Home cacti. Types for your windowsill

Cacti are dicotyledons, whose leaves are changed to thorns. In nature, they grow only on the American continent. Favorable conditions for their growth in the mountains and grassy savannahs, in semi-deserts and deserts, sometimes along the banks of rivers. Some plants have real leaf blades, but the functions of leaves, such as photosynthesis and transpiration, perform the stem.

Domestic cacti are popular in our country. One of the species is Echinopsis. A common feature of this species is regular abundant flowering at night. Funnel-shaped flowers can reach a diameter of 20 cm, this is the difference between all the same cacti. The species of this plant is characterized by a variety of colors. The vegetable world has been enriched thanks to the florists with the appearance of a large number of various hybrids. To the soil in which cacti grow, there are no special requirements, but they respond with adequate growth to adequate watering and good fertilizing.

The next popular plant is the epiphylline-cactus. Its species are found in tropical and subtropical regions. Externally, the plant looks like a bush: it has a very dingy base, a wide stem with jagged edges. There are also thorns. Flowering occurs in May-June. This houseplant grows best in a well-lit room, but the penumbra will not be reflected badly on its growth. Flowers are funnel-shaped and triangular or rounded. For its beauty, it was named "cactus-orchid" among the people.

Opuntia is a perennial plant that belongs to the family "cacti". It grows in South America. He has flat arched branches. It can be either upright or crawling. The stems are covered with axillary buds, which change over time. Flowers appear on it single and have a red or yellow tint. Room prickly pear grows better in a sunny room and rarely blooms. In the event that the buds did appear, they need a very careful attitude, because they can just fall off.

Lofofora is one of the most famous types of cacti. It is completely devoid of spines, and therefore unique. Slightly expressed ribs are separated by grooves in such a way that they form bumps on which there are dense white hairs. This plant is not particularly beautiful, but the globose blue-green stalk affects its softness. Lofofory - quite capricious cacti. The species of this plant should not be planted by inexperienced cactus breeders, since it needs a specific soil (loose, saturated with minerals with an admixture of lime), a lot of heat and light.

Cactus-ripsalidopsis - its home is the coast of Brazil and Ecuador. The leaves consist of rounded plates, and at the edges have a reddish color. The stems are covered with aerial roots that absorb moisture from the air. From March to May, a beautiful corolla of red flowers appears on it. After flowering berries can be formed - pentahedral light red fruits. This plant is well suited for growing as an ampel. Room ripsalidopsis gives preference to scattered light without direct sunlight reaching the leaves. High air humidity is the main condition for its healthy growth.

Thus, almost all types of cacti have a green stem, and waxy plaque gives them a bluish tinge. In the stems of plants there is a water-safe tissue that helps them survive in arid weather. Sometimes bizarre forms of cactus grow, which makes them unusual and beautiful.

Any interior will decorate the original cacti! The species of this plant are diverse, and some can even become an unusual gift!