Forget about pricked hands when transplanting cacti. All you need to do is learn this trick

Cacti are very popular houseplants. Their exotic appearance attracts attention, and their low requirements mean that even the most forgetful can handle their cultivation. However, it is impossible to avoid transplanting them, and this can be stressful both for us and for the prickly plants. Such a task awaits us in March, so it is worth preparing.

A change of environment is a huge stress for the plant. Even resistant cacti can tolerate it hard. We often postpone transplanting them for fear of injury. To replant cacti painlessly, it is worth preparing a few unusual accessories:

• gardening gloves;
• thick towel or newspaper;
• bubble wrap;
• kitchen tongs.

In addition, prepare other items needed for replanting: a new pot with drainage, appropriate substrate, brushes for cleaning plants and roots, and a spatula or spatula. A sharp pruner and a plant disinfectant will also be usefulwhich will prevent the spread of infection. The pot should be about 2 cm. wider than the previous one.

Read also:

Repotting cacti is no more complicated than other plants, as long as you take proper care. First, prepare all the necessary tools and materials. Don’t forget about drainage, for which expanded clay or gravel is best. The soil should be light and permeable, preferably mixed with sand. Then follow the instructions below:

Taking a cactus out of a pot

• wrap the cactus in a thick towel, bubble wrap or use kitchen tongs to avoid being stung.
• knock on the bottom of the pot and loosen the root ball with a stick or spatula;
• carefully remove the cactus from the pot, grabbing it at the base;
• remove the old substrate gently, avoiding damage to the roots.

Root control

• check roots for damage, rot or disease;
• remove dead or damaged roots with clean, sharp scissors;
• clean the roots with a brush, break larger lumps with a stick;
• if there have been problems with rot, allow the roots to dry for 1-2 days before repotting.

Preparing a new flower pot

• place a drainage layer (approx. 2-3 cm) at the bottom of the pot.
• spread a layer of fresh substrate on the drainage.

Planting a cactus

• place the cactus centrally in the new pot so that its base is at the right height (not too deep);
• cover the roots with fresh substrate, lightly pressing down to stabilize the plant.

It is very important not to water the cactus immediately after planting, but only after 5-7 days. During the first four weeks, allow the plant to acclimatize: do not place it in full sun and do not provide fertilizers and nutrients.

Read also:

The best time for replanting cacti is spring, i.e. March. Then the plants have already gone through winter dormancy and will soon begin the growing season. Cacti do not like to be moved too often, so it should be done when the pot is clearly too small. You can tell by the fact that the roots are sticking out of the hole at the bottom of the pot. We replant younger succulents every two years, older ones even every five years. However, under no circumstances should cacti be replanted during the flowering period.