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Melocactus, General Care
General care document for genus: Melocactus
Melocactus, General Care
Being a tropical genus, ranging in habitat from the West Indies, Mexico, Cuba, and northern South America including Brazil, these unusually beautiful plants need warmth. A minimum of 50 degrees F. is recommended.
Melocactus is capable of withstanding full tropical sunlight but will develop full coloration and generally more attractive appearance if protected from the hottest mid-day sunlight. This also reduces moisture and food demand.
As Melocactus is accustomed to periods of drought in habitat, this should also be provided in cultivation. Soak the root ball well when watering, but let dry completely, and allow to remain dry for several days before watering again.
If your tap water contains a high content of Iron, Calcium, Sulfur, or other chemical elements, it is best to not wet the plant body when watering. Doing so can cause discoloration of the cephalium or even the epidermis.
A great number of collectors prefer to use bottled spring water for there most valued plants. We are fortunate to have a spring from which we irrigate with. Even leaving tap water in an open container overnight will help reduce effects from some of the chemicals such as chlorine.
Melocactus, like most cacti, like to be somewhat pot bound. Using too large of a pot size allows the roots to stay moist too long. If it takes more than a day or two for your potting mix to dry, this could be an indication of too large of a pot size. It also could indicate that your potting mix is not draining properly.
We recommend a well draining mix of composted vegetation or peat, sand, perlite or pumice, and small gravel. A small amount of clay is not bad. Some finely crushed limestone will help build strong roots as well. Mainly, whatever mix you use should be able to retain nutrients and a small amount of moisture long enough for the plant to utilize it. But, the mix should also drain off excess moisture freely.
When transplanting from a small pot to a larger pot, it is advisable to tease the perimeter roots away from the center to avoid a tight circular root growth pattern. Using a pencil or some other rounded tool, go around the edges of the exposed root ball, teasing the ends of the roots out toward the edges of what will be the plant's new home. This allows more rapid and healthier root growth and help to establish your plant in its new home.
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