Yours Truly, Thorny

We think that it’s the rose that makes those thorns look good but what if, it’s the thorns that make the rose so desirous? Beauty isn’t always soft and gullible sometimes it’s also harsh and dangerous.

Cactus is one such plant that is harsh on the outside but is also a very beautiful plant that looks wonderful if grown. Cacti gardens are those gardens which cultivate and display these beautiful species. We have many such gardens in India and with the help of this article you can have your very own cacti garden at your disposal. You can grow it in a large space or a container to keep as a centerpiece. It is easy to maintain and looks sharp.

STEP BY STEP

• Firstly, plan out a location in your garden. The best suited place is on a small hill(upraised area) as it allows the garden bed to drain properly. Don’t worry if you have a flat area you can still have it but, with a lot more of digging.

• Now you have to decide the shape and size. Be as creative as you want to be and go wild with ideas.

• Get ready to go dirty! Level out the garden and dig it up a few inches. Remove all the grass and weed that would hinder the growth of the cacti.

• Here comes construction. Put in the tiles around it and drop all the soil and level it out.
• Finally the fun part! It’s time to plant those babies. Choose plants that will suit your area. Pot and plant them and during winters bring them inside the home. They feel cold too.
• The easiest part is maintenance. Your garden will need the least amount of care. No watering required just the normal rains will help them suffice. Their hunger levels are low too. Just feed them with fertilizer once a year in spring and they will be good to go.
• Give them lots of vitamin D (sunlight) and make sure they have proper drainage or else their roots will rot.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS

• The sand should be of good quality.
• The grit component is the second important part. Most popular grit components are pumice, and small pebbles.
• The compost component can be similar to the normal potting soil . Make sure your compost component does not attract unwanted pests for you succulents and cacti and ruin them.

DO IT YOURSELF IDEAS

• Buy a glass container and plant cacti and other succulents. Add pebbles to it and voila, a conversation starter worthy centerpiece is ready.
• Buy a wooden plank with sides and some chicken mesh. Add some moss and soil mixture. Place your cacti creatively and hang it. A perfect green wall art to add to the decor of your house
• Build a cacti garden surrounding the sidewalk or a fountain for that quintessential sophisticated look. Make small, easy to carry container cacti garden or plant them in beautiful colored pots and gift your friends and relatives an eco friendly present.

Add love in your life with these pretty thorns and build yourself a maintenance free garden.

HAPPY GARDENING 🙂

Written by Nishta Chakravorty for GreenMyLife