A new mineral fertilizer for cacti and other succulents cultivated in restricted artificial environments

Abstract

The growing enthusiasm currently seen for the cultivation of ornamental plants has aroused interest in exotic plants, principally cacti and other succulents. Although they need little care when planted directly in the soil, they become vulnerable if growing in restricted environments that vary greatly from their natural habitats. In these cases, in addition to requiring more care with respect to illumination, watering and environmental temperature, it is also important to sprinkle them periodically with a mineral nutrient solution consisting of the macronutrients and micronutrients required for physiological growth and development. The excellent results obtained experimentally with the Schlumbergera truncata cactus, treated for 90 days with a mineral solution specifically prepared for this study and compared with the results obtained with the same species of plant watered with distilled or tap water, encourage us to propose this solution as a new mineral fertilizer for cacti and other succulents when cultivated in small, restricted spaces.