The uniqueness and beauty of succulents may not be appreciated by every person, but noticing cacti with colored needles in the window of a flower shop, people stop in amazement. Perhaps you have seen such a "wonder of nature." But is it nature? We will try to answer this question in this article.
Miracle or Deception?
The shade of a cactus is determined by three factors: the color of the erydermis, pubescence and spines. The base of most plants is green and the spines are dark grey. Experienced collectors claim that cacti with colored needles - red, orange, which today are presented in a huge assortment in specialized stores - originally had natural tones. They had a green stem and characteristic dark gray needles. All these coloring experiments are related to the attempts of sellers to attract buyers and sell as much of their "unusual" product as possible.
To make a cactus with colored flowers appear on the counterneedles, it is enough to plant it in a container filled with a mixture of soil for succulents with food coloring in a ratio of 1: 3. With each watering, the plant absorbs part of the pigment, and after three months its spines acquire a color that is not characteristic of these representatives of the exotic.
Colored cacti
Nevertheless, in the natural environment there are plants that nature has awarded with an unusual color. In order for such beauties not to lose their charm, they need to be provided with competent care. Plants need to get enough light. With its deficiency, very soon the unusual color of the cactus will turn from rare into the most common.
Astrophytum (Astrophytum)
Succulent has won the hearts of flower growers with its completely non-standard appearance. Under natural conditions, there are two varieties of this plant with interesting names - "star" and "speckled". At home, growing such a cactus is not easy, because the plant does not tolerate sunlight well, it needs a semi-shaded place.
Gymnocalycium Mikhanovich
A red-hued cactus that was bred in Japan in 1941. After long and painstaking work, scientists managed to get plants with pink, white, cream, raspberry, yellow, red-brown and even purple stem colors.
Echinocactus Gruzona
The name of a cactus with colored needles, and natural ones, is known to many loverssucculents in our country and around the world. Echinocactus Gruzona - a native of distant Mexico. Under natural conditions, there are specimens over 100 cm high.
The species got its name in honor of the engineer Herman Gruzon (1891), who collected the largest collection of cacti. Subsequently, it was donated to the city of Magdeburg. This species, which combined six common spherical succulents, received its name Echinocactus because of their shape and the presence of sharp long spines. There are thorns that are bright yellow, amber or pale gold, which contrast effectively with the dark green trunk.
Special plant
The name of the plant can be translated from Greek as "sea urchin". The plant really resembles a curled up animal. As they grow older, by the age of 13-15, this ball is slightly extended vertically. That is why it received a second name - "golden barrel".
The entire surface of a cactus with colored needles (you can see the photo above) is covered with sharp, straight or slightly curved spines. Those that grow closer to the center reach 5 cm in length, located on the periphery - 3 cm. The needles cross at the top.
Numerous ribs (45 pieces) give the plant the correct rounded shape. At home, a cactus with colored needles blooms quite rarely. Even under natural conditions, only mature specimens that have reached the age of twenty form buds. Flowering occurs in spring. Alternately at the top of the plantsingle buds open. The flowers resemble light brown or pale yellow bells, about 6 cm in diameter. Then oblong fruits appear, which are slightly pubescent.
Cactus with colored needles: home care
Succulent owners need to remember that at temperatures exceeding +30 ° C, the growth of such a variety as Gruzona slows down, and in some cases even stops. In the period from mid-October to early February, the plant should be kept in a cooler room. The optimum temperature for him at this time is +12 °C.
Irrigation
Colored cacti from April to September are watered moderately and after the soil dries out by a third. From a lack of moisture, the plant can wrinkle, and from its overabundance, the stem can rot. To water the cactus, you need to use only warm water. At the end of summer, the flow of moisture should be reduced, and practically stopped from mid-autumn. Infrequent watering is only aimed at preventing wrinkling of the plant.
Lighting
In order for multi-colored cactus species to develop normally, they need direct sunlight. In summer, the plant feels very comfortable in the fresh air. With a lack of lighting, the succulent drops its thorns. If he constantly stands on one side towards the light, then the part that is in the shade shrinks, which worsens the appearance of the plant. To prevent this, the pot should be rotated periodically.
Soil
A cactus with colored needles is suitable for ready-made soilmix for succulents It can be purchased at every specialized store. Fans of these plants recommend adding brick chips or fine gravel to it.
Feeding
Caring for a cactus with colored needles involves regular fertilization. For feeding succulents, special nutrient formulations are used. Other fertilizers can harm the plant. For example, any organic complexes are contraindicated for cacti. The plant is fed once a month and only in spring and summer.
Transfer
Growing up, the succulent will need a more spacious container. The size of the pot is determined simply - add one to two centimeters to the diameter of the cactus. Transplanting a plant can be fraught with some difficulties associated with the presence of numerous needles. To carefully remove it from the ground and not damage your hands, use a special grip made of wire or thick gloves.
It should be taken into account when transplanting that the roots of this plant are extremely fragile. The extracted cactus must be inspected and, if necessary, dried or rotten roots removed. Water it after transplantation no earlier than three days later.
