Echinopsis subdenudata Care and Propagation Guide
The Echinopsis subdenudata cactus is round and includes a singular green stem that includes several ribs, areoles and short spines that are barely visible. The stem is green in color and blooms flowers that are white in color and give off a pleasant fragrance. These flowers bloom in spring and summer.
Echinopsis subdenudata care generally includes bright sun, infrequent watering and a well-draining soil mix to ensure proper growing conditions.
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Echinopsis subdenudata Care Guide
Echinopsis subdenudata plants come in all shapes and sizes. They can also have flowers of many different colors in the same plant due to hybridization.
Most cacti only flower once a year, but Echinopsis subdenudata plants can bloom all year round if the temperature stays at a minimum of 21 degrees Celsius. That is, provided they are cared for properly. Here’s how to take care of your Echinopsis subdenudata plant:
Light
Sunlight is great for all plants, especially plants like Echinopsis subdenudata which thrive during the summers.
However, too much sunlight can end up burning your plants. Watch out for discoloration on the edges of the plant. Reduce the exposure to sunlight and let the plant sit in shady areas if you see any signs of sunburn.
Watering
Watering depends largely on the season. The plants will be blooming in the summers and will require more water. They start becoming dormant once the temperature starts falling, so water them conservatively during the winter and fall.
How often you water your Echinopsis subdenudata also depends on the soil, pot design and size. Pro tip—stick a pencil in the pot to check water saturation in the soil. If the pencil comes out dry or with very little water, it is time to water the plant.
Whenever you water the plant, make sure to fill the pot completely so that the soil is saturated with water.
Soil
Fast draining soil is ideal for Echinopsis subdenudata plants. Water retention can be harmful to the roots of the plants. It can end up damaging or killing the plant.
Add pebbles to the soil to help drainage and use sand to make a fast-draining top layer for the plant. The Echinopsis subdenudata cacti have shallow roots, so the size of the pot doesn’t matter.
If you’re thinking of growing your Echinopsis subdenudata plant in the ground instead of a pot, you need to be extra careful with the watering. While it isn’t harmful to the plant, planting it in your garden or backyard does have some disadvantages.
For example, if temperatures drop very low in your area, the water in the cactus will freeze up. If the cactus is in a pot, you can move the pot indoors to prevent this. If your cactus is planted in the ground, there is no way to avoid it.
Fertilizing
You can use a fertilizer two to three times during the growing season of the Echinopsis subdenudata plant. Liquid fertilizer with a balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is ideal for cacti.
Avoid fertilizers during the dormant period.
Pests and Diseases
Thankfully, the Echinopsis subdenudata cacti are not prone to many pests or diseases. The main enemy of an Echinopsis subdenudata plant is root or stem rot.
This is caused by high water retention. Make sure that the drainage of the pot is up to scratch and that you don’t overwater the plant.
How to Propagate Echinopsis subdenudata
Propagating Echinopsis subdenudata plants can be easy or hard depending on the exact species. However, if you take care of a few tips and make sure to propagate during the growing season, you are guaranteed to have a decent yield.
There will be offsets clustered at the base of your Echinopsis subdenudata plant. Let them grow to an inch or more in length before cutting them. Always cut at the narrowest part of the offset.
Let the offsets dry out on a paper towel till the wounds dry out or form callouses. Next, place them in a soil mix identical to that of the mother plant (preferably a fast-draining soil).
The plant should take root in a few weeks. Once this happens, repot the plant. There you have it! A new Echinopsis subdenudata sapling propagated from your plant.