You may not be familiar with the Parodia family of cactus,
but it is certainly well worth the effort of growing one once you learn more
about it. Read on for some Parodia cactus information and get the basics of
growing these ball cactus plants.
What is Parodia Cactus?
Native to the high regions of South America, Parodia is a is genus consisting of about 50 species ranging from small, ball cacti to tall, narrow varieties reaching heights of about 3 feet (1 m.). Cup-shaped flowers of yellow, pink, orange, or red appear on the upper part of mature plants.
According to Parodia cactus information, Parodia is suitable for growing outdoors where winter temperatures never drop below 50 F. (10 C.). In cool climates, the smaller Parodia ball cactus, also known as silver ball or snowball, makes a great indoor plant. Be careful, though, as members of the Parodia family tend to be very spiny.
Tips on Growing Ball Cactus
If you’re growing ball cactus outdoors, the plant should be
in gritty, well-drained soil. Place indoor plants in a container filled with a potting
soil formulated for cacti and succulents, or a mixture of regular potting
mix and coarse sand.
Place Parodia ball cactus in bright, indirect sunlight.
Outdoor plants do well in a spot with morning and evening sun but afternoon
shade, especially in hot climates.
Water Parodia cactus regularly throughout the growing
season. The soil should be kept slightly moist, but cactus plants, either
indoors or outdoors, should never sit in soggy soil. Cut back watering during
the winter, providing only enough to keep the soil from becoming bone dry.
If possible, place indoor plants in a cool room during the
winter months, as Parodia is more likely to flower with a cooling period.
Feed ball cactus regularly during spring and summer, using a
fertilizer
for cactus and succulents. Withhold fertilizer during fall and winter.
New Parodia ball cactus plants are easily propagated from
offsets growing at the base of mature plants. Just pull or cut an offset, then
place it on a paper towel for a few days until the cut forms a callus. Plant
the offset in a small pot filled with cactus potting mix.
You may not be familiar with the Parodia family of cactus,
but it is certainly well worth the effort of growing one once you learn more
about it. Read on for some Parodia cactus information and get the basics of
growing these ball cactus plants.
What is Parodia Cactus?
Native to the high regions of South America, Parodia is a is genus consisting of about 50 species ranging from small, ball cacti to tall, narrow varieties reaching heights of about 3 feet (1 m.). Cup-shaped flowers of yellow, pink, orange, or red appear on the upper part of mature plants.
According to Parodia cactus information, Parodia is suitable for growing outdoors where winter temperatures never drop below 50 F. (10 C.). In cool climates, the smaller Parodia ball cactus, also known as silver ball or snowball, makes a great indoor plant. Be careful, though, as members of the Parodia family tend to be very spiny.
Tips on Growing Ball Cactus
If you’re growing ball cactus outdoors, the plant should be
in gritty, well-drained soil. Place indoor plants in a container filled with a potting
soil formulated for cacti and succulents, or a mixture of regular potting
mix and coarse sand.
Place Parodia ball cactus in bright, indirect sunlight.
Outdoor plants do well in a spot with morning and evening sun but afternoon
shade, especially in hot climates.
Water Parodia cactus regularly throughout the growing
season. The soil should be kept slightly moist, but cactus plants, either
indoors or outdoors, should never sit in soggy soil. Cut back watering during
the winter, providing only enough to keep the soil from becoming bone dry.
If possible, place indoor plants in a cool room during the
winter months, as Parodia is more likely to flower with a cooling period.
Feed ball cactus regularly during spring and summer, using a
fertilizer
for cactus and succulents. Withhold fertilizer during fall and winter.
New Parodia ball cactus plants are easily propagated from
offsets growing at the base of mature plants. Just pull or cut an offset, then
place it on a paper towel for a few days until the cut forms a callus. Plant
the offset in a small pot filled with cactus potting mix.