SAN PEDRO CACTUS CULTIVATION FOR BEGINNERS
SAN PEDRO CACTUS CULTIVATION FOR BEGINNERS
0. INTRO: SAN PEDRO CACTUSES ARE EASY TO GROW
Growing San Pedro Cacti is easy, inexpensive, and requires little time and effort.
San Pedro Cacti grow quickly, become increasingly beautiful and larger, and increase in value.
San Pedro Cacti are strong, require little care and still grow well.
They can withstand drought, heat and strong sun.
There are many San Pedro species and forms so you can grow your favourite San Pedro Cactus.
Large columnar San Pedro Cacti are impressive and eye-catching.
The spiritual history of the San Pedro Cactus in South America is also interesting.
As is its use by the native population of South America and by shamans....
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1. ADVANTAGES OF GROWING SAN PEDRO CACTI YOURSELF
1.1 Growing them yourself is cheaper
Cultivation costs almost nothing, but does require regular attention.
It takes several years to grow a large San Pedro Cactus.
By starting with a medium-sized San Pedro Cactus, you can reduce this time to 2 to 3 years.
The sooner you start, the sooner you will have grown large San Pedros.
1.2 Cultivation is very rewarding
Growing your own San Pedro Cacti is very satisfying when it goes well.
For example, when they grow well, when they produce cuttings, when they bloom with large white flowers.
And when you can use them during a trip. ;-)
1.3 You can determine the growth factors yourself
You can determine how you grow your own San Pedro Cacti.
You can experiment with your own soil mix, location (balcony, garden, greenhouse?), nutrition, etc.
1.4 Educational hobby
By working with San Pedro Cacti yourself, you will learn a lot about:
care, physical characteristics and growth, botany, history, native use, nature reserves.
This can be a valuable experience for young and old alike.
1.5 Sustainable hobby
Growing your own saves on transport, packaging material, environmental impact, etc.
1.6 Nature conservation
Some San Pedro Cactus species (e.g. the Bald San Pedro) are probably extinct in the wild.
By cultivating them yourself, you help to preserve the species.
1.7 Cultural and historical value
San Pedro Cacti have been known in South American cultures for thousands of years.
There is much to read, study and experience.
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3. START WITH SEEDS, CUTTINGS OR PLANTS
Seeds: seeds are inexpensive, but you do need to check on them regularly after sowing.
The seedlings grow faster and faster, so that after two years you will already have plants of 5 centimetres or longer.
Photo: Complete seed kit with all parts.
Cuttings: Potting and rooting cuttings takes 1 to 2 months.
After that, the cutting will continue to grow, slowly at first, but then faster and faster.
However, 2 to 3 cm of the cutting is in the soil, so that the above-ground part is shorter than the original length.
Young plants: Ideal for beginners because small rooted San Pedro Cacti grow immediately.
Older mature plants: Ideal for beginners because large rooted San Pedro Cacti grow quickly.
They also develop side branches faster and flower earlier than small San Pedro Cacti
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4. THE GROWING LOCATION (PLACEMENT): REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Growing location during the growing period (March to October)
The location where you grow your San Pedro Cacti during the growing period is very important!
The amount of light and the temperature during the day are both very important during the growing season.
4.1.1 Sufficient light at the location during the growing season
San Pedro Cacti need a lot of light to grow naturally.
A light spot for the cultivation of San Pedro Cacti is therefore important.
With too little light, San Pedro Cacti grow elongated and thin (‘etiolate’).
A south-facing window is ideal, but an east- or west-facing window is also good.
A north-facing window is too dark, causing the plants to grow thin, long and limp.
4.1.2 A temperature of 20 to 30 degrees during the day in the growing season
The temperature should be at least 20 degrees during the day, but 25 to 30 degrees is better.
Make sure that the temperature does not rise above 30 - 35 degrees, as this will slow down or stop growth.
Make sure that the temperature does not rise above 50 degrees, as this can cause them to burn.
Indoors, the temperature in the sun can easily rise above 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.
Sticking a newspaper to the window prevents excessive sunlight and high temperatures.
An open window provides a supply of cooler air.
4.2 Growing location during the winter rest period (November to February)
During the rest period in the winter months, the location is not so important.
This means that both the temperature and the amount of light are not important.
Your San Pedro Cacti can overwinter in a dark place at lower temperatures.
4.2.1 A temperature between 0 and 20 degrees during the day in the dormant period
In winter, the temperature may be zero degrees or lower, because San Pedro cacti can tolerate freezing temperatures.
In the dark winter months, there is too little light, causing Cacti to continue growing slowly and weakly.
In winter, not watering and a lower temperature ensure that growth stops (winter dormancy).
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5. THE GROWING LOCATION (PLACEMENT): DETAILS
5.1 Cultivation indoors
San Pedro Cacti can be cultivated very well indoors.
Place them near a window with plenty of light and direct sunlight.
A south-facing window is best for maximum sunlight.
An east or west location is also good.
In a less light spot (north side), San Pedro's will grow thinner and longer.
5.2 Cultivation in a greenhouse
But cultivation in a greenhouse is even better because light can fall on the greenhouse from all sides.
In a greenhouse, your San Pedro's will become bluer in colour and have thicker thorns.
A greenhouse made of metal tubes and plastic sheeting is inexpensive to buy.
But be careful of excessive temperatures.
Ensure adequate ventilation in the greenhouse (windows and doors open).
Provide protection from bright sunlight (shade cloth, foil, lime, plastic sheets on the roof).
5.3 Outdoor cultivation
At sufficiently high temperatures, San Pedro Cacti also grow well outdoors.
Preferably in a pot so that you can move the Cactus if necessary.
The temperature should be at least 20 degrees during the day, and a place in the sun is better.
5.3.1 Outdoor cultivation without shelter
Make sure that excess rainwater can drain away properly.
Ensure drainage in the pot and holes in the bottom of the pot.
Do not place the pot on a tray or container in which water can remain.
Beware of too much acid rain: measure the pH of the soil from time to time.
If the soil is too acidic (pH < 5), add tap water (pH > 8) to neutralise the excess acid.
5.3.2 Outdoor cultivation under a canopy
You can also place your San Pedro Cacti under a canopy in a sunny spot.
The San Pedro Cactus will then not receive any direct rainwater, so you will need to water it yourself.
For example, rainwater or tap water or both.
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6. SOIL TYPE
The soil type for San Pedro Cacti is less important.
San Pedro Cacti are not as sensitive to persistent moisture in the soil as other Cacti.
Therefore, you can cultivate San Pedro Cacti well in, for example, 100% peat or potting soil.
Make sure the pot is not too large, otherwise the soil will dry out too quickly.
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7. POTS
Do not use pots that are too large for your San Pedro Cacti.
In larger pots, the soil remains moist for too long, causing the roots to rot.
Use a pot that is 5.5 cm wide and 5 cm longer than your San Pedro.
Use a 6.5 cm pot with a length of 5.5 cm to 10 cm for your San Pedro.
Use an 8.5 cm pot with a length of 10 cm to 20 cm for your San Pedro.
Use a 10 or 11 cm pot with a length of 20 cm to 30 cm for your San Pedro.
Take a 20 cm pot for a San Pedro that is 30 cm to 50 cm long.
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8. REPOTTING
When the root ball is 3/4 full of roots, you can repot the Cactus into a slightly larger pot.
Do not use a much larger pot, as the soil will remain wet for too long.
Leave the root ball intact and fill the soil under and around the root ball in the larger pot.
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9. WATER AND NUTRIENTS
9.1 Water and nutrients during the growing season
Water every 2 weeks from 1 March to around 1 October.
Dissolve 0.5 grams of cactus fertiliser per litre of water in the watering can.
Only water when the soil has dried out.
In very warm weather, the soil will dry out sooner and you can water earlier, e.g. after 10-12 days.
If you water your Cacti less, they will grow more slowly but will not die.
9.2 Water and nutrition during the dormant period (winter)
Do not water or feed from around 1 October to 1 March.
It is too dark during this period, causing Cacti to grow too thin and long.
By stopping watering, growth will stop after a few weeks.
If necessary, you can still water in sunny weather until around 15 October.
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10. SURVIVING IN POOR CONDITIONS
San Pedro Cacti can survive for years out of the sun, at temperatures of up to 20 degrees Celsius and without water.
During the four winter months (November to February), they do not need water or food.
This means that you can be away for months without your cacti dying or suffering any damage.
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