If you’ve taken it upon yourself to grow cacti outdoors, or just a single cactus, be prepared for a lot of work. Unless you live in an area that has the perfect conditions and cacti grow naturally, growing cacti is not an easy task, and success depends on your level of consistency.
However, with a little effort, it is quite possible and produces some really beautiful plants for your yard and garden.
Growing a Cactus Outside
Cacti need a different kind of soil and ground conditions from most plants, so you need to keep this in mind when choosing them for your landscape. To ensure success, check to see if the cactus that you are choosing will grow in your area, as well as the growing conditions where you want to plant it. If you are willing to do so, experiment a little. However, if you do so, you must prepare for the worst, which will be the loss of the cactus. If all goes well, you’re ready to move forward.
Plant your cactus as early in the season as you can. This allows your cactus to establish itself before winter can come, but do not let it freeze at night while it’s in this process. Postpone planting, or cover it, until it’s slightly above freezing at night.
Ensure that you plant the cacti in an area with soil that is well-drained. Add a couple of rocks and granular soil, mineral, to establish somewhat of a bed for your cactus. However, do not use organic soil for your cactus, because it will cause harm and may kill it. The rocks will also help to protect your cactus from the natural elements if you live in a harsher area.
Successful Cacti Growing
By following the tips above and ensuring that a cactus will be able to grow in your area, you will ensure growth success.
