same time, superficial roots absorb dew and moisture from the soil.
The adaptability of the cactus to its habitat depends on the habitat. For example, due to spherical shape, low evaporation of moisture is achieved. And the ribs on the stem prevent cracking. A thick skin rescues a cactus from the hot sun. Some species are covered with many thorns and villi, creating a protective shadow. For plants that "live" in deserts, nature has provided for the absence of leaves to save precious moisture.
Desert cacti
They are the most resistant and unpretentious to environmental conditions among all cacti. Three main genera of these plants are distinguished:
- Echinopsis. These are cacti with stiff thorns that go in even rows and round stems.
- Prickly pear. Plants have leafy flattened stems similar to green pancakes.
- Astrophytum. Its representatives are characterized by powerful ribbed stems and developed spines.
Cacti in the desert, as a rule, have powerful stems and many intermediate ribs. At the same time, they have strong long spines.
Indoor cacti
These species are dwarf and occupy very little space. They can be grown in dozens on one windowsill. They, like their other brethren, are divided into forest and desert. Indoor - these are dwarf copies of cacti growing in nature. Some of them were obtained by crossing different species. Homemade - more moody and require care. Mostly flower lovers are in demand in a small green cactus.
Names of Indoor Views
The names of the cacti are quite interesting, and few people hear them. These houseplants include comb echinopsis, Peruvian, Knippel's echinocereus, Thistle aporocactus, Gruzon's echinocactus, woolly espola, Capricorn astrophytum, Sylvester chamecereus, golden-eyed and bloom-flowered parotica, some percussion, leaves, leaves, others.
For indoor breeding, phyllocactuses with fleshy leaves are very good. Their flowers are large and of different colors - from white to purple. They propagate by cuttings and seeds. They love light, in summer they need good watering and spraying. Epiphyllum is considered the best indoor cactus. He is very hardy, the color of his flowers is different: from white to purple-red. In summer, these cacti should be kept in bright places, but not exposed to direct sunlight. They propagate by cuttings.
When cacti bloom
These plants are beautiful in their own right. But still it's nice to see how they bloom, which is very rare. There is an opinion that after this the plant dies, but it is erroneous. Healthy cacti give flowers every year. Much depends on the conditions in which they are contained.
In order for them to bloom, they need a good root system. And the plant must be in a state of growth. Cacti that do not have live roots will not produce flowers. They require top dressing - potassium phosphate. But often it is harmful to use it. Cacti should hibernate in a cool, dry place, and in summer they should receive enough fresh air. For an active and healthy existence of sunlight, they need only three to six hours a day. It depends on the particular species. The plant should always be turned to the sun on the same side.
Biggest cacti
These plants can often reach huge sizes. Where do cacti grow best? In America, they can be found in large quantities not only in the desert, but also on city streets. Very often they grow much taller than human growth, and people standing next to such a giant seem to be just "insects." Huge cacti in the desert can rarely be found, mainly on the outskirts, but not in the center. They can grow so that they resemble trees. Such cacti store a huge amount of water in fleshy stems. Often they grow in whole colonies.
How do cacti breed?
They can be bred at home using both seeds and the cuttings. In the first case, seedlings appear within a week, in some species - even after a month. Sowing is best done in the spring, in the middle or at the end of the season. A bowl with seeds is placed on heating, and a temperature of 25-30 degrees is maintained. Many people use indoor greenhouses or hotbeds, since the natural habitat of a cactus is mainly warm countries.
Land for sowing is poured onto the drainage layer. The seeds are sprinkled with it and pressed on top of a small plank. The bowl is placed in warm water so that the liquid gets into the drainage holes and moisturizes well. Emerging seedlings must be protected from direct sunlight. As soon as the first sprouts appeared, watering is reduced. The pick is made after the thorns have appeared.
Cuttings are also produced in the spring, taking the top or side shoots. A drainage layer is poured into the pot, and on top is the earth. Cuttings should be cut with a sharp knife and dried well for a week. After that, plant in the sand to a depth of 1 cm. For greater stability, the cuttings can be attached to pegs. Then top with a jar. Watering begins only after the cactus has begun, and until that time the earth is only slightly moistened. Cuttings can be prepared in advance in the fall and stored in dry sand until spring.
Varieties and forms
The habitat of the cactus is arid places, and nature has made sure that they adapt to this. These plants can be divided into several groups, which differ not only in appearance, but also in the conditions for growing them at home:
- with leaves;
- coral
- leaf-shaped;
- spherical;
- papillary;
- fig;
- elongated;
- stickleback;
- soft-bodied;
- the rest are small genera.
