How do you water a ball cactus properly?
The ball cactus needs regular watering in spring and summer. Always water when the surface of the earth is well dry. Avoid waterlogging by all means.
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Rainwater is best suited for watering. The spherical cactus does not tolerate calcareous water.
Does the ball cactus need fertilizer?
Fertilize you only need a leaf cactus if it has been in the same substrate for a long time. Use a cactus fertilizer that you give once a month. In the case of a very nutrient-rich substrate, it is even sufficient if you only fertilize it every two months. You must not give fertilizers in winter.
When do you need to repot a ball cactus?
It is time to repot when the roots have completely rooted the substrate. Check root growth in spring. If necessary, put the ball cactus in a larger container with fresh substrate. The cactus soil shouldn't be too nutritious.
After repotting, you must not fertilize the ball cactus for several months!
So that you cannot injure yourself on the very pronounced thorns, wrap the cactus with a thick terry towel. Normal Gardening gloves Not enough, even leather gloves pierce the spines.
What diseases and pests to watch out for?
If the substrate is waterlogged or if the substrate is permanently too moist, the roots and later also the cactus body rot.
Check the ball cactus regularly for pests:
- Spider mites
- Mealybugs
- Mealybug
How do you care for a ball cactus in winter?
In winter the ball cactus takes a break. It has to be set a little cooler during this time. Winter temperatures should be between 12 and 15 degrees. It must never be cooler than 10 degrees. The location must be very bright even in winter.
During the winter, water the ball cactus very sparingly and do not fertilize it.
Tips
The spherical cactus develops yellow blossoms. In the first few years it does not yet bloom. It only has its first flowering period at the age of three, which lasts from July to September.
