5” Melocactus

Melocactus

With over 2000 species and about 140 genera of plants, Cacti evolved in the deserts of North and South Americas. Mexico has the greatest number of Cacti species in any country. While these are plants that grow in arid regions, the hybrid varieties are known to thrive in the right growing conditions, anywhere. They are popular house plants and produce flowers when quite young.

Adopting and caring for Melocactus

Adopting: Adding a healthy Melocactus to a plant collection is a feeling only a plant parent can understand. At eplants, we bring you display-ready plants with high-quality growth, compact shape and well-formed specimens.

Locating: Cacti need bright light. So set the plants up in a sunny spot in your home or office. While they love the sun, they can also be grown under artificial fluorescent lights like the ones in the office.

Potting: Since Cacti have a tiny root structure, you don’t need to re-pot them every year. Once in 3-4 years is ideal. While re-potting, Cacti requires soil that’s pebbly, sandy, porous and one that provides excellent drainage and aeration. The right type of soil will need to dry quickly after you water the plant. A good mix of 30:30:20:20 of coco-peat, coarse sand, compost and perlite is ideal for Cacti

Watering: Cacti have adapted to live with little or no rain for months. So it’s only natural that you don’t overwater these plants. A few drops of water every month is all they need. Overwatering could result in rot setting into the root and eventually, the loss of plant life

Fertilising: Most Cacti grow slowly, hence require very little in terms of feeding. If you must fertilise, give them some organic liquid fertiliser once or twice a year. Dilute it in water as described on the pack and add little to each pot as part of your watering routine

Ancient and rugged, Cacti have no parallel in the natural world. They are as decorative as they are surreal. A bright pink globe can emerge from a grey-green base, and magnificent flowers can appear amidst the spikes. If you are a plant lover, you could consider adding a few of these hardy, prickly plants to your collection.

Did you know

The spines on a Cacti are actually their leaves.