Cactus has long been popular in hot climates, especially Mexico. Where cacti are a common plant, the locals have learned to take advantage of it. Nowadays, cacti are common as domestic plants around the world. So what properties does it have and how does it affect a person?
The harm and benefits of cactus in the house
Cactus is an amazing and healthy flower. One of its advantages is the absorption of electromagnetic rays emanating from a TV or computer monitor. People who put a cactus on a computer table, effectively protect themselves from electromagnetic radiation.
A microwave oven also comes under the influence of a cactus. This wonderful plant eliminates microwaves, thereby protecting its owners.
Meanwhile, by placing a cactus on the windowsill, the owner protects himself from solar radiation.
Common Benefits of Cactus
Cactus is actively used around the world. For example, at home they prepare sweets from it (jam, jelly, compote). For such purposes, echinocactus and melocactus are excellent. It is only necessary to cook finely chopped pieces of cacti in sugar syrup. For jam, the fruits of prickly pear, that is, various non-toxic species of cactus, are used.
Cactus is actively used in various industries. From its fruits receive the following:
Hygiene products (deodorant, soap, various gels)
· Alcohol (liqueurs and wines based on cactus)
· Additives to poultry feed
· Food (drinks and sweets)
This plant is common in medicine. Cactus flowers are used to produce vitamins and hormones, and poultices are made from berries to treat various bone injuries.
Cactus in the treatment: properties and benefits
The most common advantage of this plant is its antibacterial effect. Cactus juice is able to destroy bacteria, pathogens and fungi.
Cactus-based drugs perfectly inhibit inflammatory processes in the human body, and also positively affect the reproductive system.
Scientists have proven that cactus-based therapies stimulate blood circulation activity, are able to favorably affect mild arrhythmias and angina pectoris.
Cactus juice is used for rheumatism, and water and alcohol extracts of this amazing plant are used for hypotension and cardiovascular diseases.
How to care for a cactus?
The first thing that interests the newly minted cactus owner is where to put it? The best place for this flower is the windowsill on the sunny side of the house. In order for the cactus to have enough light, you should not keep it on the window with the blinds, but if you really want to put the plant on a table or curbstone, it is necessary to provide that sunlight reaches this place.
It is important to note that the windowsill, under which there is a warm battery, can ruin the life of a cactus. In this case, a heat-insulating flower stand will help.
As for irrigation, cacti need to be watered with clean water (boiled or filtered), which must be infused for about a day so that the water temperature is at room temperature. The frequency and volume of watering depends on the lighting and humidity in the room. Do not water the cactus stem, it is better to do this along the edges of the pot.
It is not recommended to move a pot with a cactus, since this plant does not tolerate a change of place, but you need to transplant it at least once a year.
Flower lovers or just responsible owners will think about fertilizer. Cactus is recommended to be fertilized from March to September (7 months), every 2 weeks. More information can be found on the fertilizer packaging.
Signs about cacti
People tend to believe in signs and many consider it necessary to read all the superstitions associated with a new purchase. Cactus is a wonderful plant, but because of its aggressive appearance, people have for many years seen it as the cause of their failures. This useful and unpretentious flower was accused of the following:
· Where the cactus stands, the man will not stay long;
· If a person is presented with a cactus, then his relationship will end.
Of course, a flower will not affect the relationship between people. The problem must be sought in yourself, and not in a houseplant.
· Cactus flowering means pregnancy of its mistress.
Such a sign appeared due to the association of a rarely flowering plant with the advent of a new life.
Cactus Myths
1. Cacti do not like moisture
Cacti need regular watering, like all plants. Yes, stagnation of water can lead to the death of a flower, but this does not mean that cacti are not dependent on water. The lack of constant watering does not allow them to develop normally and bloom.
2. Cacti do not like transplanting
Cacti need a mandatory annual transplant, because it stimulates them to grow and develop.
3. Cacti need constant fertilizer
This myth is popular among those who are chasing the acceleration of the flowering process of a cactus. In fact, overfeeding a plant with fertilizers can lead to death and achieve flowering, in which case it will not succeed at all.
4. Rapid growth indicates the good condition of the cactus
If the cactus grows rapidly, then this may indicate overfeeding of the plant and excessive care for it. Develops faster - dies faster.
What types of cactus are harmful to human health
For medicinal purposes, cacti have no contraindications. As for the content of this flower at home, the issue is debatable. Many people whom the cactus is alarmed by their appearance attribute to it a lot of negative characteristics, and also blame all their troubles.
In fact, a cactus does absolutely no harm to humans. The plant must be looked after. If a flower receives everything that it needs, then it will not scare anyone.
But in the use of cacti there are limitations. Several species can be dangerous for humans: provoke auditory and visual hallucinations, cause a disorder of some body systems. The following types of cacti have a negative effect:
Lofofora Williams
Lofofora Lutea
· Lofofora hedgehog
· Turbinicarpus
These types of cacti grow mainly in South America, their breeding is prohibited by law.
The harmful effects of cactus on pets
Pets, although smart, are mostly prone to natural instincts. Dogs, for example, like to chew on something. Of course, this is due to physiology, because in this way the pet shows that it is lonely, painful, boring, and the puppies also learn the world. This is precisely the danger of a cactus for dogs, because if a pet does not have special toys, he can also gnaw a thorny plant. Even if the cactus is not toxic to the dog, it will still bring a lot of discomfort. Spines can get stuck in the oral cavity and internal organs of the dog, which can lead to a sad outcome.
Cats have another problem - they lack greenery. Since cats lick all the time, lumps of wool get stuck in their gastrointestinal tract. Plants affect cats as a laxative. But when the cat tries to induce vomiting, it selects the cactus. Cacti can cause intoxication in cats.
Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that cacti to pets are not friends. It is necessary to try to limit as much as possible access for pets to this unusual plant in order to save both the life of a pet and a cactus.
Few know about the benefits and harms of a cactus, despite the fact that it is in almost every home. Care and a positive attitude towards the plant will give a chance to use all the useful properties of an exotic cactus.
