One substantial cactus species that can be grown indoors is the San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi). They are no harder to care for than any other cacti because they need the same fundamental maintenance as other plants. You can grow a San Pedro cactus in your own home if the soil, light, and water are right.
Desert Cactus
One of the 131 Echinopsis cacti species is the San Pedro cactus. The Andes, which are located between Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru, is where they originally came from. San Pedro cacti can thrive in plenty of warmth and light and grow quickly and tall, but they can also grow in partial shade. Established San Pedro cacti can withstand drought conditions and only need light watering.
San Pedro cacti can withstand temperatures as low as 37 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit because they are cold and hardy. Although immature cacti in hot climates can burn under direct sunlight, mature cacti can withstand it.
Characteristics of San Pedro Cactus
Mescaline, a commonly occurring hallucinogen, is present in San Pedro cacti, including their flowers and fruits. Although it has historically been used in many South American medicines and religious rituals, ingestion is prohibited in the majority of nations. However, mescaline can poison children, animals, and even adults who unintentionally consume large doses of it. For these reasons, it’s best to refrain from using mescaline.
Indoor San Pedro Cactus Growing
Soil is the first step in growing a San Pedro cactus indoors. San Pedro cacti require soil that is aerate and permeable. This will stop water from accumulating in the pot and flooding the soil, which could result in root rot and other issues. With the addition of perlite, sand, gravel, or pumice, soil can be made more porous. To make sure the soil has everything your cactus needs to thrive, look for a starter cactus potting soil mix.
Soil should be poured into the pot halfway, then levelled. To plant the cactus in the pot, carefully excavate a hole that is 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Up until the roots are completely covered, add soil and tightly pack it around the cactus. The cactus should be watered until the soil is moist but not saturated.
San Pedro Cactus Watering
Use the bottom-watering technique to give your cactus water once a week. Dip the pot so the water seeps through the drainage holes at the bottom into a sink or container that has been filled with two inches of water. Once the soil has become damp, remove it from the water. If you decide to water the cactus with a watering can, water it in intervals over the course of the week to avoid overwatering.
Between October and April, San Pedro cacti go dormant and don’t need to be watered. Watering now will either cause the roots to rot or will foster the growth of bacteria, which will result in infections.
Liquid fertilisers are beneficial to San Pedro cacti as well. Apply a liquid fertiliser in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions once the cactus has established itself in the container, typically four to six weeks after planting.
San Pedro And Sunlight
Place the San Pedro cactus in an area that receives both shade and sunlight throughout the day to gradually acclimatise it to sunlight. You could also place your cactus in the early or late sun.
Make sure your cactus gets enough light while it grows indoors after it becomes accustomed to sunlight. The cactus could also be placed outside in full sunlight, but you must water it frequently or the soil will quickly dry out.
If you wanna see this plant at your home then you can easily buy it at a nearby garden centre.