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The star cactus will not go unnoticed in your garden. It is an easy plant to care for, has showy flowers and guarantees a beautiful decorative effect.
What is the star cactus
The star cactus, or Stapelia hirsuta, is a perennial plant native to South Africa. According to the gardener, although it is popularly known as a cactus, it is a succulent and belongs to the Apocynaceae Its flowers are star-shaped and are found in the colors wine, brown, and yellow.
According to Angela, the flower of the star cactus has an unpleasant odor, reminiscent of rotting meat. This characteristic is a way for the plant to attract flies to pollinate the flowers. Despite attracting insects, the specialist reminds us that the species is not carnivorous and is not toxic to humans or pets.
How to care for the star cactus
The star cactus does not need so much maintenance on a daily basis. However, to guarantee a good blooming, it is necessary to take care of watering and fertilizing:
1. watering
"The star cactus, as well as all cacti and succulents, has the ability to store water in its leaves and trunks, so when growing it, care must be taken not to overwater." The expert says that adequate watering should only happen when the substrate is dry.
2. fertilization
Fertilizing is essential to stimulate the star cactus to bloom. According to Angela, the fertilizer must be rich in phosphorus for the flowers to grow beautifully. "You also need to pay attention to the luminosity, since the species needs sunlight to bloom vigorously."
3. luminosity
According to the expert, the star cactus should receive at least 4 hours of sunlight a day, so leave your plant in a place that receives sunlight in the morning or evening.
4. ideal soil
"It is important to grow the cactus in a substrate that facilitates water drainage, and it also needs to be rich in nutrients to increase the plant's immunity to prevent the appearance of pests such as mealybugs.
5. seedlings
"The multiplication of the star cactus is done by dividing clumps, that is, small seedlings that grow around the plant over time. The seedlings should be removed from the soil when they are well rooted. In addition, they need to be replanted in a good quality substrate.
6. flowering
According to the gardener, to ensure that the cactus is always in bloom, it is necessary to observe four factors: it needs to receive a good substrate; be in an environment with exposure to sunlight; not receive excessive watering; and be cultivated with a fertilizer that stimulates the flowers. Finally, blooming always happens in summer and lasts for 2 to 3 days.
With Angela's professional tips, you can now grow the star cactus at home and compose beautiful environments.
Learn more about the star cactus
To grow a new plant at home, it is always good to have several tips and information, so check out a selection of videos about the star cactus. The list brings more curiosities and orientations about flowering, watering, and ideal cultivation:
More tips for growing the star cactus
In this video, you will find several practical tips for growing the star cactus correctly. The vlog provides useful information about watering, ideal substrate, and proper fertilization, as well as the best environments to ensure the health of your plant.
See_also: Roof types: 13 models and 50 inspirations for you to think about your projectCuriosities about the star cactus
The gardener Henrique Buttler presents some curiosities about the star cactus, explains the difference between this species and other varieties, and teaches how to fight pests.
How to make star cactus seedlings
The star cactus multiplies easily, so it is common for the same seedling to originate several others over time. In this video, see how to make seedlings by clump division and by cutting. Both methods are simple and very common in gardening.
Also get to know Stapelia gigantea
How about growing a different kind of star cactus? Stapelia gigantea In this vlog, you will learn all the particularities of this flower. It is worth checking it out, because the tips are practical and the succulent looks beautiful in the decoration.
With all these tips, in addition to love and care, your star cactus will grow beautifully and healthily. It will certainly make your home decor much more charming.
10 creative ideas for decorating your home with the star cactus
It's time to check some inspirations to include the star cactus in your home decoration. The succulent looks beautiful in pots, gardens, and indoors. When the flowers are born, the charm is even greater:
How about having an exotic and very charming plant at home?
The star cactus does not go unnoticed
It has exuberant flowers in burgundy, yellow and brown
4. that guarantee a beautiful decorative effect
5. the plant is easy to grow
6. does not require much care and maintenance
7. and looks beautiful in an arrangement with other species
8. you can grow the star cactus indoors
9. however, do not forget that luminosity is important
10. this way, the decoration will always be beautiful and flowery
The star cactus really enchants! To make your home even more beautiful, also grow the ixora. It has delicate flowers and beautiful varieties.
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