Frailea - photo, care, planting, reproduction

Frailey: description and characteristics

Frailea - native to Brazil, this plant belongs to the Cactaceae family and is a very variable, charming and miniature species. It has spherical or ovoid stems on which the formation of lateral processes is extremely rare. There is often a thickening at their tops. As they grow older, they take on a shape resembling a cylinder, but this does not always happen. Their color can be different, for example, green, bluish, brown or burgundy. The arrangement of the edges is vertical or forming a spiral. Frailea cactus is covered with flat or pointed, distinct tubercles, their shape depends on which species is grown. Also, thorns, they may not be at all, can be straight and short. The formation of a fluffy cephalius occurs closer to the apex of the stem, but this happens only occasionally. It is there that yellow flowers are born, the diameter of which is 4 centimeters, and which are often hidden under the stem. The maximum height of a cactus is 10 centimeters.

Frailea: growing and care

Frailea cactus: photo

Temperature:

Frailea cactus loves warmth and feels very well even in extreme heat with adequate watering. In winter, he falls into vegetative sleep and in this state prefers to be at a temperature of +10 degrees.

Lighting level:

Frailea cactus loves a lot of light, so you need to choose a well-lit place for it, but so that during the summer heat, direct sunlight does not fall on it. Partial shade for cultivation is also suitable, but in this case it will negatively affect flowering.

Even a young florist can grow this plant, because the plant is very unpretentious and does not require a lot of labor. However, it is impossible to drastically change the temperature conditions and the level of lighting; this should be done slowly.

Soil preparation:

Frailea cactus loves light, well water and air permeable soils with a neutral level of acidity. You can make an earthen mixture yourself using leaf humus, turf, coarse river sand to increase the drainage of the soil and charcoal in small quantities and crushed. The option of a ready-made mixture from flower shops designed for plants of this family is perfect. It can also grow in soil with a lack of nutrients.

How and when to feed:

During the first year of life in fresh soil, the plant does not need feeding. Fertilizers should contain high levels of calcium and phosphorus and be suitable for cacti. Top dressing is carried out throughout the entire waking period with breaks of 30 days. Dosages are used half as much as those indicated in the instructions. With the onset of winter, no fertilization is required.

When it blooms:

Flowering occurs after 2 years of life, and sometimes much later, exclusively in the summer.

Air humidity level:

If the frailei cactus is at a temperature not exceeding +25 degrees, then spraying should not be carried out, but if it is higher, then the procedure is carried out in the morning, so that by the evening all the moisture has time to evaporate.

Moisture level in the soil:

In winter, watering should be carried out infrequently, solely in order to prevent the earthen coma from drying out. As soon as the plant wakes up and begins to actively develop, it should be watered a little more often, increasing the frequency gradually. Watering should be done after spilling the top 5 cm layer of soil.All excess water is drained from the pallet at once.

How to transplant:

Plants that have reached maturity are transplanted every 3 years with the arrival of spring. For planting plants, you need to use pots that have large drainage holes. For several days, only the transplanted plants are not watered.

How to propagate:

You can propagate the frailey cactus using seeds, babies, cuttings and grafts. In the first case, sowing is carried out in spring, the seed is only slightly pressed into the ground. In the second case, the babies are separated from the mother plant and planted in different containers. Side shoots are rarely used, as they rarely form on the plant.

Possible difficulties

Frailea cactus: photo

With too little watering, the roots of the frailey cactus may dry out, and with excessive and stagnant moisture, rot may begin to develop on them.

After the expiration of time, the frailei cactus may lose its decorative effect, in this case, it will have to be replaced.